ROYAL COUTURE.....Investiture of Willem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands

The Royal Gowns: Princesses from around the World--and a Duchess-at the "Blue Carpet" of the Investiture Ceremony of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, April 30, 2013

If you read my last post, you know that the European nation of the Netherlands has been celebrating the crowning of a new King--and his queen consort. Rumored to be one of the wealthiest royals (and women) in the world, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially abdicated on Tuesday, thereby making her oldest son:

 Caped King and Queen: Willem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands during the Investiture ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Willem-Alexander the King of the Netherlands and his Argentinian wife, Queen Máxima. I already discussed Máxima's COUTURE HERE so now it's time to talk about the Royal Guests and their fashion...

Eleganza Dinner: For the Pre-Crowning Dinner the night before the actual Investiture, lots of Euro Royals attended in their best gowns as seen above: (left to right) Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Letizia, Crown Princess of Spain, Mette-Marit Crown Princess of Norway; Mary Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat; Victoria Crown Princess of Sweden Duchess of Västergötland

For the Following Day--The Investiture--The Royal Guests "Blue Carpet": 

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall: Charles looked dashing in his ensemble and I have to say, I thought Camilla looked quite elegant in this Empire-waist light blue gown with "glove length" sleeves and center front box pleat. Her hair looked divine, along with that feathered headdress and she accessorized the entire look with simple pearls. Well done Camilla.

Alois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and Sophie Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein and Countess Rietberg: I love the apple green color on Sophie's gown. She wore a side-draped crepe dress in a very 1940's silhouette. And that hat...she was definitely vibing Wallis Simpson for sure!

Princess Mathilde, Duchess of Brabant and Prince Philippe of Belgium: Mathilde is a bit of a Fashion Plate--she loves wearing Natan (a Belgium Fashion House) as well as Armani Prive (only COUTURE darlings!). Here she is in a draped back light pink flared gown with princess seams and a side slit. The wide-brimmed hat is a great exuberant touch.

Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederik: I LOVE this silk crepe gown on Australian-born Mary. Once again (like Liechtenstein's Princess) she went 1940's in terms of the silhouette and style of this dress; the exaggerated Bishop/blouson sleeves (especially LOVE!), the fitted midriff section and the lightly flared floor-length skirt with curved hem. It had a wonderful colored flower applique detail and it was all topped off with a tulle and feathered fascinator. Very nice Mary!

Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Guillaume Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg: Stéphanie wore a beige suit-gown featuring a jacquard printed jacket with a pleated/draped side waist detail and a-line dress shape. She looked very "Mother-of-the-Bride" in this. I think it aged her. She should have worn something a little "younger"-looking.

Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon: I thought she looked great in this blue and white printed gown with long sleeves. She looked elegant yet interesting and I love how her hat matched.

Crown Princes Masako and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan: Masako made a rare public appearance in the Netherlands on Tuesday wearing this off-white very covered up gown. Not only was it completely covered up, she had long sleeves, a turtleneck band and release-pleat detail at the skirt section: The entire ensemble--with that pillbox hat--was so 1950's/1960's and from another era. Princess Masako looked like a Couture Nun! Please Masako, I want to see some skin, some youthful exuberance...you're not a 70 year-old woman!

Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland and Daniel, Duke of Västergötland: Victoria looked radiant in this light mint green gown with fitted waistband, long sleeves, center front slit and front neckline keyhole. Thank goodness she showed a little bit of skin (take note Princess Masako!). PS: Love the fab hat. And P.P.S. : Why does Daniel look so tired? Really, what does he have to do???

Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco and Prince Albert of Monaco: Princess Lalla Salma is the princess consort of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. She looked great in a traditional Moroccan kaftan--this time in emerald green with gold and multicolored jeweled details. Prince Albert showed up sans Princess Charlene in a very dashing white tie tuxedo with tails.

 

Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar: Sheikha Mozah is the second of three wives of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. The always COUTURE Fabulous Sheikha Mozah wore a navy blue gown and cape from Valentino Haute Couture Fall 2012.

I absolute adore this on the fashion-savvy Sheikha. Especially since it was so close in terms of silhouette to what the Queen Maxima wore for her investiture. I can only imagine the gasps from the Dutch royal pr people thinking  "Oh Dear! The Sheikha might upstage our new Queen!". Speaking of fabulous and COUTURE, it didn't end with the Investiture for the Sheikha...

Valentino Couture Sheikha: She decided to wear another gown form the House of Valentino--Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2013--for the after-Investiture "Water Pageant" boat party. Her gown was customized (it's what happens when you're paying for a $100,000+ Haute Couture gown!) and had the V-Neck raised (much more appropriate) and added a jeweled waistband as well.

Crown Princess Letizia and Crown Prince Felipe of Spain: Princess Letizia wore a gray-blue lace gown from Spanish fashion designer Felipe Varela, one of her favorite go-to designers. I thought she looked thoroughly elegant and very Española in all that lace. Felipe looked good too!