A Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the life, dedication, duty and legacy of the late Duke of Edinburgh was held today at Westminster Abbey.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to London on Sunday following an eight-day tour of Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas. During Prince Philip's funeral, the Queen was determined to comply with Covid-19 regulations and ensure the Royal family were not afforded special privileges families all over the country were not. It meant their great-grandchildren could not attend the funeral. Today the older great-grandchildren, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, joined their parents.
The Cambridges arriving.
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/Yjp3tkDO3q
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 29, 2022
It was very much unclear as to whether or not Her Majesty would be able to attend. In wonderful news, owing to detailed planning between royal aides and Westminster Abbey, the monarch was there. She wouldn't have wanted to miss this for the world, so it was splendid she was well enough to be there. People reports "despite disquiet" among members of the family the Queen insisted the Duke of York accompany her.
The Wessexes arriving.
The video below includes an hour of guest arrivals.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall lead the royals inside. You'll notice a theme of green, black and navy in the ensembles worn by both British and European royals.
A lovely photo of Kate and Charlotte.
The royals take their seats.
Buckingham Palace said: "The Service of Thanksgiving will incorporate some elements planned for the funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh, which were unable to go ahead due to Covid restrictions in place at the time. This includes Gold Award Holders from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and representatives from UK Cadet Force Associations, step lining the entry routes into Westminster Abbey for members of the Royal Family and other guests. His Royal Highness was Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force, a role he first took up in 1953. The Queen has also been actively involved in the plans for today’s Service of Thanksgiving, with many elements reflecting Her Majesty’s wishes."
Her Majesty singing a hymn.
The Palace statement continued: "It was also His Royal Highness’ expressed wish that clergy from the Royal Estates of Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral - known as The Queen’s domestic chaplains - played a part in the funeral service, given The Duke’s active role in the day-to-day management of the Estates. As this was not possible due to Covid restrictions in April 2021, the Minister of Crathie Church, the Rector of Sandringham and the Chaplain to the Royal Chapel of All Saints, Windsor Great Park, will offer prayers today recognising The Duke of Edinburgh’s energy and spirit of adventure".
Flowers at the service will be in shades of red, white and blue. Each carrying notable personal and professional significance for the Duke. The larger floral arrangements featured red roses, carnations and Gerbera, white roses, Eustoma and large white chrysanthemums and blue agapanthus, delphinium and eryngium (known as sea holly).
The smaller posies featured red freesias, alstroemeria and spray roses, white dendrobium orchids, freesias and Eustoma and blue iris and eryngium. Orchids featured in the Queen’s wedding bouquet in 1947, and sea holly echoes the Duke of Edinburgh’s career in the Navy, and lifelong affection for the sea.
‘In grateful remembrance of The Prince Philip, we then commit ourselves to live as he lived, in faith, in the service of Her Majesty, and with a greater reverence for our world and our neighbours.’
The guests join in song.
Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family attend the Thanksgiving Service for HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the longest serving Prince Consort for a British monarch and The Queen's beloved husband for over seven decades. @RoyalFamily @wabbey pic.twitter.com/xjVvfR48xu
— BBC Studios Events Productions (@BBCS_Events) March 29, 2022
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Dean of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal, reads Philippians 4: 4–9: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.’
A brief video recapping the service.
Following the service, the Abbey bell ringers are rang 699 changes of Stedman Caters.
Following the service, the Abbey bell ringers are ringing 699 changes of Stedman Caters. pic.twitter.com/VY3w1fzDp2
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 29, 2022
Click here to read the Order of Service in its entirety.
The royals and guests depart.
I noted earlier we saw a theme of green, black and navy ensembles for the Service of Thanksgiving. The Duchess chose a vintage-inspired Alessandra Rich midi dress in black spot print.
The past season style is a 1970s inspired piece made from silk crepe de chine. It features a drop waist pleated skirt and puffed sleeve. It originally retailed for £1,495. Kate added a custom belt.
Kate's woven straw braid hat is Lock & Co's Mayer Boater. The £775 piece is finsihed with a satin cord and feather trim.
The Duchess accessorised with Diana's Collingwood pearls.
The Duchess carried her Russell & Bromley Curvy clutch.
Kate wore her black suede Gianvito Rossi pumps.
A fitting and poignant Service of Thanksgiving. Prince Philip's legacy endures in his families and the causes he supported. It was particularly special to see the Queen there.
I anticipate the Duke and Duchess will take a week or two off to enjoy the rest of the Easter break in Norfolk with the children.
I don’t like this dress with the hat. It looks way too matrimonial on Kate.
ReplyDeleteI think you mean Mattingly.
DeleteI agree with you. The dress is matronly and I don't personally care for the hat on her. It seems too harsh with her delicate features.
DeleteI thought her dress & hat looked fabulous, she looked sophisticated & elegant. She wears her clothes well.
DeleteShe looked elegant,modern and very pretty
DeleteI see what your saying! I love the outfit on her though. I love the picture hat. She always looks good. I imagine we will be seeing dress again at some point.
DeleteI think maybe the word you were looking for was “matronly” as “matrimonial” would imply being connected to a wedding.
DeleteIn any event, I think I’d approach Kate’s look yesterday as being “mature.” And I don’t mean that in the sense that she looks “old.” What I see in Kate is a woman, a mother of 3, who has come into her own, as a member of the BRF and a figurehead unto herself. We’ve been referring to K&W as the “younger royals” for a long time. And while they are of course younger than HM and the PoW and his siblings, I think we need to start reframing our view of K&W. She’s beautiful and youthful, but she is 40, and he will be in a few months. They are going to keep stepping up in terms of visibility and responsibility so a mature look should go with that territory.
Her outfit yesterday was lovely but I question her selection of polka dots, which I normally think of as a “fun” print, even with a black background. I also think the straw hat looks a bit out of place in the setting; seems like more of an outdoor head covering, but the style is fabulous on her. I don’t think she was trying to do a throwback to Diana. At least I hope not. I don’t think Prince Phillip was a big fan of Diana’s.
I thought she looked gorgeous - love the polka dots!
DeleteI don’t like the choice of My Fair Lady hat for the day, or the polka dots. The odd grinning and laughing. She appears to have been attending a different event than the other royals.
DeleteI am sure this in no way reflects her feelings for the late Duke of Edinburgh. She looked very nice, just out of step. Perhaps green like the other most senior British ladies?
So glad the Queen was able to attend! Everyone looks terrific -- love Kate's dress. Letitia always looks amazing too, I'd love to see a full shot of her dress.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think there's a cocktail hour afterwards for the European Royals? Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall?!?
I thought Letizia was wearing Kate's usual uniform. Only she doesn't wear a hat as well as Kate, this one is too small and sits at a strange angle.
DeleteDear Anon 19:05 , Cocktails are not served after a memorial service, but if they all gathered for tea or a meal, yes , I would love to be the fly on that wall.
DeleteThere are full shot photos of the front and back of her dress on the website Queen Letizia Style.
DeleteThere are full shot photos of her dress on the website Queen Letizia Style.
DeleteThe commentator said that the Queen was going back to Windsor and that she would be meeting the European Royals there. Presumably there would be some sort of refreshments.
DeleteI'm sure Prince Phillip is missed terribly. Nice that they've been able to celebrate his life today.
ReplyDeleteA very fitting service for a remarkable life and the man who lived it. I was delighted that The Queen felt well enough to attend. She looked very well. The Duchess looked beautiful. I really liked her dress. I hope the comments will be on the fashion and The Queen and her late husband and not her second son. S. ☺
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memorial. I hope it will be available outside the UK to rewatch soon.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think Kate’s outfit was nice and appropriate. I wish she would have also dipped into the dark green segment of her wardrobe. Queen Letizia’s coat reminded me a lot of some of Kate’s options (she definitely looked the best of all, if that’s what you want to look at on this occasion).
And a note: I have never heard of another “Iron Duke” apart of Wellington or the ship named after him in 1912. This little snippet sounds more like made up reporting by some tabloid with less than stellar research, because as far as I am aware this phrase has never been used for the DoE. Those tabloids really seem to miss the mark in their reporting more and more, coming up with weak often made up ideas (like Prussian/cornflower blue being a symbolic colour in Germany. If only the Germans knew about it…).
The tabloids have never been worth bothering with. They fabricate much of what they print and deal daily in innuendo and gossip, and in deliberately fomenting conflict and scandal. Why anyone believes anything they print is a mystery. Yes, they often make entirely unsupported claims like that, and they really don't care if someone calls them out on it. They figure most of their readers don't care either (which is probably true), so they just swiftly move on to the next unfounded claim/myth/lie about royals or other public figures. I find them quite disgusting.
DeleteCornflower is indeed a symbol for very right wing politics in German speaking conuntries. Nothing made up here. I live in one of these countries.
DeleteIt is very hard these days to determine what is or isn't true with the media, which makes me do my own recon to sort out fact from fiction. Although, if you are using the Internet as your source, you have to take it all with a grain of salt and read many articles to come to some semblance of truth. Found this BBC Article from 2001 on Prince Philip, where they did call him the "Iron Duke", although can't say as I saw many other references to this moniker. I would venture, it wasn't viewed favorably and therefore didn't take hold.
Deletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1351548.stm
In any event, its true that reporting is NOT what it use to be, but was very glad to have been able to watch the memorial service for Prince Philip and see it in real time, where I can see firsthand what is happening and make my own assertions and not rely on the reporting. I was most touched at the end with the Queen when all were singing, it was a poignant moment that I will remember.
There does also seem to be something to the symbolism of cornflower in Germany: "The cornflower is also often seen as an inspiration for the German Romantic symbol of the Blue Flower. Due to its traditional association with Germany, the cornflower has been made the official symbol of the annual German-American Steuben Parade." I am by no means a 'fact checker' but as I am big on symbolism of flowers,colors, icons, etc., I find these interesting bits of trivia.
How wonderful to see so many Royals, home & International, in attendance.
ReplyDeleteDid the kung and Queen of Norway attend?
DeleteWhat a lovely and dignified service. It was a wonderful turnout for the Philip and the Queen. I really liked Catherines dress and hat.
ReplyDeleteKate: very elegant dress and the hat is something different. I kike it very much. I think Beatrice and Eugenie looked very well. The children were charming. The Queen frail but what a strong mind. Beautiful service very moving.
ReplyDeleteGreat that Queen could attend, without her it wouldn't be the same. Beautiful service, so special with the ideas that the late Duke of Edinburgh had for his funeral and also with many foreign guests in attendance.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised with Duchess's dress, but I love it! She looked very elegant, I'm glad she's still try something different.
Almost all the foreign guests were relations of either the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.
DeleteQueen Victoria has so many descendents! In recent years European royalty has given up marrying cousins or even closer relations which is a good thing. As a follower of British Royalty I was disappointed to not see one of my favourites- the Duchess of Kent. Last time she appeared in public she was looking very frail as is her husband now. I am curious about the dark haired woman who accompanied him to this event. Does anyone know who she is?
His daughter in law
DeleteThe Queen looked wonderful. I thought she looked well compared to the last few times I have seen her.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see everyone for this special event and especially the kids.
As for clothing, Kate's dress and hat were too Eliza Doolittle for me. The Queen's ensemble was my favorite with Letizia coming in 2nd for me.
Kate: very elegant dress and the hat is something different. I like it very much. I think Beatrice and Eugenie looked very well. The children were charming. The Queen frail but what a strong mind. Beautiful service very moving.
ReplyDeleteEven though today's service isn't about the fashion, I must say that Kate looked perfect! I loved the boater style hat she was wearing. She looks so good in brimmed hats that I wish she would wear them more often. Maybe in the future?! It was so nice to see George, Charlotte, and the other grandchildren able to attend. I am sure the Royals from around the world were happy to be able to pay their respects, also. It's good for people from around the world to be able to meet together to honor a well-lived life by a highly respected man. So, so wonderful to see the Queen in public again. She did look well, just thinner. I hope she continues to recuperate and get stronger!
ReplyDeleteThat's a splendid black-and-white photo of Prince Philip. Were he one of my own lost loved ones, I'd want to keep it on my desk.
ReplyDeleteOne look at the Duchess's dress and hat and I thought, "Mary Poppins!" The outfit just looks so primly nannyish and Edwardian, especially with the high neck and puffed shoulders. Actually, it's a vast improvement on the recent yellow-and-white affair and on the navy polka-dot and white-collared Alessandra Rich that the Duchess wore back in 2019. For one thing, here, the belt breaks up the long line of the waist, so that the dress is much more flattering. And the hat is charming.
Other than that, I haven't much to say, beyond the fact that it was nice to see the royals, including so many members of the extended family, out in force, to celebrate Prince Philip's life. It was clearly an effort for the Queen to attend; I'm so glad she managed it.
It was also a pleasure to see the foreign royals in attendance. I enjoy Queen Maxima's often experimental and exuberant approach to fashion (I love her cape), and Queen Letizia is always elegantly chic.
It reminded me a lot of the Polo outfit in Pretty Woman. Very vintage (which seems to be a thing with her atm), looked nice enough, but in that case one of her classic coat dresses would have tied her in more nicely with all the other royals attending.
DeleteI thought Mary Poppins as well!
DeleteI was just watching Pretty Woman (again) and it id very much like her polo outfit, polka dots and hate and all.
DeleteThat dress was sleeveless, wasn't it? And had a simple band around the hat that matched the brown and white dress? I seem to recall that the Julia Roberts character also wore gloves.
DeleteI meant "hat," not "hate"!
DeleteI like the outfit and she is beautifil but for me there is domething strange..like if I found it more appropiate gor snoother kind of occasion.
ReplyDeleteOnly a small remark on fashion: In my opinion it is unusual, to combine a navy dress with hat and shoes in black, or am I wrong?
ReplyDeleteThe dress is clearly black.
DeleteI am so glad that the Queen is well and was able to attend! So pleased the weather was good and to see many people, from international royals to public servant, officers and other relatives. This is what the DoE deserved and I am sure they celebrate well all his 'true spirit'. Despite some RF members didn't attend, I am glad there were many! So nice to see P.G. & P.C.,they are so grown up, and Mia Tindall as well, she's changed a lot!
ReplyDeleteI would have preferred a blue or green coat for Catherine, but it's OK anyway. I loved Sophie coat! I wonder if after the service there was a sort of gathering of all RF, at KP or Clarence House to honor DoE memory...
I also liked many of the outfits worn by the ladies. I do think Kate's dress was more fitting for this celebration of life than some that looked more fitting for a funeral. A very sweet service. God bless Her Majesty.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is too matrimonial as anon said in the first comment. It seems to me that that dress with that hat is too much. Either would be great separately.
ReplyDeleteIs there another definition of matrimonial that is other than something to do with marriage? You think this looks like a wedding dress or....?
DeleteI'm surprised that Kate didn't wear one of her gorgeous dark green coats. To me, the dress is matronly and at odds with the hat.
ReplyDeleteOoops--many seem to have dark green coats/dresses on, guess I was wrong that it was reserved for the Queen, and entered the comment without reviewing the outfits of the ladies--so many in dark green.
DeleteK's dress clearly is black and not navy. Just compare it to Charlotte's who is wearing navy indeed. K would never wear a navy dress and a black hat and black shoes. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile, because for sure Kate wouldn't wear black accessories with a navy dress :)!
DeleteThe visiting royals and the older generation of British royals (Princess Michael, Anne, D. of Gloucester, D. of Cornwall) gave a master class in dressing for a memorial - classy and respectful, keeping the focus on Prince Phillip. The Duchess of Cambridge could look toward Queens Mathilde, Letiza, Silvia, and Maxima, as well as Princess Beatrice of the Netherlands to learn how not make yourself the focus.
ReplyDeleteThe focus? The focus was clearly Phillip and his legacy. And TQ. You just need to check papers covers and news around the world.
DeleteI agree that this is not the place or time to make yourself the focus. Maybe it’s my bias to make excuses for Kate but I’m thinking something happened to the original outfit? The rest of the Cambs were in Navy and I thought the dress was also blue but apparently it’s black? I also heard that the Cambs were late in arriving and Louis was expected to attend. I hope it was a last minute change because I really didn’t like this look for the service of life. For Ascot or some other garden party maybe.
DeleteI don't need to make excuses as I don't think Kate should be excused. She looked wonderful, colour and print perfect for halfmourning, pearls. At the same time she looked fresh and optimistic, celebrating the enduring legacy of Prince Philip. Perfecty appropriate. No focus on her except she happened to be the best looking woman in the Abbey.
DeleteWell Said Natcha!! I even thought that her Hat & Dress reminded me of all the things Phillip loved at this time of year.... Polo, Ascot etc... In fact the wonderful photo of the DoE with his straw hat made me aware that Kate might have been giving a nod to this much loved man by her outfit!?
DeleteBecca USA
Catherine looked stunning once again, her dress & hat were lovely, what a beautiful service, lovely to see the queen there.
ReplyDeleteA real pleasure to see HM out and about.
ReplyDeleteVery nice outfit -- seems like waiting a year was good because people gave had a chance to grieve. Wonderful that the Queen could attend, but she may have to rest for awhile now. And I have learned that one should never ever judge who does or does not attend funerals.
ReplyDeleteA lovely service for the Duke. The service seemed so personal even though there were 1800 guests. I loved all of the green coats, dresses, etc. And little Charlotte has grown so tall!
ReplyDeleteThis Allesandra Rich dress, and the yellow one worn a few days ago, are really reminding me of Princess Diana.
ReplyDeleteI’m not a fan of memorial services. They feel a little like reopening the wound but I understand not everyone feels this way. I hope it helps the Queen heal and it’s a good way for other royals to pay their respects.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why green? Was it Prince Phillip’s favorite color or is it simply a more sombre color? I thought the traditional mourning colors are black followed by half-mourning purple and grey. I expected navy with a mix of purple and greys so I’m surprised by green. Although I’m not complaining, green is one of my favorite colors.
As to the fashion, this is something that is very difficult to dress for. I agree that Kate looked a little underdressed. Most ladies were wearing a coat or coat dress so I’m surprised Kate chose to forgo one considering they used to be a staple in her wardrobe. Her grey lace Erdem coat would’ve been my top choice for a rewear.
Apparently the green outfits are connected with the Duke of Edinburgh's official livery.
DeleteYes, the green is a nod to his official livery which is named Edinburgh Green. It apparently was his favorite color. I think it was a lovely remembrance.
DeleteThank you! That makes sense :)
Deletea very touching moment to the queen nff hand hr fam
ReplyDeletethe cambsidge kids are all grown up
the duke and duchess locks good i here alexandera rich its remind order garter princess anne sophie Essex the queen are all green outfit
mia tidals savannah isla philips are growing up past im inlove with the queen she arrange the thanksgiving
I was so relieved that Her Majesty was able to attend after all. I thought Duchess Kate looked lovely and appropriate, and it was nice to see the children. Fashion-wise, I thought Queen Letizia knocked it out of the park. Queen Maxima looked wonderful as well, not many women can carry off gray quite so well. The Countess of Wessex also looked really beautiful in that velvet coatdress. I thought Zara looked lovely, as did Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice (and her hair was just glorious). It was wonderful to see so many turn out to honor Prince Philip, and the Queen.
ReplyDeleteI like the hat but the dress is too busy. I find that with all Alessandra Rich dresses, they have so many elements the seams! the buttons! the collar! the pleats! the sleeves! if it lost an embellishment or two it would be so much nicer, but that is just my personal opinion!
ReplyDeleteA poignant and wonderful service. Fitting tribute to Prince Philip. I didn't care at all for Kates'looks today. I've said it before,but I'm not really liking Alessandra Rich's dresses on Kate. It looks so old-fashioned, it doesn't translate as timeless. Kate looks polished and elegant as always but this is a miss for me. I would have preferred her in a coat dress (she has a lot of beautiful one and could have worn any of those).
ReplyDeleteHer tilted, wide-brim hat screams sophistication of a by-gone, snazzy era. On another note, can someone please explain the 699 bell rings? Does this happen for every royal funeral?
ReplyDeleteThey rang 699 CHANGES. Change ringing is an elaborate, mathematically-based form of bell ringing that I guarantee you've heard without knowing what it was. The UK is the home of much expert change ringing. You can find Youtube videos in which you can not only hear change ringing but see it practiced. Yes, it's done for special occasions, not only funerals but also weddings and other events.
DeleteLol so for people when Kate wears coat dresses she’s matronly but when Letizia wears, for the first time in her life, something that is clearly Late inspired she looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Queen Letizia needs Kate Cambridge to inspire her. She is significantly older than the Duchess is, worked in a television career that required her to dress well before her marriage, and has been married longer. She has her own, well-established tastes and style. She's worn both coatdresses and dressy coats before. Hats are seemingly not common wear even for royals in Spain, but she has worn them before and naturally would have worn one for a memorial service in the UK. She did look quite elegant.
DeleteI know right? It's ironic because Letizia's look is practically a knock off of one Kate wore at St. Patrick's Day, and of all the times when you would expect Kate to wear a coat dress, she surprises us with a completely different look, a bit of a 'turnaround Tuesday'for these two. Both ladies look beautiful, but am liking Kate's confidence to step outside of her tried and true looks.
DeleteYes, I had to laugh when I saw Letizia disguised as Kate! Kate has been wearing that green coat dress for a decade.And compared with her youthful polca dot and beautiful hat, the bunch of green coat dresses seemed a bit dowdy, I am glad she chose something different.
DeleteI must say, Kate knows how to wear a hat.
How ironic - I was thinking the exact same thing - there’d be a plethora of “matronly” posts if Kate wore the green coat - but on Leitzia it’s so chic. Kate looks stunning as usual. A very touching memorial & so nice to see so many European royals attend, plus PP’s charities.
DeleteVittoria, yes Letizia looked elegant, but her hat didn't work, it was at a strange angle and I thought too small. She has indeed a style of her own but it is definitely not a British style and here she copied Kate's.
DeleteLetizia wearing coat dresses? I am from Spain and I can assure she doesn’t. She may have worn 5 during the 17 years she’s been married to Felipe. So no, it’s not a staple on her wardrobe.
DeleteI agree with you Natacha, Letizia looked very elegant, as she always does, but the hat was not flattering, albeit a beautiful hat, the angle and the hair didn't quite work. I follow Letizia on instagram and she has many, many stylish clothes, but I haven't seen many coat dresses. Just a different look for her this time. Each lady has their own strengths, Letizia has a strong shoe game, while Kate can rock a hat!
DeleteWhat a wonderful service for Prince Phillip. So happy to see the Queen there. Kate looked lovely! Love the dress and the hat.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the Queen was there. I think it worked out well to have a very small and family-only funeral and then a bigger memorial service later. I think Kate looked great and it's the first time I've liked one of the dresses in that style (I think the belt and the hat made the look for me) but I don't think it was the best choice for this event (most of the others were wearing coats, for example). I just think she stands out a bit whereas she's very good at blending in normally. I'm glad the children were there.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, I love the outfit but it is a statement, bold outfit and this was not a statement event but the focus on the queen and Prince Phillip.
DeleteAfter this memorial, maybe many of these royal heads will return home to consider how best to help their people weather the coming global crisis.
ReplyDeleteHard times are coming. Things will be worse for many people than ever before. It might not be apparent yet, but the signs of deepening economic crises are looming everywhere. For poorer people in rich nations, it’ll be how strong and resilient the safety nets are. For more stingy rich countries, hard times are here already.
Years from now, little will be remembered about who wore what and who was there or not. History will note who stepped up to help, to sacrifice. I fear many iconic institutions are losing relevancy the longer this weird bifurcation of worlds continues. I find myself uneasy and unable to look away anymore from headline news. My pocketbook is reminding me how I must economize. My conscience is yelling at me to acknowledge how lucky I am to be free and safe while horrific things are happening to women and their children not so far away. It’s not just the war in Europe, but the many wars and long bread lines in so many places all occurring right now. The degree of human misery varies, but the anxiety is palpable even in the safest of places. My children have noticed it at school and among their friend groups. It’s like we adults are trying to create a protected, calmer world within a chaotic and dangerous world, much like the royals in their gilded safe world while the rest of the world rages on. For those of us whose world is not as well insulated from bad things, we are failing to keep our world safe and ok.
Crikey, what a doom and gloom post. Fashion, like art and music, happens when people want to find ways to express themselves, despite or because of the pressures that surround them. John Steinbeck said "none of it is important or all of it is". So yes, nobody's outfit will be remembered but then again this is a blog about fashion, with amazingly informative and insightful background information (thank you Admin). But it's still a blog about fashion. So let's celebrate the small, frivolous details, they're every bit as important as the looming, serious worries. Maybe even more important in fact, because life's froth and joy keep us going and give us hope.
DeleteAnd talking of that....
Kate looks fab! I love a polka-dot and the long, elegant lines of this dress, offset by the boater, are gorgeous.
Did you see Sophie's coat? I thought she absolutely shone, it was beautiful. And her daughter, Lady Louise, looked poised and lovely.
I really enjoyed seeing all the European royalty too. Plus I have a friend who attended and he said it was incredibly moving.
We all need to care about the poor and most of these constitutional monarchs and their families involve themselves in charitable activities like the British ones. They show no more conspicuous consumption than many rich business people or other Heads of State who have more political influence than them. It is up to all of us to elect governments who will redistribute our taxes to the poorer amongst us and equalise the way we live.
DeleteLovely service and Catherine looked very sophisticated. Not matronly at all. Her dress was understated and elegant which was perfect for a Memorial Service. Again I don’t think fashion was at the forefront of Catherine’s thoughts on the day.
ReplyDeleteDd
I think this look is more cocktail hour than sombre service. I can't possibly fault her for being perfectly turned out, but I think she's laying it on a bit thick here; wide brim, full hairdo, high heels ... the lot.
ReplyDeleteThe meaning behind the green outfits is poignant.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vogue.com/article/the-poignant-symbolism-behind-the-royal-familys-all-green-outfits/amp
Everyone looked elegant! The children are adorable and all dressed accordingly for the engagement. 🖤💙💚
ReplyDeleteAnon 11.08. My first advice is to stop watching the news. Unless something huge is unfolding you don't need to keep watching a war unfold on TV. Harder times are definitely coming for a lot of people. I think it's a parent's/adults job to shield the children from the worst of what is happening in the world. This will pass. Pray for peace. S. ☺
ReplyDeleteThe Duchess looked lovely, elegant and chic.
ReplyDeleteOn an somewhat unrelated note...there has been announced today that the Wessex are visiting Gibraltar in a few days. That's a far worse blunder than the Caribbean, it amounts to a diplomatic incident with Spain. Clever to have waited after the memorial service to make it public. It they had done it 2 days earlier, the King and Queen of Spain would have had to decline the invitation in protest. And we would have missed the opportunity to see Letizia in a dress coat!
ReplyDeleteActually, the Wessexes have visited Gibralter before. They made a visit during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year in 2012. Yes, Spain was not best pleased, but the fact remains that whatever Spain thinks of it, Gibralter is a British Overseas Territory, and the UK and Spain have come to various accommodations regarding it.
DeleteThere is really no analogy between that situation and the issues facing the Commonwealth realms. The Gibralterians themselves overwhelmingly reject any Spanish claims and wish to remain with the UK.
The proper term would be Gibraltar is a disputed territory. Spain claims the UK has no legal title. The UK uses the argument of the wish of the people, like it did in the Falklands /Maluinas.A well-trodden argument, one that Putin has used in Crimea for instance. But it is opposed by arguments of legality and former treaties.
DeleteThe various accommodations of the situation were the result of a delicate balance,the EU membership was a uniting factor. The UK should be mindful of not unduly stirring susceptibilities in the wake of Brexit. Everytime they do send a member of the RF to Gibraltar, there is a strong reaction in Spain. When the itinerary of Diana's and Charles honeymoon included Gibraltar, the whole Spanish royal family cancelled their assistance at the wedding.
The analogy I see is the feeling that the UK uses this jubilee to show possession and power and that it seems the world is not ready for that kind of thing anymore.
Yes, I am fully aware of the history, being a historian. However, while Gibralter is certainly a disputed territory, officially speaking, it is a British Overseas Territory. Until and unless it ceases to be a BOT, that is the "proper term".
DeleteI am Spanish and I can assure you that Gibraltar is not a source of interest or conflict for anyone here. Nobody cares about this visit and nobody thinks it’s imperialist or wants to protest against it.
DeleteThe outfit on Kate is just OK but not my fav. I wonder why she is not dressed in green as QEII, Anne & Camilla are - almost like she didn’t get the proper memo. Good to see George & Charlotte. Hoping to see them, and Louis, more in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteRemembering the DoE is nice, the time passed since, should have healed the loss. It look's the Q E had a really hard time and so did Pss Beatrice. He was loved by so many. We the public only seen the man performing his Duty, we seen very little of the private DoE. On some occasion he must have been lots of laughs, or he shown his displeasure, with family and friends. Just like we all.
ReplyDeleteI watched most of the ceremony. It was beautiful.So wonderful to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their lovely family. Also wonderful to see so many family members in attendance.
ReplyDeleteMost of all wonderful to see HRM the Queen! I recently lost my 86 year old father and I so understand how these events are no longer easy for her. God bless her!
Kate looked lovely as always, the Cambridge's are doing a wonderful job!
Wonderful post Charlotte!
Dear Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteHave you got any information about Kate's future engagememts?
Hello Évi,
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is the Cambridges are taking an Easter break in Norfolk. I'm not anticipating engagements this week, however there's a very good chance we'll see them on Sunday for Easter service in Windsor :)