Beyond Words

Nobody does it like the Brits. Pomp. Circumstance. Royalty. Coronations. Early this morning they did it all for King Charles III’s official coronation and by “early” I mean really early…4 a.m. my time. And yes, I was up and watched it all. IYKYK I’m a huge royal watcher and I watched with one eye open and a somewhat broken heart as it should have been Diana being crowned Queen and not Camilla.

As you might imagine, I wasn’t there so much for the coronation as I was there for the spectacle. Rain or shine…and there was some rain…the Brits do it right and do it big. The synchronicity of the troops and guards was amazing and I loved them all…from the mounted ones to the Beefeaters to the bands atop horses and of course to the bag pipers. It was fun to watch.

I also watched the fashion and instead of this blog being on the actual coronation and all things King and Queen, it’s a sort of best and worst dressed. In short, it was a day of casual elegance and stylish sensibility for the most part. After the fashion spectacle that was the Met Gala last week, it was actually nice to see a group of those who could royally match them crown-to-crown…only with real crowns…keep it classy.  Let’s go…

As with any event she attends, Princess Kate was hands down the best dressed. The Princess of Wales wore formal regal robes and a blue Royal Victorian Order mantel edged in scarlet over an embroidered silk dress by Alexander McQueen. She also paid tribute to her late great mother-in-law Diana with a pair of Di’s earrings and like all other royals in attendance, did not wear a tiara. Instead, she opted for a crystal and silver bullion leaf headpiece. In a word: exquisite.

Next up Princess Charlotte. How adorable was she in her little caped dress and mommy matching headdress? Well done Kate on both counts.

I also thought Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s daughter and Charlotte’s cousin Lady Louise Windsor looked beautiful in her Suzannah London flowy dress, as did her mom. I’m a big fan of Sophie and love her quiet yet regal polish.

If there was any trend, it was monochromatic, with many an attendee opting for the look.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was perfection in her head-to-toe purple and Crown Prince Federik looked very handsome as did any and all the royal men in their formal uniforms.

Crown Princess Marie Chantal also went for a head-to-toe look with this Mary Katrantzou baby blue design with a unique accent bow. Check out her purse BTW, it’s a take off of the Marcel Proust book entitled “In Search of Lost Time.” I’m not sure what, if anything, it has to do with the day’s activities but at least it matches!

Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria almost always look elegant and she stayed true-to-form in this sleek royal blue dress, pillbox hat, and matching pumps and gloves. King Gustav III accompanied his daughter.

Almost monochromatic was Queen Rania of Jordan in this mellow yellow Tamara Ralph couture dress and accompanied by a suited King Abdullah II. I’m not crazy about the whiteness of her shoes and would have preferred a shade matching her dress, but when you look like she does just about anything works.

Charles sister Princess Ann had no trouble picking out what she wore, as she had a prominent role in the crowning event. She served as the official “Gold-Stick-in-Waiting,” a prestigious position that dates back to the 15^th century and one that was created to protect a monarch from harm. The accomplished equestrian rode on horseback behind her brother’s Gold State Coach and led 6,000 armed services personnel through the streets of London in procession and precision. She was the only royal to ride on horseback.

Her daughter, Zara Tindell, could have easily rode alongside her mom as she too is an accomplished equestrian, but instead she stunned in a light blue Laura Green coat dress and matching fascinator. She also wore a stunning pin of her mamma’s.

Staying true to her roots, Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan wore a beautiful purple and traditional kira and King Jigme Khesar also wore traditional attire. Both looked refined and tasteful.

Another standout was Queen Masenate Mohato Seeis of Lesotho who coordinated her elegant long gown with her husband, King Letsie III of Lesotho.

I’m not usually a fan of Princess Beatrice’s choice of fashion but I’m down with her belted fuchsia Beulah London dress and metallic headband. I also thought her choice of nude shoes and pearl clutch bag were brilliant.

Lady Helen Taylor stole my heart in this, to me, very British ensemble albeit with French sling-backs and I feel like it’s something we all could wear.

My votes for worst dressed go to Katy Perry and Princess Charlene of Monaco who both attempted the monochromatic trend but their ill-fitting tan and pink business-like suits respectively missed the mark. And Katy, please refrain from selfies while in attendance. Ugh.

That’s my take on the royal day. For now, I’m off to a Kentucky Derby party for which I’ll be sporting a festive fascinator and feeling all the royal feels as they win, place, and show at Churchill Downs. The very British Winston Churchill would feel right at home.