Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 10 July - 16 July, Part 1

And so the odyssey comes to an end. We pick back up on the last day of the Cambridge's trip to North America:

1. Last day of engagements in Los Angeles and departing for home, 10 July, wearing a white pleated skirt and navy crochet top from Whistles with navy heels, her nude clutch, a cross necklace and those diamond and sapphire earrings.

Is it wrong that when I first saw this, I felt a strong Heidi flair, and that's what made me love it? Well, no matter. Kate went out the way she came in: in navy. But despite that color that's become my archnemesis over the course of this trip, I really do love this. It's so girly! I love the detail and the little bow at the waist. And I love that she returned to her inexpensive high street roots for a visit to disadvantaged kids in Skid Row. You all know I love couture more than anything else, but sometimes that's just not right. A well played case of fashion diplomacy, once again.

If we see Kate again this week, we'll do part 2 for the week.

Click here for final thoughts and the trip wrap up!


Photos: AP/Daily Mail/Just Jared

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 10 July - 16 July, Part 1

And so the odyssey comes to an end. We pick back up on the last day of the Cambridge's trip to North America:

1. Last day of engagements in Los Angeles and departing for home, 10 July, wearing a white pleated skirt and navy crochet top from Whistles with navy heels, her nude clutch, a cross necklace and those diamond and sapphire earrings.

Is it wrong that when I first saw this, I felt a strong Heidi flair, and that's what made me love it? Well, no matter. Kate went out the way she came in: in navy. But despite that color that's become my archnemesis over the course of this trip, I really do love this. It's so girly! I love the detail and the little bow at the waist. And I love that she returned to her inexpensive high street roots for a visit to disadvantaged kids in Skid Row. You all know I love couture more than anything else, but sometimes that's just not right. A well played case of fashion diplomacy, once again.

If we see Kate again this week, we'll do part 2 for the week.

Click here for final thoughts and the trip wrap up!


Photos: AP/Daily Mail/Just Jared

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 26 June - 2 July

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

1. Shopping for carpets in Copenhagen. Oh, the perils of decorating a renovated palace.
2. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July, a) on Mary and b) from Ralph Lauren. Crochet dresses are treacherous territory if you ask me, but I'm so in love with this one! Especially the pops of aqua/green with the earrings and the Bottega Veneta bag.
3. Attending the concert/reception for the wedding, 1 July. Best is the earrings, see below.
4. At the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, 2 July. Still love it!
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Really, really still love this. Eye-searing deliciousness.

And the earrings I'm on about:

I like a little statement jewelry, what can I say?


Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Svenskdam/Hola

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 26 June - 2 July

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

1. Shopping for carpets in Copenhagen. Oh, the perils of decorating a renovated palace.
2. Arriving in Monaco, 1 July, a) on Mary and b) from Ralph Lauren. Crochet dresses are treacherous territory if you ask me, but I'm so in love with this one! Especially the pops of aqua/green with the earrings and the Bottega Veneta bag.
3. Attending the concert/reception for the wedding, 1 July. Best is the earrings, see below.
4. At the Prince and Princess of Monaco's wedding, 2 July. Still love it!
5. The evening ball, 2 July. Really, really still love this. Eye-searing deliciousness.

And the earrings I'm on about:

I like a little statement jewelry, what can I say?


Photos: Getty Images/Daylife/Svenskdam/Hola

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 26 June - 2 July, Part 2

If you need a refresher, here's where we left off with The Adventures of Kate and Wills in Canada. Now, to finish out the week through Saturday:

1. Canada Day, 1 July, a) Kate's outfit, b) the Maple Leaf Brooch, c) the red shoes, d) the dress from Reiss, e) the hat from Lock and Company, f) the clutch from Anya Hindmarch.

Confession: I'm disappointed. If there was a day to get a new dress, and make it from a Canadian designer, today would have been the day! It's Canada Day! I can't help but think that it looks like she planned on repeating the Reiss dress from her engagement photographs, and at the last minute, panicked and realized it wasn't Canadian enough. Cue the red shoes and stuck-on maple leaves in the hat. There's just a lot going on here.

2. Evening concert on Canada Day, 1 July, a) on Kate, b) the dress from Issa, worn with Prada pumps and another Anya Hindmarch clutch, and c) the maple leaf brooch again with diamond earrings.

After the Maple Leaf Brooch (on loan from the Queen, also worn by the Queen Mother and the Duchess of Cornwall) spent most of the day underneath Kate's hair, she threw it in the evening mix with an updo (yes!) and a purple Issa dress. This one I like standing up, not sitting down. (Weird, right? That's me.)

3. Day 3 of the Canada trip, 2 July, a) the Kensington dress from Catherine Walker with an Anya Hindmarch clutch, b) the back detail (with a bonus precious wee one), c) gamely sporting a chef's coat, d) the shoes, and e) swapping to black Prada shoes and a black Anya Hindmarch clutch.

A brand new designer on parade: Catherine Walker, she of my favorite Diana gown ever (and Carole Middleton's wedding outfit and so much more). A savvy choice, as Walker was French. I love the sweet sleeve and neckline details, and you know I love the first shoes of the day. But later she switched back to basic black, leaving me to wonder if they were uncomfortable or if she (gasp!) got them muddy in a tree planting haze. I long for an updo, though. There was a lot of hair flicking, even more than usual, what with the planting and meeting kids and playing chef, plus the back detail of the dress really deserves to fly on its own.

And now I'd like to give a shout out to an unsung fashion star on this trip so far: Prince William.

Two cases in point: lookin' good at the concert, and pulling a Barack by losing the jacket while on a hospital visit. I like to spread the praise around, you know.

Yes, I know this doesn't bring us up to everything she's worn so far, but you'll have to sit tight. In the mean time, did any of these three tickle your fancy?

Photos: Just Jared/AP/Reuters/Daily Mail/Camera Press/Mark Stewart/Splash/Michael Dunlea/Bancroft Media

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 26 June - 2 July, Part 2

If you need a refresher, here's where we left off with The Adventures of Kate and Wills in Canada. Now, to finish out the week through Saturday:

1. Canada Day, 1 July, a) Kate's outfit, b) the Maple Leaf Brooch, c) the red shoes, d) the dress from Reiss, e) the hat from Lock and Company, f) the clutch from Anya Hindmarch.

Confession: I'm disappointed. If there was a day to get a new dress, and make it from a Canadian designer, today would have been the day! It's Canada Day! I can't help but think that it looks like she planned on repeating the Reiss dress from her engagement photographs, and at the last minute, panicked and realized it wasn't Canadian enough. Cue the red shoes and stuck-on maple leaves in the hat. There's just a lot going on here.

2. Evening concert on Canada Day, 1 July, a) on Kate, b) the dress from Issa, worn with Prada pumps and another Anya Hindmarch clutch, and c) the maple leaf brooch again with diamond earrings.

After the Maple Leaf Brooch (on loan from the Queen, also worn by the Queen Mother and the Duchess of Cornwall) spent most of the day underneath Kate's hair, she threw it in the evening mix with an updo (yes!) and a purple Issa dress. This one I like standing up, not sitting down. (Weird, right? That's me.)

3. Day 3 of the Canada trip, 2 July, a) the Kensington dress from Catherine Walker with an Anya Hindmarch clutch, b) the back detail (with a bonus precious wee one), c) gamely sporting a chef's coat, d) the shoes, and e) swapping to black Prada shoes and a black Anya Hindmarch clutch.

A brand new designer on parade: Catherine Walker, she of my favorite Diana gown ever (and Carole Middleton's wedding outfit and so much more). A savvy choice, as Walker was French. I love the sweet sleeve and neckline details, and you know I love the first shoes of the day. But later she switched back to basic black, leaving me to wonder if they were uncomfortable or if she (gasp!) got them muddy in a tree planting haze. I long for an updo, though. There was a lot of hair flicking, even more than usual, what with the planting and meeting kids and playing chef, plus the back detail of the dress really deserves to fly on its own.

And now I'd like to give a shout out to an unsung fashion star on this trip so far: Prince William.

Two cases in point: lookin' good at the concert, and pulling a Barack by losing the jacket while on a hospital visit. I like to spread the praise around, you know.

Yes, I know this doesn't bring us up to everything she's worn so far, but you'll have to sit tight. In the mean time, did any of these three tickle your fancy?

Photos: Just Jared/AP/Reuters/Daily Mail/Camera Press/Mark Stewart/Splash/Michael Dunlea/Bancroft Media

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

Another Monaco event, another curious dress code! What, oh what, to wear to an outdoor wedding (in the blazing hot sun, yet still a religious, Catholic affair), at 5 p.m. (normally a tiara or cocktail time of day, but with an invitation that said hats for ladies)? Let's see what everybody came up with, shall we?

As always, click the pictures to enlarge...

Best in Monaco

Princess Caroline

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

I'm starting to think Stephanie is allergic to headgear. No tiaras, no hats, and a trait she's clearly passing on to her daughters. Seems more concerned with showing off her tattoos. (Why yes, I am clutching my pearls. Nothing against tattoos, but if I were going to a royal wedding, I'd cover 'em up. That's all.) Charlotte wore Chanel's version of that thing Chelsy Davy wore to The Other Wedding without any more success, mostly because she put THIS on her head. Is it a funeral flower arrangement? Is it a washed-up piece of fisherman's net from the sea? The guessing fun never ends. Also sporting remnants from the sea: Beatrice, in her sparkly fishnets, and Tatiana in her deflated khaki beach ball hat. Thus, I give my prize to Princess Caroline: well coordinated with her youngest child, a little bit sparkly, and an understated big ass hat (which is the way to do big ass hats if it's a big ass hat you must do).

Best in Un-Throned Royals

Crown Princess Margarita

L to R: Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, the Duchess of Braganza, the Duchess of Anjou, Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, the Hereditary Princess of Baden, the Margravine of Baden

I love the events where they're not picky about who gets an invitation (ahem, Brits). Just because you don't technically have a throne to sit on anymore doesn't mean you can't bring something fun for us to chat about. Case in point: all these lovely ladies. We've got Crown Princess Katherine, happy as ever (if you thought she wanted to gossip about the London wedding, just think what she'd have to say about this one!); Farah Pahlavi, elegant as ever; the Duchess of Braganza, understated but classy; and the Duchess of Anjou, a little bit sparkly and out to show those Brits the hat they missed when they didn't invite her to their wedding. My best goes to Crown Princess Margarita - how cute is she in her little yellow ensemble? Sublimely ladylike. I was also surprisingly impressed by Clotilde Courau (Princess of Venice and Piedmont) for leaving behind her usual attention-grabbing starlet style for the moment. I loved the Hereditary Princess of Baden, though I wish she would have investigated a little more support for the affair, and her mother-in-law the Margravine was classic as well.

Worst in Un-Throned Royals

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

L to R: Princess Ursula of Bavaria, the Countess of Paris, Princess Virginia Ira von Fürstenberg, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, the Duchess of Castro, the Princess of Naples, Princess Sophie of Isenburg

Another reason you should invite the un-royals: look what else they bring to chat about! Oh, ladies. Princess Ursula looks hot - literally. How did she not pass out in that suit and that wackadoodle hat? Just look at what the heat is doing to the Countess of Paris' chapeau. (Oh, that's the way it's supposed to be? Well, then.) Speaking of strange hats...a von Fürstenberg was there. The prize, though, clearly belongs to our Russian friend, Maria. You see, she's taken the muumuu and claimed it for Russia by adding a kokoshnik on top, though I think the muumuu was up for nationality grabs to start with. She had steep competition from Plastic Princess Barbie herself, Camilla from Castro, who wore THIS on her head. A giant foam-esque heart. Like something you might wear to a sporting event to cheer on your favorite team by supporting the mascot, except this is a wedding and she's backing the mascot of love. (Blech.) We also have Marina from Naples in an outfit she shares with Tina Turner, and Sophie of Isenburg wearing snowflakes and a skunk hat. (You should get acquainted with Sophie and her snowflake-in-July style, by the way: she's having a royal wedding of her own in August.)

Best in Blues, Pinks, and Such

Queen Silvia

L to R: Princess Sara al Faisal of Jordan, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Michael of Kent

Now, back to some more familiar faces and ruling monarchies. Pure elegance from Sara and Sophie, and I especially like the added satellite flair from Liechtenstein. Mathilde brought her bling again with that wonderful brooch, but a little more of the try-hard (and a hat out of Sophie Wessex's closet), and Princess Michael must have parachuted in on her sleeves, so I'll go with Queen Silvia. Good old Silvia, she always classes the joint up.

Best in Pale

Princess Madeleine

L to R: Princess Astrid of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Princess Marie of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Another royal that must have died in the heat: Princess Astrid, a.k.a. The Talking Hat (Update: here's a full view). But she looks elegant, as do the rest of these ladies; fine, nothing spectacular I must say, though I obviously love Maria Teresa's sparkly number there. The best for me turns out to be Madeleine, who I think is even repeating her dress. And why not? She looks good, and she's added a jaunty touch with her upright feather. A daring touch too: that thing defies gravity. One doesn't want to risk a flaccid feather situation, though I'm sure it happens to everyone...

Worst in Sparkly

Crown Princess Victoria

L to R: Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco, Princess Lalla Soukaina of Morocco, Queen Paola of the Belgians, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand

With a 5 p.m. wedding time, it's understandable to drift towards something sparkly. I'm prone to it no matter what the clock says. But there are right ways and wrong ways to do that, you see. Right way: stick to your national dress, like the ladies of Morocco and Thailand. (I want a caftan. They make it look so good! Is it wrong to want a sparkly caftan just for wearing around the house?) Wrongish way: to do it with an ill fit, like Paola, who is not at all flattered by that skirt length. Totally wrong way: Victoria. She's wearing a tinsel dress and a tinsel Amish bonnet. (I don't think the Amish would approve.) And baby blue shoes. V, you were my best at April's wedding! What happened?! Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Best of the Best

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, Princess Claire of Belgium

I had a hard time picking a favorite, I'm telling you. I loved the Countess of Wessex: so elegant, and weather-appropriate to boot! I loved Máxima in the mustard too, she made a colorful picture with Willem-Alexander and she always brings her A+ wedding game. Princess Claire was a surprising front runner in her fifties glam Natan outfit (she's like the Sarah Chatto of Monaco!), but in the end Mary won it for me. I don't care for the Sophie Wessex hat (seriously, Sophie, lock your hat box), but the dress - the dress! I want need it. In this Mediterranean turquoise, and also the purple that Princess Haya has it in. But it's Prada, so I'll be taking up a collection. Start digging for spare change, kids.

Who made your best- and worst-dressed at the religious wedding?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/Newscom/Bekia/PPE

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

Another Monaco event, another curious dress code! What, oh what, to wear to an outdoor wedding (in the blazing hot sun, yet still a religious, Catholic affair), at 5 p.m. (normally a tiara or cocktail time of day, but with an invitation that said hats for ladies)? Let's see what everybody came up with, shall we?

As always, click the pictures to enlarge...

Best in Monaco

Princess Caroline

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

I'm starting to think Stephanie is allergic to headgear. No tiaras, no hats, and a trait she's clearly passing on to her daughters. Seems more concerned with showing off her tattoos. (Why yes, I am clutching my pearls. Nothing against tattoos, but if I were going to a royal wedding, I'd cover 'em up. That's all.) Charlotte wore Chanel's version of that thing Chelsy Davy wore to The Other Wedding without any more success, mostly because she put THIS on her head. Is it a funeral flower arrangement? Is it a washed-up piece of fisherman's net from the sea? The guessing fun never ends. Also sporting remnants from the sea: Beatrice, in her sparkly fishnets, and Tatiana in her deflated khaki beach ball hat. Thus, I give my prize to Princess Caroline: well coordinated with her youngest child, a little bit sparkly, and an understated big ass hat (which is the way to do big ass hats if it's a big ass hat you must do).

Best in Un-Throned Royals

Crown Princess Margarita

L to R: Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran, the Duchess of Braganza, the Duchess of Anjou, Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont, the Hereditary Princess of Baden, the Margravine of Baden

I love the events where they're not picky about who gets an invitation (ahem, Brits). Just because you don't technically have a throne to sit on anymore doesn't mean you can't bring something fun for us to chat about. Case in point: all these lovely ladies. We've got Crown Princess Katherine, happy as ever (if you thought she wanted to gossip about the London wedding, just think what she'd have to say about this one!); Farah Pahlavi, elegant as ever; the Duchess of Braganza, understated but classy; and the Duchess of Anjou, a little bit sparkly and out to show those Brits the hat they missed when they didn't invite her to their wedding. My best goes to Crown Princess Margarita - how cute is she in her little yellow ensemble? Sublimely ladylike. I was also surprisingly impressed by Clotilde Courau (Princess of Venice and Piedmont) for leaving behind her usual attention-grabbing starlet style for the moment. I loved the Hereditary Princess of Baden, though I wish she would have investigated a little more support for the affair, and her mother-in-law the Margravine was classic as well.

Worst in Un-Throned Royals

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

L to R: Princess Ursula of Bavaria, the Countess of Paris, Princess Virginia Ira von Fürstenberg, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia, the Duchess of Castro, the Princess of Naples, Princess Sophie of Isenburg

Another reason you should invite the un-royals: look what else they bring to chat about! Oh, ladies. Princess Ursula looks hot - literally. How did she not pass out in that suit and that wackadoodle hat? Just look at what the heat is doing to the Countess of Paris' chapeau. (Oh, that's the way it's supposed to be? Well, then.) Speaking of strange hats...a von Fürstenberg was there. The prize, though, clearly belongs to our Russian friend, Maria. You see, she's taken the muumuu and claimed it for Russia by adding a kokoshnik on top, though I think the muumuu was up for nationality grabs to start with. She had steep competition from Plastic Princess Barbie herself, Camilla from Castro, who wore THIS on her head. A giant foam-esque heart. Like something you might wear to a sporting event to cheer on your favorite team by supporting the mascot, except this is a wedding and she's backing the mascot of love. (Blech.) We also have Marina from Naples in an outfit she shares with Tina Turner, and Sophie of Isenburg wearing snowflakes and a skunk hat. (You should get acquainted with Sophie and her snowflake-in-July style, by the way: she's having a royal wedding of her own in August.)

Best in Blues, Pinks, and Such

Queen Silvia

L to R: Princess Sara al Faisal of Jordan, the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Michael of Kent

Now, back to some more familiar faces and ruling monarchies. Pure elegance from Sara and Sophie, and I especially like the added satellite flair from Liechtenstein. Mathilde brought her bling again with that wonderful brooch, but a little more of the try-hard (and a hat out of Sophie Wessex's closet), and Princess Michael must have parachuted in on her sleeves, so I'll go with Queen Silvia. Good old Silvia, she always classes the joint up.

Best in Pale

Princess Madeleine

L to R: Princess Astrid of Belgium, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Princess Marie of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway

Another royal that must have died in the heat: Princess Astrid, a.k.a. The Talking Hat (Update: here's a full view). But she looks elegant, as do the rest of these ladies; fine, nothing spectacular I must say, though I obviously love Maria Teresa's sparkly number there. The best for me turns out to be Madeleine, who I think is even repeating her dress. And why not? She looks good, and she's added a jaunty touch with her upright feather. A daring touch too: that thing defies gravity. One doesn't want to risk a flaccid feather situation, though I'm sure it happens to everyone...

Worst in Sparkly

Crown Princess Victoria

L to R: Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco, Princess Lalla Soukaina of Morocco, Queen Paola of the Belgians, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand

With a 5 p.m. wedding time, it's understandable to drift towards something sparkly. I'm prone to it no matter what the clock says. But there are right ways and wrong ways to do that, you see. Right way: stick to your national dress, like the ladies of Morocco and Thailand. (I want a caftan. They make it look so good! Is it wrong to want a sparkly caftan just for wearing around the house?) Wrongish way: to do it with an ill fit, like Paola, who is not at all flattered by that skirt length. Totally wrong way: Victoria. She's wearing a tinsel dress and a tinsel Amish bonnet. (I don't think the Amish would approve.) And baby blue shoes. V, you were my best at April's wedding! What happened?! Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Best of the Best

Crown Princess Mary

L to R: the Countess of Wessex, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, Princess Claire of Belgium

I had a hard time picking a favorite, I'm telling you. I loved the Countess of Wessex: so elegant, and weather-appropriate to boot! I loved Máxima in the mustard too, she made a colorful picture with Willem-Alexander and she always brings her A+ wedding game. Princess Claire was a surprising front runner in her fifties glam Natan outfit (she's like the Sarah Chatto of Monaco!), but in the end Mary won it for me. I don't care for the Sophie Wessex hat (seriously, Sophie, lock your hat box), but the dress - the dress! I want need it. In this Mediterranean turquoise, and also the purple that Princess Haya has it in. But it's Prada, so I'll be taking up a collection. Start digging for spare change, kids.

Who made your best- and worst-dressed at the religious wedding?

Photos: Getty Images/Reuters/Daylife/Newscom/Bekia/PPE

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 19-25 June

Here's what Mary wore from 19-25 June:

1. Shopping in Copenhagen, with a Prada bag and Chanel shades. I feel like this is what you wear shopping when you're just popping to the shops to grab a few necessities on your way home from the office, and you've forgotten to take off the cardi you keep on the back of your chair for days when the office air conditioning is overzealous. Cute dress, though.

Photo: msn.dk

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 19-25 June

Here's what Mary wore from 19-25 June:

1. Shopping in Copenhagen, with a Prada bag and Chanel shades. I feel like this is what you wear shopping when you're just popping to the shops to grab a few necessities on your way home from the office, and you've forgotten to take off the cardi you keep on the back of your chair for days when the office air conditioning is overzealous. Cute dress, though.

Photo: msn.dk

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 19-25 June

Here's what Catherine wore from 19-25 June:

1. Official portrait released for the Canada trip, repeating the Amanda Wakeley jacket we saw pre-wedding.
2. a) Presenting medals to the Irish Guards on Armed Forces Day, 25 June, wearing b) a shamrock brooch previously worn by the Queen Mother and the Princess Royal while on Irish Guards engagements, c) a new charm bracelet engraved with her royal cypher, a Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat, Anya Hindmarch clutch, Prada shoes, and an Alexander McQueen coat dress, a combination of styles d) and e) from the Pre-Fall 2011 collection.

To all of those that called her out for pulling a Diana move with the military coat for the military engagement, I say: pfffft. That's not a Diana move, that's a royal move. See also: Elizabeth, Camilla, Sophie, pretty much everything Anne's ever worn, etc. If you want to see a Diana comparison here, in my opinion, you have to go to the bracelet. Diana had a known penchant for gifts with the personal touch. Interestingly, this bracelet appears to have been a gift from Camilla as it seems to have Camilla's cypher on the other side.

The hat seems a little froofy (technical term) to me when paired with that stark coat. But at the same time, it's the froofiness of the hat that's keeping this from being a soldier costume, or from being something that the Princess Royal might wear. And I do like the coat (c'mon, she had McQueen make her something, you know I'm loving that). I think it was a great choice for this engagement. She went simple, since it's not like she could compete with her hubby's ensemble:

This, by the way, solves the mystery of the second uniform William wore on his wedding day as the couple drove Prince Charles's classic car away from Buckingham Palace. I shall update his wedding post tout de suite.

In other Armed Forces Day news, Camilla made a half-hearted attempt to compete with her man's uniform with this kicky new hat:

Alas, her efforts were for naught. I mean...look at that uniform. Yowza.

What did you think of Kate's military effort?

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Alexander McQueen/Style.com/Daylife/Daily Mail

Week in Review: The Duchess of Cambridge, 19-25 June

Here's what Catherine wore from 19-25 June:

1. Official portrait released for the Canada trip, repeating the Amanda Wakeley jacket we saw pre-wedding.
2. a) Presenting medals to the Irish Guards on Armed Forces Day, 25 June, wearing b) a shamrock brooch previously worn by the Queen Mother and the Princess Royal while on Irish Guards engagements, c) a new charm bracelet engraved with her royal cypher, a Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat, Anya Hindmarch clutch, Prada shoes, and an Alexander McQueen coat dress, a combination of styles d) and e) from the Pre-Fall 2011 collection.

To all of those that called her out for pulling a Diana move with the military coat for the military engagement, I say: pfffft. That's not a Diana move, that's a royal move. See also: Elizabeth, Camilla, Sophie, pretty much everything Anne's ever worn, etc. If you want to see a Diana comparison here, in my opinion, you have to go to the bracelet. Diana had a known penchant for gifts with the personal touch. Interestingly, this bracelet appears to have been a gift from Camilla as it seems to have Camilla's cypher on the other side.

The hat seems a little froofy (technical term) to me when paired with that stark coat. But at the same time, it's the froofiness of the hat that's keeping this from being a soldier costume, or from being something that the Princess Royal might wear. And I do like the coat (c'mon, she had McQueen make her something, you know I'm loving that). I think it was a great choice for this engagement. She went simple, since it's not like she could compete with her hubby's ensemble:

This, by the way, solves the mystery of the second uniform William wore on his wedding day as the couple drove Prince Charles's classic car away from Buckingham Palace. I shall update his wedding post tout de suite.

In other Armed Forces Day news, Camilla made a half-hearted attempt to compete with her man's uniform with this kicky new hat:

Alas, her efforts were for naught. I mean...look at that uniform. Yowza.

What did you think of Kate's military effort?

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images/Alexander McQueen/Style.com/Daylife/Daily Mail

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 15-21 May

Here's what Mary wore from 15-21 May:

1. Out for a family walk in Copenhagen, with her Chanel flats and shades, and Prada bag. Cute coat, but I think Isabella's the one that needs to be recognized here.

This kid just cracks me up. Love her! Don't you just want to put your tutu on and go skip around for a while? (You know you have a tutu lying around somewhere. Don't lie.) If I may make a suggestion for next time: add a tiara. It'll really complete the ensemble.

Photos: Lars Laursen/BilledBladet

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 15-21 May

Here's what Mary wore from 15-21 May:

1. Out for a family walk in Copenhagen, with her Chanel flats and shades, and Prada bag. Cute coat, but I think Isabella's the one that needs to be recognized here.

This kid just cracks me up. Love her! Don't you just want to put your tutu on and go skip around for a while? (You know you have a tutu lying around somewhere. Don't lie.) If I may make a suggestion for next time: add a tiara. It'll really complete the ensemble.

Photos: Lars Laursen/BilledBladet

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 8-14 May

Here's what Mary wore from 8-14 May:

1. At the 2011 Årest Reumert Awards, 8 May, a) on Mary and b) from Prada. Not a fan of this, and I'm not sure why...don't like the large scale of the lace, maybe? Or maybe that's just my predisposition to dislike Prada showing through.
2. Buying Isabella a new bike, 10 May.
3. State dinner for the South Korean President's state visit, 11 May, a) on Mary and b) from Malene Birger. Tremendously plain dress, but I like it for a princess. Nice and appropriate.
4. Celebrating their wedding anniversary out to dinner, 14 May. No heels?? Say what??

Now, since we have a state visit, there's more fun to be had! Mary was a no-show for the arrival ceremony, but we did get fashions from these lovely ladies:

Marie's repeating the dress she wore to christen Henrik. (Little Henrik, her son. Not big Henrik, though that visual is pure comedy.) I think this is one of her best appearances: youthful, yet put together. Margrethe's got her racing stripes on, so it's not like there was major competition. Bonus points to all the ladies for team outfit coordination.

And on to the non-Mary gowns at the gala dinner:

Margrethe's very Margrethe-y, per her usual. Benedikte's repeating the nightie we last saw at MII's birthday celebrations, and Marie's very Marie-y, per usual, by which I mean she's worn another evening gown better suited to a starlet on the red carpet, or a teen at prom on a budget in this case. I just don't think this is doing our Marie any favors.

It's a full-on gala, so you know what that means: gratuitious bling time!

Margrethe's pulled an unusual piece out of the vaults, her turquoise bandeau. (And she's pulled a page out of Queen Sonja's book, wearing whatever colors she pleases with it.) Benedikte's wearing her star tiara, with a rather disturbing Farrah Fawcett sort of do (note to B.: you simply must have more hair than this to try that look out, dear). Marie's in her usual (only) tiara. And Mary's changed her wedding tiara! Can you smell the Tiara Thursday coming? It will be, so you consider this until then. Contemplate. Ruminate. Do other things that rhyme. Consider it your homework.

And one last event, a reception on Thursday. Once again, Mary is nowhere to be found, so in her absence:

More pink for Marg, and a very coordinated and classy look for her sister B. Marie's got an LBD with a little rosette detail all around to bottom and up the back. It's almost like she's stepped it up a bit in Mary's absence (same at the arrival ceremony). I might find this twee on anyone else, but it goes with her smile.

Who's your best-dressed lady from the South Korean state visit?

Photos: Ekstra Bladet/BilledBladet/PPE/Nieboer

Week in Review: Crown Princess Mary, 8-14 May

Here's what Mary wore from 8-14 May:

1. At the 2011 Årest Reumert Awards, 8 May, a) on Mary and b) from Prada. Not a fan of this, and I'm not sure why...don't like the large scale of the lace, maybe? Or maybe that's just my predisposition to dislike Prada showing through.
2. Buying Isabella a new bike, 10 May.
3. State dinner for the South Korean President's state visit, 11 May, a) on Mary and b) from Malene Birger. Tremendously plain dress, but I like it for a princess. Nice and appropriate.
4. Celebrating their wedding anniversary out to dinner, 14 May. No heels?? Say what??

Now, since we have a state visit, there's more fun to be had! Mary was a no-show for the arrival ceremony, but we did get fashions from these lovely ladies:

Marie's repeating the dress she wore to christen Henrik. (Little Henrik, her son. Not big Henrik, though that visual is pure comedy.) I think this is one of her best appearances: youthful, yet put together. Margrethe's got her racing stripes on, so it's not like there was major competition. Bonus points to all the ladies for team outfit coordination.

And on to the non-Mary gowns at the gala dinner:

Margrethe's very Margrethe-y, per her usual. Benedikte's repeating the nightie we last saw at MII's birthday celebrations, and Marie's very Marie-y, per usual, by which I mean she's worn another evening gown better suited to a starlet on the red carpet, or a teen at prom on a budget in this case. I just don't think this is doing our Marie any favors.

It's a full-on gala, so you know what that means: gratuitious bling time!

Margrethe's pulled an unusual piece out of the vaults, her turquoise bandeau. (And she's pulled a page out of Queen Sonja's book, wearing whatever colors she pleases with it.) Benedikte's wearing her star tiara, with a rather disturbing Farrah Fawcett sort of do (note to B.: you simply must have more hair than this to try that look out, dear). Marie's in her usual (only) tiara. And Mary's changed her wedding tiara! Can you smell the Tiara Thursday coming? It will be, so you consider this until then. Contemplate. Ruminate. Do other things that rhyme. Consider it your homework.

And one last event, a reception on Thursday. Once again, Mary is nowhere to be found, so in her absence:

More pink for Marg, and a very coordinated and classy look for her sister B. Marie's got an LBD with a little rosette detail all around to bottom and up the back. It's almost like she's stepped it up a bit in Mary's absence (same at the arrival ceremony). I might find this twee on anyone else, but it goes with her smile.

Who's your best-dressed lady from the South Korean state visit?

Photos: Ekstra Bladet/BilledBladet/PPE/Nieboer