ROYAL COUTURE.....Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Charlene of Monaco

Fashion Lesson #235: How to Dress For Holiday Parties...if You're a Royal! United Kingdom: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge looks festive and regal at the same time, attending The Sun Military Awards in London wearing Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton. The gown, a strapless very fitted black velvet (a very "Holiday" fabrication)"fit-to-flare" dress featured mini-ruffle detail at the sweetheart neckline.

Princess Diana, 1985 with John Travolta at The White House

It's rather 80's in its style and silhouette and harks back to the "Princess Diana" days, I must say. It's like she's "channeling" her, if you will. But it still looks quite lovely on her---naturally most ANYTHING looks quite lovely on the Duchess of Cambridge. I especially love her modern, soft yet elegant hair style. At least she didn't put it up in a big up-do--now that really would have made the entire ensemble look very 80's. I also love the Art-Deco style necklace and bracelet. Hard to go wrong with jewels like those!! Monaco: Princess Charlene of Monaco is seen in photos above and below as she arrives for the Ein Herz fuer Kinder ("A Heart For The Children") Charity Gala on December 17, 2011 in Berlin, Germany, in this strapless silk organza maroon gown. The gown features layers and tiers of organza "petals". She wore it with a matching shawl (very Princess-like), her hair swept-up and little jewelry, save for some delicate drop earrings. She carried a golden metallic clutch. A modern look for a modern princess. Sweden: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on December 10, 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Princess, as you may know (if you've been keeping up with the Royals like I have), is very pregnant and is showing pregnant women EVERYWHERE that they to, can dazzle during the Holidays. This gown is well, A LOT of gown, and features A LOT of midnight-blue sequins. But somehow, it's still not overwhelming. It's Gala-appropriate, entrance-making, and definitely worthy of a Crown Princess. The gown, designed by Swedish designer Pär Engsheden (who also created her Wedding Gown) features a dropped bateau neck (good choice since it exposed just "a little bit" of skin), it was fitted and so not Pregnant Mu-Mu, and had a very dramatic train.

Dazzling and Pregnant: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

This year's awards had added resonance for Victoria, who is the only female heir apparent in the world. Three women were honored bringing the total number of female peace prize laureates to 15. Recipients were Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and women's right activist Leymah Gbowee, also of Liberia, and democracy activist Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.

Queen Silvia of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony at Stockholm Concert Hall on December 10, 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Her mother, Queen Silvia also dazzled in a peach and gold brocade gown with a much more open neckline than her daughter's. The fitted gown, created by one of her favorite designers, Jacques Zehnder Paris, also had cap-gathered long sleeves and a dramatic "pouf" full back. This is actually a "repeat" gown for Queen Silvia. She wore this same gown for her daughter Crown Princess Victoria's Pre-Wedding Dinner last year. Finally... Luxembourg: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, also attended the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony last week, and besides that OUTRAGEOUS Chaumet Emerald Tiara, a tucked-in baby blue satin sash, a pearl choker necklace and diamond earrings, she also wore a maroon-red off-the-shoulder gown with an over-sized waist-bow (that's a descriptive mouthful!) from Elie Saab. With all that stuff going on, she was two minutes away from looking like a Christmas Tree! Oh and guess what? It was also a "Repeat": Maria Teresa wore the same Elie Saab gown back in April when she attended--along with her husband, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Pre-Wedding Dinner of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--then Prince William and Kate. I guess, the economy has hit the royals as well---or at least, they may be thinking that it may not be "kosher" in this day and age to well, look soooo rich, and therefore, they are being "Recessionistas" when it comes to repeating their Couture at high profile events. Irregardless, I think she looked "prettier" here than at the Nobel Prize Award Gala, where she was too "accessorized". What do you guys think? Let me know!