Royal style and gossip: the frocks, the rocks, the shocks

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Here we go again!

And by popular demand, here are the previous threads:
Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5
Thread 6
Special edition: Eugenie wedding thread

Harry and Meghan have 2 days more in NZ before they head back to London and, if I was her, I'd put on pyjamas, get Netflix fired up, and not leave my bed for several days! William and Kate will be out for a sporty engagement in Essex tomorrow and I'm sure we'll start to see them more as she's now officially back from maternity leave..

No idea what the continental royals are up to but New My Royals (does that title even make sense?) is my go-to link for them!

I wasn't a fan of Meghan's white dress, but it was an improvement on the original, which looks like something Molly Ringwald might've worn in the 80s!

My grandmother was titled. It's something that is seen as a responsibility. It's hard to understand until you are raised in the environment.

A lot of people had concerns that DoC was groomed for the role rather than falling into the role. MM/DoS, I'm not a huge fan, press over here (i live in NYC area) already talking about a split between the two brothers who have been seen together so often. Basically it's a set up for PH and MM/DoS to be more celebrity and PW and DoC to be royalty.

How have a missed these threads!!!?

I'm going to have to read back all the old ones now😂 I feel like I've found my people.

I'm kind of mesmerised by Diana, she died when I was 1 so I don't remember her in real life but have recently just got really into the royal family. I've read most of the books on Diana and am embarrassingly obsessed, I just love her in general but the fashion! Not just the dressy outfits but also just the casual day to day ones.

Paul Burrell makes me want to throw up in my mouth abit though, there's something not quite right with him isn't there?

For once I have to disagree with you @Queen, I think a lot of those outfits in the article ( the Iconic was their word, not mine) are very classic Kate style.
She has moved on from the younger more drapey styles, such as her Issa engagement dress to her very recognisable formal silouhette, either sharp McQueen tailoring or fitted Emilia Wickstead in a single colour, plus Jane Taylor small hat or headpiece.
Kate totally owns her look, and it completely works for her and her position.

I do however adore every single one of the Jenny Packham evening dresses. They all show the sexy, glamorous side of Kate.
I am not so taken with the daywear. But like Diana and mainly Catherine Walker; Kate has found the designers who mould her brand.

The white dress also makes me think of this.

A lot of people had concerns that DoC was groomed for the role rather than falling into the role.

Who were these people? A lot of people were also convinced that she chose St Andrew's because William was going there, and she deliberately set out to ensnare him...

Jumping on. Going back to snobbery about the Middletons, it has always seemed to be Carole who's been in the firing line (good old misogyny there) though I think much of it puts those behind it in a far worse light. The 'doors to manual ' stuff that's been reported is basically sneering at her for having a job, as if that were shameful, when most people would think the reverse.

Agree that in Meghan's shoes I would want a run of pyjama days when I got home. I wonder what she wears as her long haul flight clothes?

I thought William going to StAndrews was a closely guarded secret until he got there?

A new thread already... seems about five minutes since the last one was started.

When this tour is over we’re all going to have withdrawal symptoms and need therapy.

The Packham evening gowns are incredible! Totally suited to Kate's willowy shape.

These threads thought..... I stayed up until 3 o'clock one night last week looking at tiaras someone had linked to on here. Then clicked another then another before I knew it I was well and truly down the rabbit hole.

@want2besupermum when you say a split between the two brothers do you mean in terms of a rift/fall out because of MM somehow? There are so many rumours regarding Meghan now, it's crazy!

Although I do remember a lot of less than flattering things being written about Kate when she was dating William - that awful Waity Katie nickname for one. Love how the press had a field day with MM & Harry for not knowing each other long, but they also had an issue with Kate and William being together for ages. Always bugged me that it was Kate seen as 'waiting' for William and not the other way around!

I always found it fascinating that DoC mother is somewhat similar in age to what Princess Diana would have been and how her mother has often worn Catherine Walker for public celebrations.

Jenny Peckham is an amazing designer. I have worn her gowns for a while and was always the only one here in NYC wearing her gowns until the DoC started wearing it. They are timeless. I have four gowns I've had since I was 17-22 and I still wear them now. They are 15 years old and haven't aged at all because the designs are so classic.

Maybe she was groomed for the role, maybe she set out to snare him, but it wouldn’t have worked if William wasn’t willing!

@peppersprayfirstapologiselater Paul Burrell is, I think, something of a fantasist but it's still very odd the way his trial collapsed when it looked like he might have to reveal
unsavoury details about the royals in court, and then the Queen suddenly remembered she'd asked him to take some of Diana's things.

@queenoftheandals I just can't see that but maybe I'm naive. Can you imagine the effort and determination that would have taken if that was her plan?! It makes me feel tired just thinking about it

Just for the record, I really don't like the white tuxedo dress...and I generally dislike hands in pockets. We're a military family and DH always has a go at anyone with hands in pockets or hats/caps on inside.

Poor DS is often told "are your hands cold?, Get them out if your pockets!" And "take that hat off when inside!"

@mmmgoats Oh I don't believe it, but people convince themselves of any old rubbish, much like the women who think Benedict Cumberbatch is being held hostage by his wife!

@Butterymuffin Yes, it's always the women who come in for criticism isn't it? Plus Carole is from a more working-class background while Michael's family were well-off.

Diana; Catherine Walker dresses

I have seen the Elvis dress in RL at the V&A. Diana was very slim in the shoulders.
I must go up to Althorp to see her wedding dress.

mmm No rift, just less publicity of the two brothers being see together. Its a shame but the reality is PW will be King one day and PH won't be. They will have very different lives because of this.

ipromise I totally agree that it's irrelevant as to if DoC was or wasn't groomed for the role. She had a very typical upbringing of an upper middle class girl. Mine was pretty much identical. I was raised to many a man who could provide, i.e. an upper middle class or upper class man. I married a man who is upper middle class, born working class.

@queenoftheandals lawwwd those women are terrifying. As are the ones who are convinced Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are secretly married with two children but hide it from the press because...erm...

@curlywurlytwirly I've always loved that outfit of Diana's - one of her most iconic for sure. The collar and the tiara and the beading...just amazing.

I also don't like how it's always Kate in the media. She was always called Catherine at school!!!

coach I'm with you on the hands in pockets. Just NO!!! Hands don't belong in pockets.

Thanks for the new thread.
to more tiaras!!

The thing with Harry and Megan is that they and their children will be more and more sidelined once the Queen dies. We can't have endless hangers on. He'll be the equivalent of Prince Andrew who is already seen as a hanger on and largely irrelevant. If Harry and Meg have any sense they will have to find themselves a role outside the RF because the RF will have to slim down to survive. That will mean cutting them loose. They are both married with families of their own. Why would they live in each others pockets?

Paul Burrel is a special breed of lunatic. Anyone else would have quietly disappeared. I assume he pops his head up when he needs money. You would think the RF would do us all a favour and pay him to keep quiet. I really don't need to know personal details.

I think Meghan is currently torn between establishing a classic style, eg Givenchy, and still experimenting with fashion because she loves it, but is toning it down.
As pp have said she has been through enormous change in just 12 months, and her style is having to adapt fast, with the inevitable mistakes.

Kate has had 7 years to hone her Royal wardrobe. It’s tailored daywear; Glamorous full length gowns or cocktail frocks for evening receptions and appropriate sporty or outdoor wear.

In her off duty life it’s Zara or skinny jeans and stripes tops.