Dear readers, for the final Coronation (late-night post) we're taking a look at the sartorial choices of female members of the Royal family not yet covered, relatives, overseas royals and first ladies. But first, I want to update you all on a couple of points regarding the Princess of Wales' look. Jess Collett, the milliner who created Kate's and Charlotte's headpieces with the team at Alexander McQueen, started her business with a grant from The Prince's Trust. It adds another layer of significance to Kate's choice today and displays the level of consideration which went into that choice. It's been an incredibly busy day and one misses these small (but very important) details, so thank you to the reader who shared this.
The charity has cemented Charles' legacy and has transformed the lives and futures of 1,000,000 young people across the United Kingdom. Charles founded the trust with his navy severance (£7,400) and it grew year on year from there.
Another important detail regarding Kate's look... The Palace confirmed the Princess planned to wear the Queen's Diamond Necklace. As correctly noted by several readers, the substantial three-strand diamond necklace packs quite the punch and if Kate was wearing it, it would have been at least partially visible.
It opens up a bit of a mystery. We do know the Waleses were about ten minutes late today. The actual plan was for William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis to be in their seats at Westminster Abbey before the King and Queen arrived. Instead, they arrived after Their Majesties and subsequently walked behind them in the procession. One wonders if there may have been an issue with the necklace at the very last minute which delayed the family. Below, from the official programme. We'll know with certainty, I believe, when the official portraits are released tomorrow.
Now let's get through a serious run down of royal fashion beginning with the Duchess of Edinburgh and Lady Louise, both of whom looked regal in Suzannah styles. Sophie wore her Royal Victorian Order robes with a Jane Taylor floral headpiece.
The British designer shared a photo of Sophie's bespoke white gown with meadow flower embroidery and revealed she was inspired by "the regalia of the previous coronation in 1953". Working with Jenny King embroidery, they crafted a gown befitting the gravity of the occasion.
Lady Louise wore one of my favourite looks today -- the Suzannah Kumiko dress (created in collaboration with the artwork of French photographer and artist, Rachel Levy). Teamed with a matching Jane Taylor hat, it was a gorgeous and age appropriate look.
Zara Tindall was stylish in a custom blue and white belted Laura Green dress with a Juliette Botterill hat.
And a beautiful brooch gifted to her mother Princess Anne, by then Prince Charles, on her wedding day.
Zara's accessories came from brands favoured by the Princess of Wales -- the Strathberry East/West baguette bag and LK Bennett Fern pumps in pale blue. She also wore the £30,000 Calleija white gold drop earrings.
Princess Beatrice was pretty in the hot pink Beulah London Sienna dress and a headband by Emily London.
Beatrice's £30K earrings are the Garrard Blaze Pink Sapphires. Look at that sparkle factor...
Princess Eugenie, who is expecting her second child, chose a lovely navy cashmere coat and silk dress by Fendi.
Like her sister, Eugenie wore showstopping jewels by Garrard (worth over £150K). There's a special royal connection to the pieces. More from the product description for the Albemarle suite: "Inspired by the pattern of diamonds that encircles the base of the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara – the same tiara worn by HM Queen Elizabeth on the front of every British banknote – our designers continue to explore the Garrard Windsor motif in exciting new ways."
Eugenie also carried a Fendi Peekaboo I See U navy bag.
Lady Gabriella Kingston wore the gorgeous pink Catherine Walker Britta coat with a diamond shamrock brooch. She teamed the look with blush accessories. Gabriella was accompanied by her brother, Lord Frederick Windsor (due to tight numbers, spouses were not invited).
Princess Margaret's daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, was elegant in cream. I thought it lovely to see Sarah wearing Greville pearl earrings and a pearl necklace from Margaret's collection. A fitting tribute to her mother who played an important role during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Sometimes Princess Charlotte reminds me so much of a young Sarah, both with resemblances to the late Queen.
A very chic Lady Helen Taylor in Dior.
Queen Camilla's daughter Laura Lopes in an emerald green billowy dress.
Carole Middleton selected the cobalt blue Catherine Walker Katrine coatdress with matching headband and sapphire and diamond jewels. This is so very much a Kate look :)
Pippa Matthews chose a gorgeous bespoke Claire Mischevani coat with a Jane Taylor hat and biscuit Emmy London shoes and clutch. The pale yellow worked beautifully.
Now for a lady most of you may not be familiar with who almost stole the show -- sartorially speaking.
More from the Evening Standard:
'Thanks to her role at the top of the Privy Council, Mordaunt played a central role in the Coronation of King Charles III, which began as she walked the 17th-century Sword of State down Westminster Abbey’s aisle at the opening of the ceremony. It marks the first time a woman has held the sword, which is also used for the State Opening of Parliament.
The towering, silver-gilt sword boasts the moulds of a lion and unicorn and features a crimson red velvet covering. During the service, it was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury before Mordaunt presented it to the King. Afterward, the sword was placed on the altar before being redeemed by the MP, who drew it before continuing to hold it for the duration.'
Penny told Politico she “felt it wasn’t right” to wear the customary black-and-gold court dress of the privy council sported by the Marquess of Salisbury when he did the job for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and wanted "to come up with something that is modern and will give a firm nod to the heritage of the occasion. Mordaunt commissioned a dress stitched with the fern motif of the privy council which has been adapted and 'feminized' by specialist atelier Hand and Lock". The cape dress was created by Safiyaa.
In homage to the colours of Ukraine, First Lady Dr Jill Biden and her granddaughter Finnegan Biden coordinated in Ralph Lauren and Markarian. Afterwards Jill tweeted: "We stand with Ukraine."
'Biden’s fashion choice certainly suggests as much: by wearing an American designer, she sends a subtle visual message that she’s supporting the country in such a high-profile moment. The color blue also seems to be an intentional choice, as it is prominent in both the flags of the United States and the United Kingdom—a reflection of the “special relationship” between the countries, perhaps, and a show of unity.'
Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska looked fabulous in sage green. She sat next to First Lady Dr Jill Biden.
Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani chose a rich magenta cape dress.
France's First Lady Brigitte Macron opted for Parisian chic in Louis Vuitton.
Below, Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba and wife Sylvia Bongo Ondimba. Sylvia chose a beautifully embroidered tailored suit. It looks very Chanel.
The UK's First Lady Akshata Murthy chose a very pretty blue Claire Mischevani dress and black fascinator. The silhouette of the dress is divine.
Lady Patricia Allen of Jamaica was chic in mint.
Like Kate and Charlotte, former First Lady Samantha Cameron chose millinery by Jess Collett with the red patterned Voletta dress by her own brand, Cefinn.
Canada's Sophie Trudeau was brilliant in blush -- a hat from The Saucy Milliner in Ottawa and the Ted Baker Lharra dress.
Queen Letizia of Spain was chic in a tailored pink suit by Caroline Herrera with a matching hat by milliner Balel.
Also in pink; Queen Mathilde of Belgium in a cape dress and Philip Treacy hat.
The 'pink queens' inside Westminster Abbey.
Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Crown Prince Fumihito of Japan and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan arrive. Both ladies chose shades of pale pink.
Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho looked stunning in a floor length blue patterned gown, matching hat and statement jewels.
Queen Suthida of Thailand was striking in navy and yellow.
Princess Charlene of Monaco wore a caped nude suit with button detailing. Behind Charlene, we see Luxembourg's Grand Duchess Maria Tereasa in navy.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands normally goes all out in terms of glitz and glam (usually with fabulous results). Today, she went for an understated, sleek Jan Taminiau design. I love the gloves.
Crown Princess Mary was regal in a bespoke Soren Le Schmidt coatdress styled with Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps and turquoise jewels which are understood to have been a gift from her mother-in-law, Queen Margrethe. I adore this look and could see Kate opting for something very much in the same line.
Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan looked lovely in lilac.
Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco was elegant in pink and white.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in cobalt blue.
Another one of my favourite's -- the beautiful Queen Rania of Jordan in a pastel yellow Tamara Ralph dress and Jimmy Choo pumps.
For the Greek royals, Town & Country reports: "Queen Anne-Marie opted for a navy button down dress with a matching fascinator, clutch, and white gloves. She completed her look with a swan-like jeweled brooch. Her daughter-in-law, Princess Marie-Chantal, wore a custom, asymmetrical baby blue dress with a darling bow detail from London-based designer Mary Katrantzou."
Katy Perry, who is performing at the Coronation concert tomorrow, posed for selfies in pink Vivienne Westwood.
Dame Emma Thompson in red floral.
Tomorrow we'll see Coronation Big Lunches taking place and the Coronation Concert at Windsor. I expect to see William and Kate for both. We can also expect the release of the official Coronation portraits.
Thank you for following along today. Now time for some sleep before tomorrow's events :)
Catherine’s headdress is similar to the Queen’s Coronation ladies in waiting as Australian news channels reported.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these amazing blog posts today! You have worked SO hard and I’ve loved reading every word. I couldn’t wait to read about the fashion choices of all the foreign dignitaries and this did not disappoint. Thank you thank you thank you! Now, wishing you a night of extra restful sleep after all your hard work!
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you so much!
DeleteWow, what a wonderful round up, thank you for your hard work!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see more details of the PoW's gown but Sophie's gown...truly spectacular. That craftsmanship!
There isn't a bad outfit here, everyone looks so elegant and understated. My thoughts include:
- Penny Mordaunt... I didn't know why she wasn't in an official outfit but from what you write, it appears it was personal choice. Now, whilst I thought her outfit was beautiful, elegant and appropriate, I felt that as the only person in "civvies" in such a prominent role, she was out of place. Don't get me wrong, I thought she did a sterling job, I mean at one point she was simultaneously holding the sword, walking, leading a line of people that included the newly crowned king, and all while singing God Save the King at the top of her voice! However wonderful her attire, though, I felt her appearance was diminished amid the heraldry and gravitas of the clothing around her and its deep connections with the past and with the literal fabric of history. Whilst the choice of dress and hat was spot on in, the choice not to wear the official outfit of her role was misguided.
- Sarah Chatto... She was born in the same year as me and I always love seeing her sartorial choices and wondering how they'd suit me! She always looks exactly like herself, if you know what I mean. This is a beautiful outfit and I love the jewellery.
- Jill Biden.... So elegant but not with the gloves in the same colour. Just looks wrong and weird. Her granddaughter looks like a sweetheart.
- Helen Taylor... Oh yes! This outfit is so elegant - chic, as you say, that's the right word.
- Laura Lopes.... Disappointing. I'm not sure what I'd wear if my mum was being crowned Queen but it definitely wouldn't be this. Hopefully it looked better in real life.
- the "pink queens" - all utterly lovely. Loving Letizia's hat.
- Princess Anne - how amazing did she look striding into the Abbey in her bottle green velvet mantle and plumed high hat?! And then whipping it off so she could ride in the pouring rain on horseback alongside her brother's carriage? Kudos to her!
The King's carriage arrived earlier than expected according to the official schedule. It didn't make sense that the Wales walked behind them if it was only because of the timing because the king and queen waited inside the carriage until the time they were planned to go inside the abbey and the Wales were already there by then.
ReplyDeleteI also think they were meant to be in the procession because both Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were part of the rehearsals, so my thoughts were plans changed after the program was published.
DeleteBunny B - it does makes sense for the Wales to be part of the procession, but not at the back - the Monarch is the last to enter the Abbey. So I do think there was a mess up there.
DeleteThank you Charlotte what a sterling post as were the other coronation posts. The landscape of this coronation if very different from that seventy years ago and for me the coronation was reflective of that. We are now a world of multi faiths and ethinicities. Tiaras would have been inappropriate. Years ago I attended a lecture by the man who made the jewels for the Downton Abbey series. He explained that a wife or daughter's jewellery was a symbol of the power of a husband or father. The last coronation was in the dying days of aristocracy power and as such there were tiaras. Today's audience in the Abbey was so very different and to my mind the dress code appropriate. It would have been so wrong to make some of the guests feel they were second rate because they were just ordinary people. This coronation celebrated service and achievement across many many areas and for me this was absolutely the right thing today for Charles is very much a King for our times. He is a man of great strengths, with a clear vision of our times but like all of us has frailties, which he been critiqued at times harshly over many decades.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be great if we could start this new Carolean age with a clean page and accept that decisions of the past are past and we all move on in the new landscape. No one in the fifties would have come close to predicting today and more than likely most of the predictions floating around for the next two decades never mind the next seven will come close either.
Let's enjoy the moment and each of us in our own small way try to leave the world a slightly better place.
Beautiful comment, Libby! I agree with everything you wrote
DeleteI agree with the sentiment very much (even though there were always different faiths and ethnicities around. Just not valued from a western centric pov). And I do agree the new Carolean age should celebrate and support this new times. But the act of the coronation itself is about the past so much more than the present (nowadays). If you cut away from it, it really looks rushed and silly.
DeleteThanks Charlotte for sharing the photos of the other royals. I wish the women were allowed to wear Tiaras. Princess Mary of Denmark looks gorgeous and classy as always. Lady Louise Winsor looks lovely as you say. I like Princess Sophie's dress and Kate looked incredible with that headpiece. Zara looks quite nice as always. I am looking forward to the portraits coming out if what you say is true that Harry left the UK so fast he probably wont be in the official portraits and that is such a sad shame. Looking forward to the concert tomorrow. Thank you for the lovely coverage Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteDanish CP Mary wins 'best dressed' guest for me. She looks stunning. Belgian Q Matilde had bra issues going on.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100%
DeleteDear Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your excellent work. It was a wonderful coverage, I enjoyed every word. You are such a lovely, kind and smart writer.
Eve from Hungary
I associate myself with these words. Charlotte, your work is outstanding. And in record time. I hope you were able to enjoy these festivities despite this titanic work. Thank you for everything. You are essential and a wealth of information.
DeleteFantastic coverage Charlotte! So many beautiful looks yesterday. I also thought that Carole Middleton’s look was identical to something Kate would wear.
ReplyDeleteOne gentle correction from a Canadian - the wife of a Prime Minister is not referred to as First Lady; indeed she does not have a special title.
What a tremendous amount of work for awesome Coronation coverage. Such a unique day of which to be witness. Historically significant. Such lovely outfits and refined presentations of significant jewellry. Thanks so much for all the background notes, just so elegantly written. Enjoyed it all. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your excellent, thorough post! What a day! So many interesting and lovely outfits. Sue from IL
ReplyDeleteMy favorite look goes for Princess Beatrice ! This pink is my favorite color and the fluidity of the dress is very spring-like. The puffy sleeves and the wide waistband make this outfit a very charming choice. And what about those earrings ! Simply fabulous.
ReplyDeleteYour coverage, Charlotte, is amazing, as always. Your is the only source I use. Thank you for your work. I continue to have philosophical difficulty with the whole idea (wouldn't it have been lovely to have given the cost of it all to food banks instead?), acknowledging that things are not better in the US.
ReplyDeleteBut positive thoughts -- I was charmed by the idea of the silver headpieces! I wish they would provide a very close-up image. I thought it looked wonderful on Kate. And being late may have involved getting little Louis ready in time but not too early! :)
I saw and read that Eugenie wore a major diamond necklace. That is not her usual style (she and her sister did look SOOO pretty) so I am fantasizing that it was left to her by the queen. I hope so.
I'm sure everyone involved is so relieved that it went as planned.
Thank you Charlotte for your excellent coverage!! Have been refreshing the blog all day. Do get some sleep :) My favorites were Sophie and Louise I think—Lady Louise looked so classy. I also love CP Mary’s
ReplyDeleteI agree, Lady Louise was one of the best dressed. Absolutely stunning. I have never seen her look so well. No more handovers from her mother hopefully ( that jubilee hat!). She looks perfect and very pretty. Other favourites, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Mary of Denmark. Both very Kate.
ReplyDeleteI fell stupid with my comment about Eugenie's necklace -- for some reason, I had not seen your coverage of the jewels on Beatrice and Eugenie. They are gorgeous!! Wow.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Charlotte! It's so lovely to have this wonderful commentary and photos. I'm dazzled by all the beautiful looks.
ReplyDeleteI thought it strange that Jill Biden and her great daughter chose to make a political statement about Ukraine. Not the time and place to make it IMO, they have visibility enough in their own right and don't need to hijack an event where they are guests. Not that the cause isn't an important one, of course
ReplyDeleteSo agree.
DeleteAlso thought it was a bit odd…they were already seated next to her and had that picture taken yesterday…it seemed a lot given that this was a very British event? But they both looked lovely, especially the granddaughter. What a special opportunity for her.
DeleteAgree as well. Was wondering if the two outfits were an 'accident' and then Dr. Biden made a comment when she realized they matched the Ukraine flag. I would like to believe it wasn't intentional because at such an important event why would a political statement be made?
DeleteCatherine has really grown into her role. I’m glad her family is included. It must be a bit surreal watching your daughter and her children at such and event! I’m curious where the Middleton’s were seated.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos! I especially loved seeing many in their traditional wear (Japan and so on) and look equally elegant. My favorite look today was Sarah Chatto who is always so chic. I noticed some of the men (mostly English) wore morning suits while others wore a more standard business suit (King of Jordan). Are morning suits only for the English? I also loved the naval uniforms from Norway et al. I must disagree with the comment on Penny Mordaunt’s outfit choice, I think it made her look more regal and visible than a black robe would have and it elevated the importance of the role she played. One more question, you mentioned spouses weren’t invited in some cases. Did Kate’s brother attend? Pippa”s husband?
ReplyDeleteLastly, Prince George absolutely reminds me of Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother. Princess Charlotte was adorable and played her part very well, her headpiece is beautiful. Prince Louis’s outfit was also very smart and reminded me of the outfits worn by the page boys at MM’s wedding. Does anyone know if it was the same? I seem to recall the boys wore a version of H’s military uniform then.
Hello, James Middleton was indeed there with Pippa. No spouses for either.
DeleteI just want to quickly say a big thank you for the kind words of encouragement :)
Generally great outfits with two exceptions: Mordaunt was something too masculine for me and, I'm sorry to say, it's another very bad creation for Charlene of Monaco. This dress makes her head too small comparing to her shoulders. They are rather broad which is nothing strange for a professional swimmer but what is the reason to underline the fact, especially with little hat and these hair?!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could convey to you the depths of my appreciation for all of your work. This was such a wonderfully fun post to read through. I am recovering from surgery so watching the coronation and then later being able to read through your posts is a wonderful distraction.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adored Penny Mordaunt's dress. I thing it's gorgeous and so appropriate for the occasion. She carried out her duties flawlessly.
Thank you, again, Charlotte. All of the praise you are receiving is so deserving!
Jennifer
Alexandria, VA
USA
I feel exactly the same. I so look forward to reading your posts Charlotte -- such great work, on a very tight deadline!! And I second your comment, Jennifer, about Penny Mordaunt. So unexpected and so regal. One question I do have is about her designing it herself, or with the designer, based on the uniform that would theoretically have been worn by a man in the same job? Could she have designed *anything* and worn it? Amazing. My favorite was the exquisite Japanese crown princess (she was the Kate of her day in Japan, btw). I can't decide about Kate's headdress -- she looked amazing in it, but I sort of feel that if the jewels exist, and it's The Actual Coronation, why not wear them?? It's nice that the designer got her start with the Prince's Trust though.
DeleteForgot to say I also absolutely loved Mme Macron's outfit
DeleteMy vote for the best dress is Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso of Lesotho!
ReplyDeleteI thought her dress broke the sea of conformity of coat dresses, tunics, big hats. The pattern, the color, the softness and the draping of the dress material and the fit were all chef’s kiss. It suited the occasion and unintentionally stood out.
I would have never seen it if not for your inclusion Charlotte. Thank you for such an in-depth coverage.
Yes! She looked exquisite.
Delete-Victoria in Oregon
I'm really having to pick and choose what to comment on in the context of the coronation, since we're being presented with such rich material.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I thought some of the exalted guests did not appear at their best in the coronation fashion parade. Princess Charlene of Monaco made a rare mistake with the suit she chose, and though Queen Letizia of Spain is usually quite stylish, I didn't much care for the peplum suit she chose. The color was lovely, though, and her hat was terrific. Katy Perry's look was, er, a bit much, if very apropos as a tribute to the recently-deceased Dame Vivienne. Somehow, I immediately thought of cotton candy on a stick when I saw her.
Other guests looked perfectly fine and appropriately dressed but somewhat blah. Marie-Chantal of Greece is normally rather more elegant in her fashion choices. Her pale-blue dress and hat didn't grab me. I felt the same way about Crown Princess Victoria's look: royally suitable but staid.
Cape dresses have been in fashion for at least a couple of years, I note. In fact, I bought one from Halston not too long ago. I like the dresses worn by Finnegan Biden and Mathilde of Belgium and think such dresses are just the thing to wear to a royal event. Alas, I don't think I'll be receiving an invitation to one anytime soon.
I agree with many people that Lady Louise and Princess Beatrice looked terrific. I also loved Lady Gabriella Kingston's fuchsia pink Catherine Walker. As I've commented before, she is one of the chicest members of the extended royal family but one who doesn't get a lot of attention. I've dithered over Queen Rania's butter-yellow ensemble. The color is great, and I like the slim silhouette, which she wears well. The shoulder and neckline design of the dress doesn't inspire me, but somehow, I still like the general look. (It would have been improved if the Queen had worn her hair in a sleek chignon instead of down.) And kudos to the ever-eccentric Emma Thompson. I would have been disappointed if she'd turned up in anything less than original and striking. Love the red coat.
Finally, I was happy to see Princess Kiko and Queen Jetsun in national/traditional dress. For Kiko this was a choice (the imperial ladies wore western gowns at her brother-in-law's ceremonial installation as the Emperor of Japan). For Jetsun it was not, since her husband has decreed that the Bhutanese should wear national dress in most contexts. Jetsun would look knockout beautiful wearing a plastic garbage bag, but in her lilac ensemble she was exquisite.
Just a couple of observations. While I do realize that seating was limited, it's universally regarded as a great etiquette faux pas not to invite both parties in a married couple. Somehow, I think it would have been possible to accommodate such non-invitees as Lady Helen Taylor's husband and the Earl of Ulster's wife. And if Mr. and Mrs. Middleton and the two Middleton siblings could be invited, why not Lady Pamela Hicks, whose exclusion really puzzled me? She is, after all, the child of the man to whom King Charles was reportedly extremely close and whose death devastated him.
As for Jill Biden and her granddaughter deliberately wearing Ukrainian colors, I haven't yet seen it confirmed that this was their intention. Some people have claimed it but without any empirical support that I have seen, so until I receive better information on that, I am withholding judgment. I was once accused of sporting the colors of a hostile nation at an event sponsored by a British institution. It genuinely hadn't occurred to me that I was wearing the blue and white of the Argentinian flag.
Hi Vittoria- I always love your comments on fashion- even if we don't see eye to eye.
DeleteI mostly agree with your assesment. The only royal ladies that really wowed where the non Eupean ones. I personally did like Victoria, even though the dress was very much her and with no big glam factor. If you look at all together- this was defenitely a bit of a let down. I did expect more- especially of Rania, Maxima and Letizia.
The BRF is another topic. Uniformes and mantles are their own standard. Louise looked beautiful, as did Zara. But Betrice and Eugenie looked just too boring. Like really really boing. Just wearing a bold colour is not saving a dress if cut and style is just so ordinary, most hobby seamstresses could sew that in a couple of hours.
Thank you Charlotte. It was lovely, and as usual you have the absolute best! Really appreciated across the Pond. -Pandora
ReplyDeleteI feel that this day was about the coronation of the King from another nation than and think it's safe to say that everyone attending the coronation "stands with Ukraine", therefore the day should be ONLY about the coronation-especially when you are a visitor in another country.
ReplyDelete