The Duchess Diary

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Royals In Rio: Queen Maxima, Prince Albert and More Cheer On Their Olympic Teams

Just because William and Catherine sat this round out doesn’t mean that other royals were going to watch the Summer Games from the comfort of their homes.

Queen Maxima packed up her chicest summer pieces, as well as orange pants for her husband, and brought her family to her native South America (Her Majesty originally hails from Argentina).

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia supported the Swedish national team, Prince Albert cheered on Monaco, Prince Frederick did the same with Denmark, as did Princess Anne for Great Britain.

What was most pleasant to see was how relaxed the royals looked sitting in the grandstands watching events. Everyone  was, for the most part dressed down in polos, half-zips or (in Maxima’s case) maxi dresses. [Read more…]

Princess Charlene and Her Glorious Earrings Attend The 68th Annual Red Cross Ball

Last night, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene arrived at  the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco to officially open this year’s Red Cross Gala, an event that thanks donors for making it possible for the organization to carry out its work.

princess charlene valentino gown prince albert red cross gala 2016

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Charlene wore the most glorious lilac gown that looked hand-painted (and was no doubt custom-made).

princess charlene valentino lilac dress arm in arm prince albert red cross gala

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Two different designers- Valentino and Armani Prive – are being credited with the gown, but neither one has confirmed. So… [Read more…]

Monaco’s Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques: Their Cutest Photos

prince albert princess charlene twins pique nique monegasque

PLS Pool/Getty Images

On December 10th, 2014, Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Countess of Carladès was born at the Princess Grace Hospital, named after her paternal grandmother.

Two minutes later, her brother, Jacques did the ole’ “leapfrog” and  became the Hereditary Prince of Monaco, and will one day inherit the throne from his father, Prince Albert II.

Because to primogeniture (which was done away with in other royal households like Sweden and Great Britain), Jacques outranks Gabriella by virtue of being a male, despite her being older.

Enough with the technicalities.  Let’s coo over baby photos!  [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.

[Read more…]

The Princely Monaco Twins Wish You a Happy Christmas

Prince Albert Princess Charlene Prince Jacques Princess Gabriella Christmas Photo 2015

Facebook, Chris Morris / Palais Princier de Monaco

Oh my GOD, look at these little butterballs.

While Princess Charlene posed ever so elegantly, Princess Gabriella chewed on an ornament/apple and looked at something off camera…as you do.

Meanwhile, Prince Albert held Prince Jacques, who was likely in the middle of water color class when he was commanded to appear in the family’s 2015 Christmas card.  [Read more…]

The Babies Wore Dior: Monaco Twins Get Baptized, Didn’t Cry Once

Princes Jacques Princess Gabriella Monaco Christening

YouTube/Royal Life CZ

The princely little poppets of Monaco were baptized in a Catholic ceremony today, and I think this is the first time I’ve seen Princess Charlene so friggin’ happy.

Gabriella Thérése Marie and her younger brother (by two minutes) Jacques Honoré Rainier Grimaldi were born on December 10th, 2014.  Because of male primogeniture, Jacques is heir to the Monegasque throne.

 

The christening was live-streamed, according to People, showing off two five-month-olds with growing personality.  Jacques was described as “wide awake and playful” as he was carried into the Cathedral of Monaco by his mother,  while Gabriella snoozed in her dad, Prince Albert’s arms.  [Read more…]

Who Waved It Best – Prince George vs Prince Jacques

Prince George Newborn Waves Lindo Wing Prince Jacques Monaco Wave

Splash News/i-Images

Today in Monaco, new parents Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene posed with their twins, heir Prince Jacques and spare Princess Gabriella on the palace balcony.

Jacques, who will one day rule over the Monaco, is two minutes younger than Gabriella, but male primogeniture dictates that he is the heir (rude).  [Read more…]

Was Grace Kelly Really That Much More Stylish Than Kate Middleton?

As far as royal brides go, the Duchess of Cambridge is top of the pops in my book.  However, Conde Nast Brides readers decided that Grace Kelly, who married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956, outshone the former Catherine Middleton enough to take the top spot.

Fine.  OK.  Both ladies wore a similar design of lace and satin, though Catherine chose Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, while Princess Grace wore a creation by MGM costumer Helen Rose.  I found Grace’s design to be too severe, while Catherine’s dress just seemed to open up like the flower it was meant to “emulate.” [Read more…]