Royal Fashion Awards: The Prince & Princess of Monaco's Wedding Ball

I suppose you could call the evening event after the religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene a dinner or something, but isn't "ball" so much more glamorous? And fitting, since we finally have gowns and bling to drool over! Feast your eyes on this lovely rainbow of royal ladies:

Best of the Monaco Bunch

Charlotte Casiraghi

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover (and Monaco), Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Beatrice Borromeo

A fairly typical evening all around for the lovely ladies of Monaco, no? Caroline added headgear but kept her nonchalant stance with a tea length dress, Stephanie continued her headgear aversion, Beatrice sparkled, and Tatiana scowled. But Charlotte won the night for me: she has a cape! Capes are awesome! Add gloves and you've got something Princess Grace would have worn back in her heyday. (Though I am sad that this pretty much confirms what I've been afraid of: I don't think we'll ever see Charlotte in a tiara.)

Worst in Black and/or Navy

The Duchess of Braganza

L to R: the Countess of Paris, the Hereditary Princess of Baden, the Duchess of Braganza, Princess Sara al Faisal of Jordan, Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia

The evening ranged from not-so-banner to meh for these ladies. I'm a little concerned about Princess Sara on account of the giant ruffle streaking across her body (never a good idea, you know), but the Duchess of Braganza is the cause of my greatest sadness. She just seems like such a cute lady, but with the same dressing problems as Maria Teresa tends to have. (Speaking of which: I haven't yet found a picture of Maria Teresa from this evening yet.)

Best in Royal Blue

Queen Silvia

L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Princess Virginia Ira von Fürstenberg, Queen Silvia of Sweden, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Queen Paola of the Belgians

Love a strong royal blue on a lady, even when it is a little matronly (Sophie of Wessex, I'm looking at you), or a little hidden (poor Sophie of Liechtenstein - hopefully a better shot of her will turn up soon). Madame Silvia and her crystal ball clutch win this category for me, and I absolutely picked the one shot that made it look like a fortune teller situation. Perhaps she was the evening entertainment...or perhaps she was just engaging in what I'm sure a lot of the guests were doing: some serious speculation.

Best in Blues and Grays

Princess Madeleine

L to R: Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the Duchess of Anjou, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Here we have some serious contenders representing the lighter blue/silver end of the rainbow, my favorite being Princess Madeleine in her frilly wonder gown. Mette-Marit's very typical, the Duchess of Anjou's brought a version of the princess-y dream that Tatiana Blatnik wore to Victoria's wedding, and Máxima's worn a tiered lampshade. (And I totally love it. Lampshades are great for boogying and shimmying.)

Worst in Prints

Princess Sophie of Isenburg

L to R: Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand, Princess Sophie of Isenburg, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia

As with the wedding ceremony, the ladies in traditional dress are showing the rest of them how it's done. Our Russian friend came dangerously close to winning another award, but since I believe in sharing the love, I'm giving this one to Sophie. Once I saw the loose fabric around the waist, I couldn't see anything else. Let's hope for a better fit on her wedding gown!

Best in Pale Pinks and Such

Empress Farah Pahlavi

L to R: Princess Claire of Belgium, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, Princess Marie of Denmark, Princess Ursula of Bavaria

Here's a category of dresses that I really want to like, but can't quite wrap my brain around. Claire and Ursula are looking a little bunched up, and Marie and Victoria look like their dress designers took inspiration from the princess dress-up section of the store. So I'll go with Farah Pahlavi for the win, because her spin on menswear is kinda cute and kicky.

Best in Hot Pink and/or Red

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: the Margravine of Baden, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the Princess of Naples, Crown Princess Margarita of Romania

Much better results on the stronger end of the color range! (Save the Margravine of Baden, sadly. See: my concerns about ruffles with Princess Sara, above.) The Princess of Naples made a strong comeback from earlier in the day with this simple red sheath, and Margarita of Romania looks perfectly appropriate. Mathilde and Mary are the ones stealing my heart here. Mathilde, for her giant water slide of a dress from the wedding master himself, Armani: so bold! Mary's my best of the night in the boldest color yet - hot pink and purple. Rarely a good color combo, and yet I will love this dress forever. Go figure!

Worst Dressed

The Duchess of Castro

L to R: Princess Astrid of Belgium, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, the Duchess of Castro, Princess Michael of Kent

And now, drumroll please, the worst of the evening. Astrid, my dear, that is a LOT of yellow. Clotilde, I'm sure that's high fashion and all, but don't you have any love for simply looking pretty? Marie Christine, you need to size up that deconstructed fifties ball gown before your cups actually runneth over. And Camilla, the Barbie...you were almost the worst of the day at the wedding ceremony, and now you've sealed the deal. This is like a prison uniform from hell.

UPDATE: With many thanks to those that sent her in, here's Luxembourg's own Grand Duchess Maria Teresa!

And another entry for the navy/black/meh category. The wait to see her was a little anti-climactic, I must say.

Also, here is Lalla Soukaina of Morocco:

Usually, I find the caftans so elegant, but not this time. And it has nothing to do with the caftan.

Tiaras deserve their own recognition, so click here to see all the bling.

Who made your best- and worst-dressed at the evening party?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PPE/Newscom/Svenskdam/Hola/Hello

Royal Fashion Awards: The Prince & Princess of Monaco's Wedding Ball

I suppose you could call the evening event after the religious wedding of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene a dinner or something, but isn't "ball" so much more glamorous? And fitting, since we finally have gowns and bling to drool over! Feast your eyes on this lovely rainbow of royal ladies:

Best of the Monaco Bunch

Charlotte Casiraghi

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover (and Monaco), Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi, Tatiana Santo Domingo, Beatrice Borromeo

A fairly typical evening all around for the lovely ladies of Monaco, no? Caroline added headgear but kept her nonchalant stance with a tea length dress, Stephanie continued her headgear aversion, Beatrice sparkled, and Tatiana scowled. But Charlotte won the night for me: she has a cape! Capes are awesome! Add gloves and you've got something Princess Grace would have worn back in her heyday. (Though I am sad that this pretty much confirms what I've been afraid of: I don't think we'll ever see Charlotte in a tiara.)

Worst in Black and/or Navy

The Duchess of Braganza

L to R: the Countess of Paris, the Hereditary Princess of Baden, the Duchess of Braganza, Princess Sara al Faisal of Jordan, Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia

The evening ranged from not-so-banner to meh for these ladies. I'm a little concerned about Princess Sara on account of the giant ruffle streaking across her body (never a good idea, you know), but the Duchess of Braganza is the cause of my greatest sadness. She just seems like such a cute lady, but with the same dressing problems as Maria Teresa tends to have. (Speaking of which: I haven't yet found a picture of Maria Teresa from this evening yet.)

Best in Royal Blue

Queen Silvia

L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Princess Virginia Ira von Fürstenberg, Queen Silvia of Sweden, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Queen Paola of the Belgians

Love a strong royal blue on a lady, even when it is a little matronly (Sophie of Wessex, I'm looking at you), or a little hidden (poor Sophie of Liechtenstein - hopefully a better shot of her will turn up soon). Madame Silvia and her crystal ball clutch win this category for me, and I absolutely picked the one shot that made it look like a fortune teller situation. Perhaps she was the evening entertainment...or perhaps she was just engaging in what I'm sure a lot of the guests were doing: some serious speculation.

Best in Blues and Grays

Princess Madeleine

L to R: Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, the Duchess of Anjou, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Here we have some serious contenders representing the lighter blue/silver end of the rainbow, my favorite being Princess Madeleine in her frilly wonder gown. Mette-Marit's very typical, the Duchess of Anjou's brought a version of the princess-y dream that Tatiana Blatnik wore to Victoria's wedding, and Máxima's worn a tiered lampshade. (And I totally love it. Lampshades are great for boogying and shimmying.)

Worst in Prints

Princess Sophie of Isenburg

L to R: Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand, Princess Sophie of Isenburg, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia

As with the wedding ceremony, the ladies in traditional dress are showing the rest of them how it's done. Our Russian friend came dangerously close to winning another award, but since I believe in sharing the love, I'm giving this one to Sophie. Once I saw the loose fabric around the waist, I couldn't see anything else. Let's hope for a better fit on her wedding gown!

Best in Pale Pinks and Such

Empress Farah Pahlavi

L to R: Princess Claire of Belgium, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, Princess Marie of Denmark, Princess Ursula of Bavaria

Here's a category of dresses that I really want to like, but can't quite wrap my brain around. Claire and Ursula are looking a little bunched up, and Marie and Victoria look like their dress designers took inspiration from the princess dress-up section of the store. So I'll go with Farah Pahlavi for the win, because her spin on menswear is kinda cute and kicky.

Best in Hot Pink and/or Red

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: the Margravine of Baden, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the Princess of Naples, Crown Princess Margarita of Romania

Much better results on the stronger end of the color range! (Save the Margravine of Baden, sadly. See: my concerns about ruffles with Princess Sara, above.) The Princess of Naples made a strong comeback from earlier in the day with this simple red sheath, and Margarita of Romania looks perfectly appropriate. Mathilde and Mary are the ones stealing my heart here. Mathilde, for her giant water slide of a dress from the wedding master himself, Armani: so bold! Mary's my best of the night in the boldest color yet - hot pink and purple. Rarely a good color combo, and yet I will love this dress forever. Go figure!

Worst Dressed

The Duchess of Castro

L to R: Princess Astrid of Belgium, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, the Duchess of Castro, Princess Michael of Kent

And now, drumroll please, the worst of the evening. Astrid, my dear, that is a LOT of yellow. Clotilde, I'm sure that's high fashion and all, but don't you have any love for simply looking pretty? Marie Christine, you need to size up that deconstructed fifties ball gown before your cups actually runneth over. And Camilla, the Barbie...you were almost the worst of the day at the wedding ceremony, and now you've sealed the deal. This is like a prison uniform from hell.

UPDATE: With many thanks to those that sent her in, here's Luxembourg's own Grand Duchess Maria Teresa!

And another entry for the navy/black/meh category. The wait to see her was a little anti-climactic, I must say.

Also, here is Lalla Soukaina of Morocco:

Usually, I find the caftans so elegant, but not this time. And it has nothing to do with the caftan.

Tiaras deserve their own recognition, so click here to see all the bling.

Who made your best- and worst-dressed at the evening party?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PPE/Newscom/Svenskdam/Hola/Hello

Royal Fashion Awards: The Concert and Reception in Monaco

After Prince Albert and his new Princess were civilly married, they headed for a party, and they took their motley crew with them. Also joining in the festivities were a handful of the foreign royals in town for the religious wedding, and thank heavens for that: clearly we needed a little dress code assistance, and you know our crown princesses always bring it. The royals were split between a reception held at a hotel and a concert by Jean-Michel Jarre, and here's what they wore:

Best of Caroline's Crew

Charlotte Casiraghi

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover and Monaco, Princess Alexandra, Charlotte Casiraghi

The beachiest of the lot at the civil ceremony, Caroline and her girls decided not to bother with a change of clothes for the evening festivities. So I have to give Charlotte the award here, for at least putting in the effort to throw on a sparkly bolero and some sparkly shoes. As you know, adding a little disco ball to the affair will always win points in this realm.

Best of Stephanie's Crew

Pauline Ducruet

L to R: Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stephanie of Monaco

Apparently Stephanie's moment of glory from earlier today was fleeting indeed, as she seems to have regressed to her regular fare. (Cue a gasp of shock from absolutely no one.) So we'll give this prize to Pauline, for pure seated potential.

Best of the Neutrals

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

L to R: Princess Marie of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands

Marie has such a 1995 aesthetic, you just have to nod and smile. (And ponder if she has something to share with us, especially after her most recent appearance. I mean, I detest the baby bump game, but...the hamster wheel inside my head, it turns.) Máxima brought her game - I think she knew the Grimaldis would need a little help - but at the end of the day, I think Mette-Marit's looking the best here. Tremendously normal for her, but I like it. (Though I am now officially overly excited to see what Máxima wears tomorrow!)

Best in Color

The Duchess of Anjou

 L to R: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the Duchess of Anjou, Princess Mathilde of Belgium

Mary's dress gets a pass, but I like her statement earrings best of all. Mathilde also went the statement earring route, but sadly she also went the statement dress, statement shoes, and statement bracelet route at the same time. Looks like a Christmas tree, poor dear. I'm giving this ribbon to a brand-spankin' new royal on the blog: Margarita, the Duchess of Anjou! The sleeves keep it royal, while the skirt length and the sassy shoes keep it concert-ish. Well played, Duchess. Welcome to the Order.

Best Second Attempt

Princess Charlene

 

Okay, let's try this again: here's the Chanel gown/jumper/romper/thing, this time without your grandmother's suit jacket. If she stands really still, so I can try and erase that part of my memory that knows that this is trousers and not a skirt, I could fall in love. It's feminine, and all the detail on the bodice helps to get rid of the lingerie feel. She also took a page from Charlotte's book and added in a little disco ball glam in the form of a new necklace (gold, diamonds, giant pearls?):

Alas, I have a mind like steel trap (no comments from the peanut gallery, please), and I can't forget. I also truly can't understand why she didn't change. You're the bride! You can have as many outfit changes as you want, girl! You just made it work when you didn't have to, and there's no excuse for that.

Do you like Charlene's second attempt? Who's your favorite for the evening festivities?

Photos: Albert Nieboer/dpa/picture alliance/Newscom/Hola/Getty Images/Daylife/Gerard Julien/AFP

Royal Fashion Awards: The Concert and Reception in Monaco

After Prince Albert and his new Princess were civilly married, they headed for a party, and they took their motley crew with them. Also joining in the festivities were a handful of the foreign royals in town for the religious wedding, and thank heavens for that: clearly we needed a little dress code assistance, and you know our crown princesses always bring it. The royals were split between a reception held at a hotel and a concert by Jean-Michel Jarre, and here's what they wore:

Best of Caroline's Crew

Charlotte Casiraghi

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover and Monaco, Princess Alexandra, Charlotte Casiraghi

The beachiest of the lot at the civil ceremony, Caroline and her girls decided not to bother with a change of clothes for the evening festivities. So I have to give Charlotte the award here, for at least putting in the effort to throw on a sparkly bolero and some sparkly shoes. As you know, adding a little disco ball to the affair will always win points in this realm.

Best of Stephanie's Crew

Pauline Ducruet

L to R: Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet, Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stephanie of Monaco

Apparently Stephanie's moment of glory from earlier today was fleeting indeed, as she seems to have regressed to her regular fare. (Cue a gasp of shock from absolutely no one.) So we'll give this prize to Pauline, for pure seated potential.

Best of the Neutrals

Crown Princess Mette-Marit

L to R: Princess Marie of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands

Marie has such a 1995 aesthetic, you just have to nod and smile. (And ponder if she has something to share with us, especially after her most recent appearance. I mean, I detest the baby bump game, but...the hamster wheel inside my head, it turns.) Máxima brought her game - I think she knew the Grimaldis would need a little help - but at the end of the day, I think Mette-Marit's looking the best here. Tremendously normal for her, but I like it. (Though I am now officially overly excited to see what Máxima wears tomorrow!)

Best in Color

The Duchess of Anjou

 L to R: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the Duchess of Anjou, Princess Mathilde of Belgium

Mary's dress gets a pass, but I like her statement earrings best of all. Mathilde also went the statement earring route, but sadly she also went the statement dress, statement shoes, and statement bracelet route at the same time. Looks like a Christmas tree, poor dear. I'm giving this ribbon to a brand-spankin' new royal on the blog: Margarita, the Duchess of Anjou! The sleeves keep it royal, while the skirt length and the sassy shoes keep it concert-ish. Well played, Duchess. Welcome to the Order.

Best Second Attempt

Princess Charlene

 

Okay, let's try this again: here's the Chanel gown/jumper/romper/thing, this time without your grandmother's suit jacket. If she stands really still, so I can try and erase that part of my memory that knows that this is trousers and not a skirt, I could fall in love. It's feminine, and all the detail on the bodice helps to get rid of the lingerie feel. She also took a page from Charlotte's book and added in a little disco ball glam in the form of a new necklace (gold, diamonds, giant pearls?):

Alas, I have a mind like steel trap (no comments from the peanut gallery, please), and I can't forget. I also truly can't understand why she didn't change. You're the bride! You can have as many outfit changes as you want, girl! You just made it work when you didn't have to, and there's no excuse for that.

Do you like Charlene's second attempt? Who's your favorite for the evening festivities?

Photos: Albert Nieboer/dpa/picture alliance/Newscom/Hola/Getty Images/Daylife/Gerard Julien/AFP

Royal Fashion Awards: The Prince & Princess of Monaco's Civil Wedding

Oh, those Grimaldis. They always seem to look like they just couldn't quite get the whole picture pulled together. Case in point: the absurdly curious dress code at today's civil wedding ceremony for Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock. Let's all hold hands and figure it out together:

Best in Balcony

Princess Alexandra

 Left to Right: Pauline Ducruet, Princess Alexandra, Camille Gottlieb

The dress code confusion, you see, starts young. Stephanie's daughter Pauline and Caroline's daughter Alexandra look appropriate for a summer wedding, while Stephanie's other daughter Camille has come dressed for a costume cocktail party. We'll give this one to Alexandra, on account of the fact that I like her fancy little hairdo.

Best Beach Outfit

Charlotte Casiraghi

What a perfect outfit for a beach stroll, picnic basket in hand, maybe a dog or two tagging along. Well, maybe a beach wedding, if you want to get picky about your tulle usage. But a royal wedding in a palace? Not so much! (Also, memo to Charlotte: we know you like to do your pouty thing so we're sure to know that you're too cool for your surroundings, but you might want to pack it away for a wedding at which everybody already thinks the bride's about to bolt. People talk, you know.)

Worst Combination

Princess Caroline

Chanel dress: love it. Chanel dress a few inches too short with those shoes and a straw hat the size of Monaco: oh, no. Another recipient of the beach party dress code invitation, apparently.

Best of the Day

Princess Stephanie

Mark this down. Write it on your calendars: Princess Stephanie's got the best outfit of the day. It's hard to get past, you know, the tan, but this is completely classy. Clearly she received the covered up cocktail hour dress code.

Best Dress Code

The Gentlemen

 L to R: Andrea Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi, Louis Ducruet

Men have it so easy sometimes. Suit, tie, go. Le sigh. (No, I don't know what Andrea is smelling there.)

Most Questionable Bridal Dress Code

Princess Charlene

Kudos to Charlene for forging new territory in the land of civil wedding dresses, I guess - that territory being the land of half-formal, half-nightie pant suits, apparently! Charlene went to Chanel for her civil wedding look, and it's a head scratcher for sure. A strapless gown/jumper/romper underneath the traditional Chanel jacket in a most curious length and with one button undone, adding to my confusion. (She took the jacket off for the evening concert, see it here.) It's curiously matronly.

But since she is the bride, we can't deny her some praise: the brand-new Princess of Monaco was rocking some seriously fantastic hair and makeup. Also, this color is amazing on her. Mediterranean blue!

And she did look radiant. Perhaps a wee bit awkward with Albert (I'm not going to post the pics of them kissing, you're welcome), but absolutely glowing. My eyebrows are half raised and ready to see what new religious wedding gown territory she feels like blazing!

Who was your best- and worst-dressed for the civil wedding? And what's your take on the wedding trousers?

Still to come: concert fun, and tomorrow's religious wedding! Stay tuned!

Photos: Reuters/AP Photo/Daylife/Getty Images/Shaun Botterill/PP

Royal Fashion Awards: The Prince & Princess of Monaco's Civil Wedding

Oh, those Grimaldis. They always seem to look like they just couldn't quite get the whole picture pulled together. Case in point: the absurdly curious dress code at today's civil wedding ceremony for Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock. Let's all hold hands and figure it out together:

Best in Balcony

Princess Alexandra

 Left to Right: Pauline Ducruet, Princess Alexandra, Camille Gottlieb

The dress code confusion, you see, starts young. Stephanie's daughter Pauline and Caroline's daughter Alexandra look appropriate for a summer wedding, while Stephanie's other daughter Camille has come dressed for a costume cocktail party. We'll give this one to Alexandra, on account of the fact that I like her fancy little hairdo.

Best Beach Outfit

Charlotte Casiraghi

What a perfect outfit for a beach stroll, picnic basket in hand, maybe a dog or two tagging along. Well, maybe a beach wedding, if you want to get picky about your tulle usage. But a royal wedding in a palace? Not so much! (Also, memo to Charlotte: we know you like to do your pouty thing so we're sure to know that you're too cool for your surroundings, but you might want to pack it away for a wedding at which everybody already thinks the bride's about to bolt. People talk, you know.)

Worst Combination

Princess Caroline

Chanel dress: love it. Chanel dress a few inches too short with those shoes and a straw hat the size of Monaco: oh, no. Another recipient of the beach party dress code invitation, apparently.

Best of the Day

Princess Stephanie

Mark this down. Write it on your calendars: Princess Stephanie's got the best outfit of the day. It's hard to get past, you know, the tan, but this is completely classy. Clearly she received the covered up cocktail hour dress code.

Best Dress Code

The Gentlemen

 L to R: Andrea Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi, Louis Ducruet

Men have it so easy sometimes. Suit, tie, go. Le sigh. (No, I don't know what Andrea is smelling there.)

Most Questionable Bridal Dress Code

Princess Charlene

Kudos to Charlene for forging new territory in the land of civil wedding dresses, I guess - that territory being the land of half-formal, half-nightie pant suits, apparently! Charlene went to Chanel for her civil wedding look, and it's a head scratcher for sure. A strapless gown/jumper/romper underneath the traditional Chanel jacket in a most curious length and with one button undone, adding to my confusion. (She took the jacket off for the evening concert, see it here.) It's curiously matronly.

But since she is the bride, we can't deny her some praise: the brand-new Princess of Monaco was rocking some seriously fantastic hair and makeup. Also, this color is amazing on her. Mediterranean blue!

And she did look radiant. Perhaps a wee bit awkward with Albert (I'm not going to post the pics of them kissing, you're welcome), but absolutely glowing. My eyebrows are half raised and ready to see what new religious wedding gown territory she feels like blazing!

Who was your best- and worst-dressed for the civil wedding? And what's your take on the wedding trousers?

Still to come: concert fun, and tomorrow's religious wedding! Stay tuned!

Photos: Reuters/AP Photo/Daylife/Getty Images/Shaun Botterill/PP

Royal Fashion Awards: Luxembourg's National Day

Yesterday was National Day in Luxembourg! You know how I love it when the Lux royals come out to play. The family attends the Te Deum mass, and then the Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke review troops and watch a parade with the Grand Duchess. And they get all dressed up and everything:

Best Pepto Bismol

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

THIS IS A LOT OF PINK. I like the shape on her. I certainly do like my Grand Duchess in a bit of color and a pillbox hat. And yet...THIS IS A LOT OF PINK. Also, I'm concerned that the thing on her shoulder might be trying to eat her alive.

Worst U.M.O.

Princess Tessy

What's a U.M.O., you ask? It's an Unidentified Millinery Object. I feel like if Dale Chihuly did hats, this is the hat that Dale Chihuly would do. Except that he'd do it in a rainbow, and I'd probably have to like it on principle if he did. But he didn't, so I'm out. (And so, probably, are the rest of you that have no clue what in Chihuly hell I'm on about.) I'll say this for it: girlfriend seems to be working it. And so is her husband...really, Louis? A matching tie?

Worst Raincoat
Princess Alexandra

Look how lovely Princess Alexandra is. Another Alexandra to add to my list of royals that I want to hang with. And that's why this coat pains me so. Standing still, it's passable, but in action (see her walk here)....no. Nooooo.

We usually get a picture or two of the gala (think: MT in a tiara), so I'll update when those pop up.

On the day before National Day, the family gets the party started by visiting various spots around the country: on Wednesday, the Grand Duke and Duchess visited the municipality of Niederanven, and the Hereditary Grand Duke and his sister Princess Alexandra visited Esch-sur-Alzette. Then the whole family comes out for a band performance and fireworks show in the evening.

Best in Day-Glo

Princess Alexandra

Once again, Alexandra has worn Natan, and once again, I am dubious. But this is fairly suited to her age (as far as Natan goes) so I'll buy in. If nothing else, it made her easy to spot in the crowd, right?

Best in Sparkle

Maria Teresa in the Evening

Here's MT in her (and my) beloved Elie Saab. And while I could quibble over fit and what have you, I won't. Because this is super elegant and classy. Also, it sparkles.

Best in Red

Maria Teresa in Niederanven and Tessy at the Concert/Fireworks

Looks like Maria Teresa has a red version of the purple dress we just saw in Norway! Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with Tessy here, either. Looks like she might have a little military flair going on in the jacket, which I love. (Also: Louis, if you're gonna match your tie to your wife, this is the way to go about it.)

Do you have any Luxembourg favorites?

Photos: PPE/v.d.Werf/Tageblatt