Last week the Princess of Asturias attended a series of events during the Prince of Asturias Awards. As always her fashion choices were heavily scrutinised by royal watchers. During the three days of engagements, Letizia choose to wear the designs of royal favourite Felipe Varela.

On arrival in Asturias, Letizia combined a grey shift dress with a black Burberry coat and one of her favourite Burberry bags. image The simple dress was in the classic style which the Princess favours. image Later that evening at a musical concert, Letizia dazzled in a recycled Varela creation of a blue silk blouse worn with a short black skirt which had small blue daisy detailing on the hem. Her towering blue platforms were from Magrit. image On the following day, Letizia choose another plain light grey dress which was worn with a black belt and a favourite pair of suede Magrit platforms. image

At the award cermony in the evening Letizia wore a stunning midnight blue sequin encrusted dress with a simple cardigan. image Letizia accessorised with matching blue Magrit shoes and a clutch bag. image On the final day of engagements the Princess wore a casual tweed jacket from Felipe Varela which she clinched in at the waist with a tiny belt. Unusually the Princess wore flat boots at the event. image

For more information of the Prince of Asturias Awards 2009 go to this thread.

PrincessofEurope Spanish Royals Fashion, Prince of Asturias Awards, Princess Letizia, Princess of Asturias

Collage by salma

King Abdullah II & Queen Rania of Jordan just ended a 3 day state visit to Italy. The couple had a busy schedule with different events from daytime to gala dinners. Each event Queen Rania turned up wearing a different outfit. As Queen Rania arrived in Rome, she was seen wearing a lovely navy/royal blue velvet jacket, skirt and a ruffled top matched with a wide belt picture.

As the state visit started the next morning, day 1, with a ceremony welcoming at the Presidential Palace, Queen Rania choose to wear a Fendi balck & white dress with a matching black jacket and a belt, the outfit was matched with beige shoes and a beige bag which didnt really match the outfit (Can I add that part in, my opinion) picture. For the next event on day 1, Rania choose to wear a solid black cocktail dress which had weird cuts on the waist yet was flattering picture. Later that evening Queen Rania wore an Armani prive evening dress for the gala dinner, the dress was black velvet with a white upper part picture.

On day 2 Queen Rania went for a similar look that has been seen in the past, a black pleated skirt with a brown leather jacket by Prada and a belt which really didn’t match the look picture. Later that day, Queen Rania was seen in a silver Prada dress at two other events with nicely done hair picture. Later that evening, the Jordan royals held a dinner for the Italian President and his wife where Queen Rania went for a white evening dress said to be by French designer Stephane Rolland, the dress was Greek inspired picture.

The final day of the visit, Queen Rania was spotted in a lovely orange/red dress which she wore a nice greyish trench coat with brown fur trimming over it picture.

dazzling Jordanian Royals Fashion, Italy, Queen Rania, State Visit

HSH the late Princess Grace was awarded the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award last Thursday, October 22nd in a ceremony in Beverly Hills. The Princess’ son, Prince Albert II, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of his mother.

View the image at Getty Images

During the awards ceremony and following cocktail party, which benefited the Princess Grace Foundation-USA and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Prince Albert mingled with celebrities like Demi Moore, Jenna Elfman and Angie Harmon. Actress Debra Messing later presented the Prince with his mother’s award, a miniature version of the 14-foot sculpture “Torso” which stands on the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way. Messing stated, “You can’t think of fashion as we know it without thinking of Princess Grace. She is glamour. She is Hollywood. She’s modern, elegant, sophisticated.”

View the image at ANP

Monaco’s 51-year-old sovereign endeared the audience during his acceptance speech, sharing that “at heart, my mother was an artist.” Albert told of his mother’s passion for the arts and her dedication to improving the lives of others. He also spoke of the Princess Grace Foundation, and how it is honouring the Princess’ legacy.

The award, which is presented annually to “honour style legends for their contributions to the worlds of fashion and entertainment”, is awarded by the Rodeo Drive Committee, and this year also went to French jewellery house Cartier. Past winners include designers Tom Ford, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Manolo Blahnik, Valentino Garavani and photographer Mario Testino.

Click here to read more about Princess Grace’s award, and other homages to her memory.

JessRulz Monaco Royals Awards, Fashion, Grace Kelly, Prince Albert II, Princess Grace, United States of America

 Since Queen Rania became Queen in 1999 she has been seen in many dresses by the international Lebenese designer Elie Saab who has dressed royalty and celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Haly Berry. Queen Rania has worn varioues dresses mostly which came down the Haute Couture runway and recently seen in his Ready-to-Wear line which came out recently. Dresses have been worn on state visits, official and private events as well as for photoshoots

Queen Rania was first seen when it was her husbands King Abdullah II’s coronation in a two piece gold embroidered organza gown with lace inserts here. Elie Saab has also created a few dresses with alterations to the original piece as this worn on a state visit to Swedenhere, also to an event in Jerash, Jordan, the designer created one of his ultra modern gowns into a traditional looking gown which was a perfect choice for Queen Rania here and another more traditional looking gown here in shades of blue. In November 2004 while expecting her son Hashem, Queen Rania wore a lovely green and black gown which was a perfect choice for a pregnant women, matched with a fur wrap here. To a private wedding reception of her brother in law, Prince Hamzah, Queen Rania choice a lovely white dress which was embroidered here. A few other gowns Queen Rania wore of the designer here, here, here.

dazzling Jordanian Royals Elie Saab, Fashion, Queen Rania

 Princess Letizia has hit a high note fashion-wise. Earlier this year, the princess was named to Vanity Fair magazine’s Best Dressed List for 2009, where she came in at number 2. However, Vanity Fair isn’t the only non fashion-focused magazine to notice Letizia. Time magazine has recently featured her in an article that focuses on her fashions.

Since the announcement of her engagement to Crown Prince Felipe of Spain in 2003, the world has taken notice of Letizia. The former Letizia Ortiz worked as a journalist before her marriage to Felipe. Her style often reflected this at the beginning of their marriage. Letizia often relied on serious-looking business suits for public engagements. Over the years, as she has grown more comfortable with her role as a princess, Letizia has become more fashionable. Her wardrobe features the work of many Spanish designers, from the affordable Zara to the more exclusive Felipe Varela. The princess has become known for her love of platform shoes and form-fitting silhouettes. Her clothing has become brighter, and she has steered herself away from the “news anchor” look of 2003. The article in Time quotes Spanish journalist Maria Jose Iglesias, who says,”she has done more for Spanish fashion in the last five years than decades of catwalks and advertisments”.

To see more royal fashions, including those of Princess Letizia, please visit this thread.

sgl Spanish Royals Fashion, Princess Letizia

 Denmark’s two princesses, Mary and Marie, have both been out this week to support the Danish fashion industry. The pair have attended several fashion shows and events connected to Copenhagen Fashion Week, and for Crown Princess Mary, her patronage of the Copenhagen International Fashion Festival (CIFF).

Crown Princess Mary’s first Fashion Week event was on Wednesday the 5th, when she attended the Ole Yde fashion show at the Copenhagen Town Hall. Wearing an outfit which was, in this blogger’s opinion, much less than inspiring; Mary sat front row with her stylist Anja Camilla Aladi and friend Jean Ahlefeldt-Laurvig to watch the collection paraded before them. Yde’s most notable garment is probably the ice-blue gown he designed for the Crown Princess to wear at the wedding of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie last year.

The following day, Thursday August 6th, Mary attended CIFF at the Bella Centre. She toured several stands of Danish designers’ collections, and then watched the CIFF Kids fashion parade. Wearing a lovely white sleeveless dress with a black belted waist, Mary spoke with reporters from BT, and told how much she loves Danish fashion. In the evening, the Crown Princess attended the BOSS Orange collection show, once again accompanied by Aladi.

Read more…

JessRulz Danish Royals CIFF, Fashion, Patronage, Princess Marie, Princess Mary

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missnad has made the Vanitys Fair 2009 International Best-Dressed List for the very first time. Sheikha Mozah who has been on the international scene many times in Couture pieces as as Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stephan Rolland and Chanel which are just a few to name. Sheikha Mozah has also been seen in a number of shoes by the famous designer Christian Louboutin. Sheikha Mozah made a few headlines wearing a floor length plum silk gown with buttons down the front and a lovely draping at the back matched with a diamond-and-pearl evening belt when meeting with President Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni for state dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

For the discussion visit this thread

dazzling Qatar Royals Fashion, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser

 The engagement between The Lady Helen Marina Lucy Windsor and Timothy Taylor was announced on 8th January 1992. image Tim gave Lady Helen an art deco ring of a square cut emerald surrounded by diamonds. The couple married on 18th July 1992 in St George’s Chapel Windsor. image A reception was held at the Kent family’s country home of Cocker End House in Nettlebed Oxfordshire. image

Lady Helen ‘s wedding dress was designed by Catherine Walker of the Chelsea Design Company, who was a favourite of the Princess of Wales and also the bride’s mother, the Duchess of Kent. image The Tudor style gown fitted perfectly with the surrounding of St George’s Chapel. The pearl-white dress was made from heavy silk featured a fitted bodice and full skirt which formed a six-foot train. image The deep v-neckline and cap sleeves were heavily embroidered with silver diamante and pearls. image This detailing complemented the bride’s jewellery. Holding in place the veil was a diamond and pearl tiara which had been a family heirloom of her mother’s family. image The Duchess of Kent had worn the piece to her own wedding in 1963. Lady Helen also wore a diamond and pearl necklace and matching earrings. Read more…

PrincessofEurope British Royals Fashion, Lady Helen Taylor, Wedding Anniversary

Image from TRF Avatar Collection

 The engagement between HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz was announced on 30th May 1978. The official pictures were taken by Lord Lichfield. image The couple were unable to marry in an Anglican chuch because she was divorced and the Catholic Church also refused to recognise the union. The Queen had given her consent to the couple’s marriage and it was announced that Marie-Christine would become Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent. However by marrying a Catholic, Prince Michael had to give up his rights to the throne – in 1978 he was 15th in the line of succession. An English civil marriage that involved a member of the Royal Family was not allowed at the time thus they choose to marry in Vienna, Austria. The couple married in the town hall in Vienna on 30th June 1978 surrounded only by close family. Princess Anne, the Duke of Kent, Lady Helen Windsor (now Taylor) and Princess Alexandra with her husband Angus Ogilvy were the only members of the British royal family to attend. image Marie-Christine wore a simple cream suit by British royal designer Hardy Amies. image

Following the civil cermony, a ball was held that night in Schwarzenberg Palace for the couple. The bride wore a Bellville Sassoon cream silk crepe gown. The dress had a pin tucked bodice, a deep neckline with see trough panel and lace trim. image There was a small train and the skirt of the dress had inserts of Chantilly lace. image Read more…

PrincessofEurope British Royals Fashion, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, Wedding Anniversary

Image from TRF Avatar Collection

 For the past 17 years, Lady Helen Taylor has been serving as the fashion ambassador and muse to designer Giorgio Armani. The partnership began in 1992, when Armani designed a wedding outfit for the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, who was then known as Lady Helen Windsor. In addition to working as a fashion ambassador, Lady Helen was a constant presence at the many Armani runway shows over the years.

The partnership has not ended due to any conflict or bad feelings between the royal and the designer. Like many other things, it has been affected by the global recession, and it has become increasingly difficult for Armani to sustain the costs of having a fashion ambassador, according to a recent article from Fashion United. Unfortunately, even royalty and top fashion designers are not immune to the effects of the financial crisis.

Armani was not the only company that Lady Helen has worked for as an ambassador. In the past, she has worked with the world-famous jewelry company, Bulgari.

For more information about Lady Helen Taylor, please visit this thread.

Photo courtesy of The Royal Forums avatar collection.

sgl British Royals Fashion, Giorgio Armani, Lady Helen Taylor