I just showed the pics to Mom and she noticed Charlene looking tired and fragile as well, but something else popped into my mind...
For all who are not happy w/the colour of the dress, what if she went w/that incredible blue in the thought of it underneath those vivid three colours of the Order Sash would really make the Order Sash stand out in the photos? If she'd worn red, it would have blended in too much, if green the barbs about Christmas colours in the Summer would be everywhere. That blue truly does make the Order Sash pop and draws the eye to it right off the bat. As should be, as the Presentation of this Order is the reason for the event and the more I think of, the more it makes sense.
Just something to consider.
Oh and as for the Sash's fit two things...
Easy to get the drape right when it's being pinned to your clothing in the front and back.
The biggie though...I have yet to see an Order Sash of any kind, regardless of the body shape, that drapes properly on a Princess/Queen who is carrying a....sizeable bump. (trying to say that in a nice non snarky way was not easy, but I hope I pulled it off.). It just does not work or look good. Crown Princess Victoria at The Nobel Banquet while pregnant w/Estelle is the most recent example I can think of.
So yes, the drape is off, but it also perfectly proves just how good a job the photo angles and draping of the dress did in hiding the true size of the bump.
Once again, just something to consider.
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