Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 17-23 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 17-23 July:

1. Visiting the exhibition on the couple's marriage, 21 July. Seems a bit formal, this repeated Cavalli, but I'm on board with the bright summer print. Quite youthful, unlike...
2. a) and b) Monaco Diamond League meeting at Louis II stadium in Monaco, 22 July...this one. She just aged a good decade.

Photos: Profimedia/Reuters/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 17-23 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 17-23 July:

1. Visiting the exhibition on the couple's marriage, 21 July. Seems a bit formal, this repeated Cavalli, but I'm on board with the bright summer print. Quite youthful, unlike...
2. a) and b) Monaco Diamond League meeting at Louis II stadium in Monaco, 22 July...this one. She just aged a good decade.

Photos: Profimedia/Reuters/Daylife

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 3 - 9 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 3-9 July:

1. Brunch the day after the wedding, 3 July. The Palace stated she'd be wearing a green strapless Armani Privé for the event...which this obviously isn't. Sad we didn't get to see her in green, but am loving the hair!
2. At a function before the opening of the IOC session in South Africa, 5 July. This hair I am not loving. What's going on there?
3. Lunch with the President of South Africa, 6 July. A much better use for this dress than last time!
4. At their second South African wedding reception, 7 July. Seems quite appropriate for the location, but I'm not a fan of how the lower part of the skirt appears to be detachable.
5. a) and b) With Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 8 July. Simple and smiling. A good way to end the week.

Photos: Just Jared/AP Photo/Daylife/Reuters

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 3 - 9 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 3-9 July:

1. Brunch the day after the wedding, 3 July. The Palace stated she'd be wearing a green strapless Armani Privé for the event...which this obviously isn't. Sad we didn't get to see her in green, but am loving the hair!
2. At a function before the opening of the IOC session in South Africa, 5 July. This hair I am not loving. What's going on there?
3. Lunch with the President of South Africa, 6 July. A much better use for this dress than last time!
4. At their second South African wedding reception, 7 July. Seems quite appropriate for the location, but I'm not a fan of how the lower part of the skirt appears to be detachable.
5. a) and b) With Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 8 July. Simple and smiling. A good way to end the week.

Photos: Just Jared/AP Photo/Daylife/Reuters

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Visiting Port Hercule in advance of the Jean-Michel Jarre concert, 28 June. The necklace is ridiculous. Naturally, I love it.
2. At The Eagles concert for their wedding, 30 June. The shoes are ridiculous. Naturally, I love them.
3. a) The civil wedding ceremony and b) the evening concert, 1 July. Yes, the palazzo pants would also fall under my category of ridiculousness. And naturally, I do not love them. Thankfully, they're so large you can barely detect what's really going on.
4. The religious wedding, 2 July. Now, this is bliss. Not a smacking of ridiculous to be had.
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Just okay for me, this one. Not bad at all, but not destined to hold a place in my memory.

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PurePeople

Week in Review: Princess Charlene, 26 June - 2 July

Here's what Charlene wore from 26 June - 2 July:

1. Visiting Port Hercule in advance of the Jean-Michel Jarre concert, 28 June. The necklace is ridiculous. Naturally, I love it.
2. At The Eagles concert for their wedding, 30 June. The shoes are ridiculous. Naturally, I love them.
3. a) The civil wedding ceremony and b) the evening concert, 1 July. Yes, the palazzo pants would also fall under my category of ridiculousness. And naturally, I do not love them. Thankfully, they're so large you can barely detect what's really going on.
4. The religious wedding, 2 July. Now, this is bliss. Not a smacking of ridiculous to be had.
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Just okay for me, this one. Not bad at all, but not destined to hold a place in my memory.

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/PurePeople

Flashback Friday: The Coronation of Albert II

In the wake of the dress code confusion and so forth from the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, I decided to take a look at the last major royal event held in Monaco: the celebrations surrounding Albert's coronation. I'm always game for reminiscing about Things Involving Tiaras, you know. Everybody buckle up in the time machine, we're shooting back to the National Day festivities of November 2005, including a public mass (which served as the coronation ceremony, basically) and a gala at the Opera: 
 

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover (and Monaco) at mass, Princess Stephanie of Monaco at mass, Charlotte Casiraghi at mass, Princess Caroline at the gala, Charlotte at the gala

Well, at least this one didn't have any beach party attendees! I loved Charlotte's fuzzy angel get-up for the mass, halo hat and all. This is how Charlotte does ladylike, and it wouldn't work on anyone else. But I'm less enamored of her evening wear, which is just a pregnancy rumor waiting to happen. Caroline's dress and coat are lovely, but with just Charlotte's Fringe Tiara worn as a necklace, she just wasn't up to par with the international royal ladies in attendance.

Speaking of international royal attendees, the first noticeable difference from the wedding is the numbers. Royals in attendance were:

• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
• The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
• The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein
• The Earl and the Countess of Wessex
• Prince Joachim of Denmark
• Prince Faisal bin al Hussein of Jordan
• The Prince and Princess of Venice and Piedmont
• Prince Serge of Yugoslavia and his wife
• Prince Carlo and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (now the Duke and Duchess of Castro)
• Prince Jean of France

The absence of royal presence from countries like Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain was widely interpreted as a snub to Monaco's new ruler. (Whether it actually was is up to your own interpretation as always; there are many valid reasons why those royals did not show up, including the baptism of Princess Alexia of the Netherlands taking place at the same time and the birth of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's son Sverre Magnus just a week or so later.)

L to R: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, Prince Serge of Yugoslavia's wife

Those that did show up represented the properly-hatted dress code well, with Victoria indulging in a red overdose and Clotilde Courau (the Princess of Venice and Piedmont) looking awfully chic. Such an event always produces odd hat news, and so we have Sophie of Liechtenstein in some sort of harsh flat-brimmed Amish affair, and Sophie of Wessex in yet another gravity-defying feat of millinery. Camilla, the Barbie Princess, turned up in a shockingly tasteful ensemble; thank your Gods for the horrors of post-Dynasty chapeaux, or else we wouldn't even be able to recognize her. And I actually really like what the wife of Prince Serge there is wearing...too bad she's not a senior enough royal to warrant better identification. (I think her name is Eleonora? And I think we could call her Princess Serge? But we'll stick with how she's usually identified: Prince Serge's wife. Lucky her.)

L to R: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Countess of Wessex, the wife of Prince Serge of Yugoslavia, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont 

And here begins the dress code confusion: I find it very strange that the host lady, Princess Caroline, didn't wear a proper tiara (on her head, as the Cartier Gods intended it to be), but the royal ladies did. Oh well, I shan't complain. Victoria wore a dress so trademark Victoria that she received a Barbie doll of herself in this outfit for her wedding, along with the Baden Fringe Tiara. Clotilde was back to her usual over-the-top sartorial tricks, topped off with one major sapphire necklace. And Sophie brought the best thing that came out of this event: a new tiara! This bad boy can also be one hefty aquamarine necklace.

Thus, we learn that there will always be some confusion when Monaco is involved, and that no matter what feelings of royal superiority one might have, all the world loves a wedding.

What was your favorite Coronation outfit?

Photos: Getty/Zimbio

Flashback Friday: The Coronation of Albert II

In the wake of the dress code confusion and so forth from the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock, I decided to take a look at the last major royal event held in Monaco: the celebrations surrounding Albert's coronation. I'm always game for reminiscing about Things Involving Tiaras, you know. Everybody buckle up in the time machine, we're shooting back to the National Day festivities of November 2005, including a public mass (which served as the coronation ceremony, basically) and a gala at the Opera: 
 

Left to Right: Princess Caroline of Hanover (and Monaco) at mass, Princess Stephanie of Monaco at mass, Charlotte Casiraghi at mass, Princess Caroline at the gala, Charlotte at the gala

Well, at least this one didn't have any beach party attendees! I loved Charlotte's fuzzy angel get-up for the mass, halo hat and all. This is how Charlotte does ladylike, and it wouldn't work on anyone else. But I'm less enamored of her evening wear, which is just a pregnancy rumor waiting to happen. Caroline's dress and coat are lovely, but with just Charlotte's Fringe Tiara worn as a necklace, she just wasn't up to par with the international royal ladies in attendance.

Speaking of international royal attendees, the first noticeable difference from the wedding is the numbers. Royals in attendance were:

• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
• The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
• The Hereditary Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein
• The Earl and the Countess of Wessex
• Prince Joachim of Denmark
• Prince Faisal bin al Hussein of Jordan
• The Prince and Princess of Venice and Piedmont
• Prince Serge of Yugoslavia and his wife
• Prince Carlo and Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (now the Duke and Duchess of Castro)
• Prince Jean of France

The absence of royal presence from countries like Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain was widely interpreted as a snub to Monaco's new ruler. (Whether it actually was is up to your own interpretation as always; there are many valid reasons why those royals did not show up, including the baptism of Princess Alexia of the Netherlands taking place at the same time and the birth of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's son Sverre Magnus just a week or so later.)

L to R: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, Prince Serge of Yugoslavia's wife

Those that did show up represented the properly-hatted dress code well, with Victoria indulging in a red overdose and Clotilde Courau (the Princess of Venice and Piedmont) looking awfully chic. Such an event always produces odd hat news, and so we have Sophie of Liechtenstein in some sort of harsh flat-brimmed Amish affair, and Sophie of Wessex in yet another gravity-defying feat of millinery. Camilla, the Barbie Princess, turned up in a shockingly tasteful ensemble; thank your Gods for the horrors of post-Dynasty chapeaux, or else we wouldn't even be able to recognize her. And I actually really like what the wife of Prince Serge there is wearing...too bad she's not a senior enough royal to warrant better identification. (I think her name is Eleonora? And I think we could call her Princess Serge? But we'll stick with how she's usually identified: Prince Serge's wife. Lucky her.)

L to R: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the Countess of Wessex, the wife of Prince Serge of Yugoslavia, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont 

And here begins the dress code confusion: I find it very strange that the host lady, Princess Caroline, didn't wear a proper tiara (on her head, as the Cartier Gods intended it to be), but the royal ladies did. Oh well, I shan't complain. Victoria wore a dress so trademark Victoria that she received a Barbie doll of herself in this outfit for her wedding, along with the Baden Fringe Tiara. Clotilde was back to her usual over-the-top sartorial tricks, topped off with one major sapphire necklace. And Sophie brought the best thing that came out of this event: a new tiara! This bad boy can also be one hefty aquamarine necklace.

Thus, we learn that there will always be some confusion when Monaco is involved, and that no matter what feelings of royal superiority one might have, all the world loves a wedding.

What was your favorite Coronation outfit?

Photos: Getty/Zimbio

Tiara Thursday: The Diamond Foam Tiara and Charlene's Wedding Gifts

Prior to the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, major names in jewelry were asked to submit sketches for a new tiara for Charlene Wittstock. Charlene and Prince Albert chose one of three designs submitted by jeweler Lorenz Bäumer, and that new tiara made its royal debut on the brand-new Princess of Monaco at the evening wedding ball.

Christened the Diamond Foam Tiara, the setting includes almost 60 carats of diamonds in a white gold setting. The largest diamond is a whopping 8 carats alone. I think it's pretty easy to see why this tiara attracted Charlene: not only is the piece as modern as her taste obviously is, the design of larger diamonds at the end of arcs of smaller precision-cut diamonds evokes the spray of crashing ocean waves. Appealing for the princess of a Mediterranean country to be sure, and definitely appealing when that princess happens to be a champion swimmer.

I'm not always a fan of modern tiara designs, but there are two things that are definitely better when it comes to new pieces: first, they are often designed to be convertible. This tiara can disassemble to become a large or small brooch or hairpiece. (It even comes with its own little screwdriver with a "C" on the handle for just such changes.) And second, information is often readily available when we're talking about new pieces. Here's a video in which the designer discusses the new tiara (well, he does if you speak French), and we get to see Charlene trying on the tiara.

Immediately, you'll notice the difference between the look of the tiara in the video and the look when Charlene wore it at the ball. Here's a screen shot from the video:

Worn like this, I think it's quite lovely. Looks like her head is exploding in diamonds, but if your head's going to explode, the sparks might as well be diamonds, right?

And here's a close up from the tiara's public debut:

She's reversed it, wearing the spray behind her left ear instead of her right as the design shows, which is probably depriving us of the full sparkle effect, and she's also tilted it so that it comes forward at a lower angle. Because of the difference in the angle, I think the tiara loses its three-dimensional effect. The diamonds are pressed right up against her hair:

So instead of looking like a tiara from the front, it looks as though she has Broadway microphones in her hair, or bugs sitting on her head or something. And I am left wondering why she wore it like this instead of the other way. Clearly, we're going to have to see it again.

The Diamond Foam Tiara is not the only significant piece of jewelry Charlene received as a wedding gift from Prince Albert. At the concert the evening of the civil wedding, she debuted an impressive new necklace:

This is called the Infinite Cascade necklace, and was made by Tabbah Jewellers. It has a certain wave design to it, carrying on that aquatic theme that extends right through the second tiara she received. (Yes, two.)

 

This is the Ocean Tiara (which can also be a necklace, and has detachable elements) commissioned from Van Cleef & Arpels for the bride. Charlene told Vogue that she loaned the tiara out to the Oceanographic Museum, hence her not wearing it as a part of the wedding festivities, and will wear it at her first official engagement. We'll do a Tiara Thursday post for that when she fulfills that promise, but we can all enjoy the tiara's official video while we wait:

 

What do you think of the Diamond Foam Tiara and the rest of Charlene's wedding gifts?

Photos: AP/Vogue/Svenskdam

Tiara Thursday: The Diamond Foam Tiara and Charlene's Wedding Gifts

Prior to the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, major names in jewelry were asked to submit sketches for a new tiara for Charlene Wittstock. Charlene and Prince Albert chose one of three designs submitted by jeweler Lorenz Bäumer, and that new tiara made its royal debut on the brand-new Princess of Monaco at the evening wedding ball.

Christened the Diamond Foam Tiara, the setting includes almost 60 carats of diamonds in a white gold setting. The largest diamond is a whopping 8 carats alone. I think it's pretty easy to see why this tiara attracted Charlene: not only is the piece as modern as her taste obviously is, the design of larger diamonds at the end of arcs of smaller precision-cut diamonds evokes the spray of crashing ocean waves. Appealing for the princess of a Mediterranean country to be sure, and definitely appealing when that princess happens to be a champion swimmer.

I'm not always a fan of modern tiara designs, but there are two things that are definitely better when it comes to new pieces: first, they are often designed to be convertible. This tiara can disassemble to become a large or small brooch or hairpiece. (It even comes with its own little screwdriver with a "C" on the handle for just such changes.) And second, information is often readily available when we're talking about new pieces. Here's a video in which the designer discusses the new tiara (well, he does if you speak French), and we get to see Charlene trying on the tiara.

Immediately, you'll notice the difference between the look of the tiara in the video and the look when Charlene wore it at the ball. Here's a screen shot from the video:

Worn like this, I think it's quite lovely. Looks like her head is exploding in diamonds, but if your head's going to explode, the sparks might as well be diamonds, right?

And here's a close up from the tiara's public debut:

She's reversed it, wearing the spray behind her left ear instead of her right as the design shows, which is probably depriving us of the full sparkle effect, and she's also tilted it so that it comes forward at a lower angle. Because of the difference in the angle, I think the tiara loses its three-dimensional effect. The diamonds are pressed right up against her hair:

So instead of looking like a tiara from the front, it looks as though she has Broadway microphones in her hair, or bugs sitting on her head or something. And I am left wondering why she wore it like this instead of the other way. Clearly, we're going to have to see it again.

The Diamond Foam Tiara is not the only significant piece of jewelry Charlene received as a wedding gift from Prince Albert. At the concert the evening of the civil wedding, she debuted an impressive new necklace:

This is called the Infinite Cascade necklace, and was made by Tabbah Jewellers. It has a certain wave design to it, carrying on that aquatic theme that extends right through the second tiara she received. (Yes, two.)

 

This is the Ocean Tiara (which can also be a necklace, and has detachable elements) commissioned from Van Cleef & Arpels for the bride. Charlene told Vogue that she loaned the tiara out to the Oceanographic Museum, hence her not wearing it as a part of the wedding festivities, and will wear it at her first official engagement. We'll do a Tiara Thursday post for that when she fulfills that promise, but we can all enjoy the tiara's official video while we wait:

 

What do you think of the Diamond Foam Tiara and the rest of Charlene's wedding gifts?

Photos: AP/Vogue/Svenskdam

Wedding Wednesday: Some Non-Royal Standouts in Monaco

When it comes to royal weddings, I usually have my eyes so peeled for royal wonders and disasters that the rest of the guests just blend into the background. At Monaco's royal wedding, though, there were a few non-royal guests that managed to burst through the haze...for reasons both tasteful and flamboyant. I suppose that's what you get when you invite the cream of Monte Carlo's colorful crop to your nuptials.

I absolutely loved Giorgio Armani's creation for his niece Roberta (above left) - interesting and chic, right up to the flower vase perched on her head. Also the picture of chic: Hélène Arnault (above right), who has no excuse not to be chic since her husband runs LVMH, and this mustard lady behind Queen Silvia (below).

Anybody know who she is? She brought a little Grace Kelly flair to the event, and she should be properly credited.

Though I found Bettina Wulff (below left) well-dressed, she was noticeable for her unseasonable outfit. How on earth did she not faint in the heat? Does that coat have fans on the inside?

Victoria Silvstedt (above right) was more appropriate for the weather, and surprisingly appropriate overall, though still strutting about like the Swedish Paris Hilton that she is.

Speaking of seasons, I adored Michelle Yeoh's pink cloche hat (below left), but couldn't abide by her brown Azzedine Alaia Christmas tree skirt.

And though Inès de la Fressange (above right) got her seasons correct, she also apparently received the beach party dress code from the civil ceremony. A beach party dress code, however, is ages better than whatever dress code this unknown lady received:

In the world of models, Karolina Kurkova (below left) brought a Chanel Couture suit mullet for our entertainment - business on top, party on the bottom!

And Naomi Campbell (above right) was rather tasteful and elegant in McQueen, especially when you compare it to her evening outfit:

There are many times and many places for a Givenchy Couture like this, but at someone else's wedding reception? I suppose when you invite Naomi Campbell to your wedding, this is what you're signing up for.

As usual, there's always a worse option:

This browned, baked, and over-stuffed bird is Helga Piaget, wife of famed watchmaker Yves Piaget. And I thought Princess Michael was an overflow risk...

Believe it or not, our friend Helga does not get my worst-dressed wedding title. No, that goes to Eva Cavalli, wife of Roberto Cavalli, on the power of sheer tackiness alone:

Who stood out amongst the non-royal guests for you?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Newscom

Wedding Wednesday: Some Non-Royal Standouts in Monaco

When it comes to royal weddings, I usually have my eyes so peeled for royal wonders and disasters that the rest of the guests just blend into the background. At Monaco's royal wedding, though, there were a few non-royal guests that managed to burst through the haze...for reasons both tasteful and flamboyant. I suppose that's what you get when you invite the cream of Monte Carlo's colorful crop to your nuptials.

I absolutely loved Giorgio Armani's creation for his niece Roberta (above left) - interesting and chic, right up to the flower vase perched on her head. Also the picture of chic: Hélène Arnault (above right), who has no excuse not to be chic since her husband runs LVMH, and this mustard lady behind Queen Silvia (below).

Anybody know who she is? She brought a little Grace Kelly flair to the event, and she should be properly credited.

Though I found Bettina Wulff (below left) well-dressed, she was noticeable for her unseasonable outfit. How on earth did she not faint in the heat? Does that coat have fans on the inside?

Victoria Silvstedt (above right) was more appropriate for the weather, and surprisingly appropriate overall, though still strutting about like the Swedish Paris Hilton that she is.

Speaking of seasons, I adored Michelle Yeoh's pink cloche hat (below left), but couldn't abide by her brown Azzedine Alaia Christmas tree skirt.

And though Inès de la Fressange (above right) got her seasons correct, she also apparently received the beach party dress code from the civil ceremony. A beach party dress code, however, is ages better than whatever dress code this unknown lady received:

In the world of models, Karolina Kurkova (below left) brought a Chanel Couture suit mullet for our entertainment - business on top, party on the bottom!

And Naomi Campbell (above right) was rather tasteful and elegant in McQueen, especially when you compare it to her evening outfit:

There are many times and many places for a Givenchy Couture like this, but at someone else's wedding reception? I suppose when you invite Naomi Campbell to your wedding, this is what you're signing up for.

As usual, there's always a worse option:

This browned, baked, and over-stuffed bird is Helga Piaget, wife of famed watchmaker Yves Piaget. And I thought Princess Michael was an overflow risk...

Believe it or not, our friend Helga does not get my worst-dressed wedding title. No, that goes to Eva Cavalli, wife of Roberto Cavalli, on the power of sheer tackiness alone:

Who stood out amongst the non-royal guests for you?

Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Newscom