The Duchess Diary

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Queen Maxima: 38 Fabulous Hats To Celebrate Her Majesty’s Birthday

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is, for me, right up there with the Duchess of Cambridge and Crown Princess Mary.

Yes, all three women have that crucial “commoner” thing in common, but aside from that, Maxima always looks happy to see everyone, be they a small child thrusting flowers in Her Majesty’s face, or a bellhop greeting her at a German hotel.

Today, the Buenos Aires-born consort turns 45, three years after becoming Queen alongside the Netherlands’ monarch and her husband, King Willem-Alexander.

queen maxima hat collage netherlands

Getty images

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Princess Diana Attends The 1996 Met Costume Institute Ball (VIDEO)

In 1996, the Princess of Wales joined her friend, fellow Brit and Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis at the Met Costume Institute Gala honoring Christian Dior, of which Tilberis served the co-chair.

Diana wore a midnight blue dress from creative director John Galliano’s first collection with the house, paired with  blue “double cluster” drop sapphire earrings surrounded by diamonds, according to Diana’s Jewels, as well as a matching choker. [Read more…]

Kate Middleton Covers British Vogue, Shows off Gloriously Thick Eyebrows

Yesterday, the National Portrait Gallery and British Vogue revealed their collaboration on a series of portraits to celebrate the magazine’s 100th anniversary.

kate middleton black white british vogue hat

Josh Olins/British Vogue

For the first time ever, the Duchess of Cambridge posed for the fashion bible, following in the footsteps of the Princess of Wale, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (below). [Read more…]

Royal Wedding Rewind: A Closer Look At Kate Middleton’s Wedding Gown

kate middleton alexander mcqueen lace dress

AFP/Getty Images

It was the Duchess of Cambridge’s wish that any details pertaining to her gown would be a surprise until her and Prince William’s wedding day.

Media outlets immediately started to speculate on who landed the job.  Bruce Oldfield?  Diana’s wedding dress designers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel?  Temperley London?

In March, it leaked that Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen had been tapped to create Catherine’s wedding gown. [Read more…]

Crown Princess Mary Kicks Off Mexico State Visit In Gorgeous Ombre Coat

Today, Denmark’s royal family welcomed Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife, Angelica Rivera for a state visit at Copenhagen International Airport.

Crown Princess Mary, whose husband, Frederik, is the heir to the Danish throne, joined Queen Margrethe, Prince Consort Henrik, brother-in-law Prince Joachim, his wife, Princess Marie and the Queen’s younger sister, Princess Benedikte. [Read more…]

Kate Wears Saloni For Pre-Tour Reception, William Has a Weak Stomach

prince william suit kate middleton blue saloni dress meet young indian bhutanese people kensington palace

Warren Allott – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Tonight, the Duke and Duchess attended a reception at Kensington Palace, where they met young Indian and Bhutanese people living in the United Kingdom.

This was an opportunity for Their Royal Highnesses to learn more about each country’s people, culture and history.  It was also an opportunity for the guests to be in the presence of Kate Middleton.

According to royal fashion bible What Kate Wore, Catherine chose Saloni‘s “Mary” illusion dress for the occasion.  She first wore a piece by the Indian designer for a Fostering Network engagement in November 2015. [Read more…]

Beatrice Borromeo Wears The He*k Out of Giambattista Valli at Bal de la Rose

beatrice borromeo giambattista valli ball de la rose

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

I love me a poofy, dramatic ball gown, so mine eyes were so pleased when Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi wore a Giambattista Valli to the 2016 Bal de la Rose.

Tatler‘s Annabel Rivkin put it perfectly:

“What’s the point of a ballgown unless it’s pouffy?  There is no point.  Not really.  Because an evening dress becomes one only with an element of fantasy.  That, and a distinct lack of versatility.  It will have to earn its keep in one star-spangled  night  because it must be so memorable that you can’t wear it again for 20 years.

Grace Kelly founded the ball in 1954 to benefit young artists.

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Kate Middleton’s Most Glorious Grey Looks

On March 14th, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge attended the annual Commonwealth Observance Day Service in a  grey Erdem coat with lace detailing.

It was the second time in a week I was delighted by Catherine’s sartorial choice; Her March 11th outfit by Eponine was just the kind of POP we royal watchers needed.

What I appreciated about Catherine’s grey look is that she made sure the ensemble wasn’t simply a dowdy piece of fabric that paired nicely with a hat.

Instead, she opted for a darling design that was both appropriate for the occasion and pleasing to fans (or at least some).  [Read more…]