Queen Elizabeth II's Official Visit to Turkey May 13-16 2008

[BeatrixFan]

Ma'am, I love you but I suggest you call Danny La Rue and send the dress back. The Queen looks pure drag. Massive tiara, tacky bauble bracelet, a wierd necklace that looks like it's come from Billie's at Brighton and a frock that'd make Dame Edna look under-dressed. Big mistake here. The day outfits have all been lovely but I can't help but think HM looks like she's going to burst into a chorus of "Life is a Cabaret" in that fruit motif frock. All she needed was the false eyelashes.

[Empress]

Just a couple of questions:

1. Why was there controversy that the presidents wife wore an Islamic headscarf? (BBC photo caption)

2. I was under the impression that alcohol was forbidden in the Islamic religion, yet it appeared to be served at the state dinner, and both the Queen and the presidents wife were hoisting a glass!

[COUNTESS]

She is doing a great job. But, my mother is 93, still travels on her own, without 50 people carrying and doing things and just showing up. Her evening clothes are a lot better, too.

[wbenson]

Originally Posted by Empress

1. Why was there controversy that the presidents wife wore an Islamic headscarf? (BBC photo caption)

Turkey is a very secular country (at least compared to other countries that are predominantly Muslim), and the headscarf is seen as a political statement. She was even refused admittance to university many years ago because of it. Top military leaders (who see it as their duty to preserve secularism) typically refuse to attend events where she is present.

Originally Posted by Empress

2. I was under the impression that alcohol was forbidden in the Islamic religion, yet it appeared to be served at the state dinner, and both the Queen and the presidents wife were hoisting a glass!

I would imagine that that too is due to Turkey's secular nature.

[grevinnan]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

Yes, her day wear is stunning and her evening clothes just awful. Whomever designs her gown, makes everthing look the same. White sacks, this one with too much junk. The necklace goes with nothing she has on. She should have skipped it.

There is a story behind the dress. No need to be so negative. Hello has some interesting notations about the reason for the dress.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by Empress

Just a couple of questions:

1. Why was there controversy that the presidents wife wore an Islamic headscarf? (BBC photo caption)

This has now been responded to by wbenson. I think Mrs Gul's evening outfit looked lovely, cleverly combining her head covering with her pretty gown.

2. I was under the impression that alcohol was forbidden in the Islamic religion, yet it appeared to be served at the state dinner, and both the Queen and the presidents wife were hoisting a glass!

We see the glass, but we don't know what's in it.

[Roslyn]

Originally Posted by grevinnan

There is a story behind the dress. No need to be so negative. Hello has some interesting notations about the reason for the dress.

Whatever the reason for the dress, it looks shapeless to me, and I think the choice of pattern was odd. For one thing I'd have put the pattern over the right breast so there was a white spot for the medal or order or whatever it is to be placed. Some cleverly draped fabric would add interest to that very simple style of dress, too. I would prefer more interesting lines and less pattern. And I don't think the straight lines of the tiara match the rounded lines of the necklace, either. Yes, I know she's 82 and I'm being very critical, and of course it is only my opinion, but HM's day outfits are so very smart these days, and I expect her to look at least as good at night, especially with all the resources available to her.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by giov

Britain's Queen Elizabeth , Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa Gul are pictured during a dinner at the Presidential Palace in Ankara May 13, 2008.
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The evening gown is OK, better than some older ladies tend to dress in. The Tiara appears to have been secured too far forward and at the wrong angle.

[Turkish Delight]

Originally Posted by Empress

Just a couple of questions:

1. Why was there controversy that the presidents wife wore an Islamic headscarf? (BBC photo caption)

2. I was under the impression that alcohol was forbidden in the Islamic religion, yet it appeared to be served at the state dinner, and both the Queen and the presidents wife were hoisting a glass!

I am from Turkey & I will tell everything to you!

1. It's a personal choice to wear headscarf! She can wear or not.It is a choice & lots of Turk women do not wear it. Turkey is NOT an Islamic country. Turkey is the only LAIC(SECULAR) moslem country. We do not think everything for Islam. Turkey is like a European country ,not like Iran or Saudi Arabia.

2. Like I said before Turkey is laic, not Islamic & everyone can drink alcohol when & where they want!

[Turkish Delight]

Originally Posted by wbenson

Turkey is a very secular country (at least compared to other countries that are predominantly Muslim), and the headscarf is seen as a political statement. She was even refused admittance to university many years ago because of it. Top military leaders (who see it as their duty to preserve secularism) typically refuse to attend events where she is present.



I would imagine that that too is due to Turkey's secular nature.

Yes, my country Turkey is very secular country(laic country), she was refused from university because of wearing it! It is a personal choice to wear it, but Turkey is laic & we do not allow somethings to protect laic & modern Turkey! In universities girls can not wear it!

Everybody can drink alcohol when & where they want in Turkey.

[BeatrixFan]

This headscarf thing is so silly. There is absolutely no part of Islam that says a scarf should be worn, it just says the head should be covered. The Queen could have just kept her hat on. What sense does this make?

[Turkish Delight]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

This headscarf thing is so silly. There is absolutely no part of Islam that says a scarf should be worn, it just says the head should be covered. The Queen could have just kept her hat on. What sense does this make?

I totally agree with you! Lots of Turkish women already don't wear it! But if some women want to wear nobody can say something.

[giov]

Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Turkey's president Abdullah Gul and Turkey's First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul stand in front of the Ortakoy Mosque and Bosphorus bridge during their visit in Istanbul, Turkey on 15 May 2008.
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Queen Elizabeth II arrives at a Turkish school during her visit in Istanbul, Turkey on 15 May 2008.
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[PrincessofEurope]

that grape dress is awful she wore it to the banquet for the summmit of the G7 leaders in scotland and then it was put on display in B Palace for her 80th birthday and i saw it and its even worse close up as it appears very heavy beading and the grapes are huge plus the size of the dress is huge!!!

day 3 very bright and bold again not my fave even her hat disappoints
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81092798&cdi=0
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81092787&cdi=0

2nd day i adored this outfit from ladies day last year it was lovely has she worn it with a jacket this time (i never remenber seeing the full lenght form last year so i dont know if the original was a coat or not) the hat is wonderfull
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81080317&cdi=0
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81080272&cdi=0
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81081543&cdi=0

ist day arrival in the back and green very bold but lovely hat (could be worn in june at ascot its that type of outfit)
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81073176&cdi=0
http://legacyeditorial.gettyimages.c...81073184&cdi=0

[Jo of Palatine]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

The evening gown is OK, better than some older ladies tend to dress in. The Tiara appears to have been secured too far forward and at the wrong angle.

You're right about the tiara, it looks more like part of a helmet the way it covers the hair. Maybe secretly the queen dreams of a golden tiara net like the infamous poppies of queen Margarethe?

You can see them here:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...9&d=1071376973

[qui mal y pense]

I actually thought the Queen looked quite regal at the banquet. She obviously takes interest in her wardrobe and I admire her tackling a trip like this at her age. It is wonderful.

[QueenMaharet]

She is doing a great job. But, my mother is 93, still travels on her own, without 50 people carrying and doing things and just showing up. Her evening clothes are a lot better, too.

COUNTESS:
Well good for your mother, but why do you have to be such a put down? Do you make your mother carry everything and not offer to help? Perhaps we should make your mother queen, would that make you happy? My guess would be you could find something to complain about no matter what. So the Queen has people to do things for her......that kind of comes with the job. Perhaps your mother can give the Queen tips on evening wear too.

I'm not sure if I like the evening gown or not, but I adore the day clothes. I thought she didn't wear black though?

[Russophile]

Originally Posted by Jo of Palatine

You're right about the tiara, it looks more like part of a helmet the way it covers the hair. Maybe secretly the queen dreams of a golden tiara net like the infamous poppies of queen Margarethe?

You can see them here:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums...9&d=1071376973

Oh that's interesting, Jo. Maybe HM would get one less busy to suit her character more. I think Queen Margarethe is a little more animated and less reserved than HM.

[Elise27]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

She is doing a great job. But, my mother is 93, still travels on her own, without 50 people carrying and doing things and just showing up. Her evening clothes are a lot better, too.

That's wonderful for your mother. but im assuming that your mother doesnt have to meet with endless numbers of people, shake their hands, look like she's not bored out of her mind, going from one place to the next, plus im guessing that if your mother feels tired she can just go and lie down,i dont think that the queen has that option or allows herself that option at least, unless she's really sick. Not to mention that Im guessing your mother takes trips for pleasure not for work and gets to chose were she goes and the sites she visits. Trust me its more enjoyable that way. Its a gruelling schedule for anyone regardless of age even more so for two people who are 82 and 86.
And yeah the queens evening clothes could be better, but lets give her a break, she is 82. I dont criticize people that age because they are not fashionable enough, its not like she is wearing horrifying extravagant dresses anyway, for the most part she plays it safe and well she is 82, i dont know that many 82 yr olds that have evening gowns that are fashionable or much better than the queens.

[Elise27]

I do have to mention though, I love the queen, but she has looked particularly grumpy during this trip. My first thought at seeing some of the pics of her looking extremely serious while at the mosque, were "this is one lady i would not like to anger!" she looks like she can be quite scary when she's angry.