Royal Flashback of the Day: Edward and Sophie's Windsor Wedding

The wedding of the Earl and Countess of Wessex in 1999 might be a good prototype for what we'll see later this month...or it might not, because who knows?! But still, it was a televised royal wedding at St. George's Chapel that was not a state occasion and included a carriage ride through Windsor, so at least some of the circumstances are similar. Let's look back...

One immediate difference: Edward and Sophie chose to hold their wedding a little later in the day, so the ladies wore longer dresses and ditched the hats (mostly; the Queen had a headpiece and the Queen Mother wore a hat anyway) so they were ready for the evening party. The couple played up their wedding venue with capes echoing the famous Garter robes for the children in the bridal party, which was super cute.

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Sophie wore a necklace and earrings designed by Prince Edward and a tiara on loan from the Queen, which hadn't been seen before that day and was made or altered for her from existing pieces. The bride's ensemble was by designer Samantha Shaw and included a coat with a train over a dress. The wedding gown was made of ivory silk organza with tulle and silk crepe, adorned with pearls and cut-glass beads.

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There's the dress that was underneath, worn on its own as the couple left for their honeymoon. Very similar, but maybe I like this even more than what we saw at the ceremony?

And there's your video, for a complete walk down memory lane. Happy Friday!

May 04, 2018

Royal Fashion Awards: Royal Ascot 2018, Day 1

Ascot has arrived! A five day festival of royal hats and more. Was the royal wedding the best of the Windsor chapeaux for the year, or were they just getting started? We are about to find out. To the awards! (For the Queen and the Princess Royal, hit up the Jewel Vault.)

Best in Hats

The Duchess of Sussex

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The Givenchy dress may not be much more than a shrug for me, but the hat's a strong YES. Ascot is precisely the place to go to get your Dynasty on, so this sculptural number from Philip Treacy is *chef's kiss*. My favorite from the royal crew on Day 1.

Philip Treacy hat

Best in Brooch

The Countess of Wessex

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Sophie's outfit gets a meh-but-YES from me, too. The dress, a new one from Emilia Wickstead, is okay; I think the variation between the heavy black trim on the dress and the light trim on the Jane Taylor hat is what's giving me the mehs. (Two days in a row I want her to go all black with the accessories, maybe? At least I'm consistent.) (Until tomorrow, probably.) Her brooch, on the other hand, is a debut and it is a delicate diamond rose and it is soooo lovely. It's similar to a few in the Queen's collection, although I don't recognize it as one we've seen on Her Maj. Get a lot of use out of that one, Sophie. Pretty please.

Emilia Wickstead Pink Dionne Macramé-trimmed Crepe Dress

Best in Monochrome

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

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I do so love it when the York sisters turn up in a pair of winning outfits. Both taking the monochrome approach to hats n' dresses (plus neutrals for the accessories) paid off here. Beatrice's Claire Mischevani dress is a rich jacquard, paired with a matching hat from Juliette Botterill. Eugenie brought a modern feel to the racecourse in a coat from Osman and hat by Emily London. Somehow even the rogue graduation tassel on Eugenie's hat works, this is some kind of sorcery.

Claire Mischevani pale blue jacquard pleat dress, Osman Fleur tie-waist cotton-blend coat, Emily London Alcor hat

Best in Basics

The Duchess of Cornwall

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Am I a big fan of this pale gold on Camilla? I am not. I don't think it's her best shade. Would the shape and details of this dress and hat be divine in another color? They surely would. (The dress is by Dior.) She also could have taken a bigger version of her trademark pearl choker here, I think; she's opted for a standard pick, her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp and her Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings.

Runner Up in Hats

Princess Haya

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Princess Haya, here with husband Sheikh Mohammed and kids Sheikh Zayed and Sheikha Jalila, combined the York color strategies. The Philip Treacy hat's the standout here, with a large flower on top and flowers underneath in the back. Interesting enough for Ascot without going overboard. My second fave chapeau for Day 1.

Roland Mouret Blue Etty Square-neck Crepe Dress

Most in Danger of a Millinery Escape

Princess Michael of Kent

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Speaking of going overboard, this hat seems ready to jump right out of the carriage at any time. I feel like she needs a chinstrap just to be safe. Well, Ascot is as much a place for hats with a mind of their own as it is for Dynasty throwbacks.

Who's taking home your awards for Day 1?

We'll be following Ascot throughout the week here and at the Vault, so stay tuned for Days 2 through 5...

June 20, 2018