Royal style & gossip: a visit from He Who Must Not Be Named

[QueenOfTheAndals]

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Hmm. That's not like him, he usually takes a lot of care over his clothes. Maybe it's the photo angle or maybe he's exhausted after being on Trump-duty

Kate’s bracelet at the state banquet was one of Diana's, first time Kate has worn it apparently.

I love pearls, they remind me so much of my mum and she did indeed have a similar bracelet (though only 3 strands).

I love that sleeve length @Kedgeree!! Bracelet length - so flattering for the chubby of arm!!

Well yes, but look at the other 'world leaders' they're all in standard business attire while TM looks like she's going to a wedding. Nice outfit, wrong occasion. HM looks fab as always and Melania looks good too.

@hopeishere sadly TM is skinny and long of arm so, IMO, should be in a full length sleeve otherwise it just looks like she's outgrown her blazer .

I disagree. Most of the other world leaders are men. What is she supposed to do, wear a dark blue suit and tie? Women in leadership positions should be able to make their own rules about what to wear. I say this as a veteran of a time when women began to enter the professions in the US in larger numbers and there seemed to be an expectation that we dress as prison matrons from a 1940s movie, lest someone notice that we were indeed women.

I realise my comment sounded a bit chippy @SenecaFalls and I'm sorry! I'm not at all anti American (maybe I've been lucky but all the ones I meet are tourists and I've found them to be exceedingly polite). I was having a pop at the politicians really, and maybe the odd film-maker. I think we/they have lost sight of what the special relationship actually is, and if they're going to trot it out maybe it's time to remember.

Couldn't help it, love this pic. Young man!!

Angela Merkel is wearing pretty much a fark blue suit, in her favoured cut. Now there's a woman who has her uniform figured out!

I do feel a bit sorry for TM in the very limited sense of her clothing choices - men have a nice easy uniform in most instances (suit, black tie, white tie, service uniform) whereas she and other leading women have to try and negotiate their way through without that simple choice. Angela Merkel has obvioudly got her way which works for her (the same thing in all the colours) but if you like clothes it must be a bind, striking the right tone. I do think she went a bit too summer fete here, but perhaps she's demob happy and just doesn't care any more 🤷‍♀️

I think we/they have lost sight of what the special relationship actually is, and if they're going to trot it out maybe it's time to remember.

I do agree with this to an extent; I also think that some Americans need to be reminded from time to time that the UK is part of Europe.

Love that picture of Theresa May. And M. le President does have an appreciation for women of a certain age.

And if I hear "Special Relationship" one more time I shall scream. Yes, they helped us out in the war, probably saved us from losing it, but don't they go on about it:

I always assumed the 'special relationship was more like the' special relationship' my 8 year old has with his big brothers' friends-ie he's desperate to have a 'special relationship' with the big boys, and they let him hang around with them because he's quite cute and will do whatever they want him to

Speaking up for TM here, I rather like her style, the wacky oversized jewellery, the cigarette trousers. I think she has unfortunate posture and her choice of jacket often accentuates this. I don't understand why she doesn't do what a man in her position would do and get herself off to Savile Row for a proper bespoke suit which could be the basis of her work wear. Then they could use that pattern to produce garments that fit her properly, embellished and customised for variety.

I'm a genius.

That's probably what it's become, @noodlenosefraggle

That picture of TM is funny. She was always quite an enthusiastic participant in the old Continental double kiss She's definitely demob happy!

I say this as a veteran of a time when women began to enter the professions in the US in larger numbers and there seemed to be an expectation that we dress as prison matrons from a 1940s movie, lest someone notice that we were indeed women

I'm only in my 40s but I think this is so true. It's only in the last 5-7 years that I've felt comfortable not wearing a suit day in and day out. For years in the City, that was my uniform - trouser or skirt suit with blouse/shirt/silky t-shirt underneath. Even when I worked in a more casual environment before that, I would have felt obliged to wear a jacket at all times.

I've just bought a dress (from Sainsburys of all places) with a collar and I am looking forward to wearing it next time I go into the City on a nice day. No jacket required. I do still tend to wear jackets with dresses but that's more because I am [coughs politely] large of bust and feel more comfortable usually. And I get cold easily. If I'm wearing a skirt/trousers with a nice top, I don't necessarily bother with a jacket at all.

Laughed out loud at Angela Merkel's "fark blue" suit @Spudlet!

[shakes fist at autocorrect and own poor typing skills]

I worked in banking in the 90s and women didn’t even wear trousers; just skirt suits. I went on a business trip to Madrid and came back with 3 Zara trouser suits ( they weren’t in the UK then).
The women in the office went mad for them and within weeks everyone was wearing them.

There’s a Pantone version of Angela Merkels jacket and black slacks

Angela Merkel; on and off duty

There is, it's like a 50 Shades of Angela!

I'm generally not a fan of Charles but I think he has done a good job of diplomatically taking some of the burden off the Queen for hosting the Trumps, and letting his kids off the hook.
Yes they are in diplomatic roles and will have to do this stuff in the future but to have to make small talk with a man that has been pretty distasteful about their mum and wives - I am glad they haven't been put in that position.
The queen has been a star and I'm glad Charles had the balls to talk to him about the climate. I think they have done a good job...

That's it now with the Trump visits, is it not? He doesn't have to come over again unless God forbid he wins a second term.

Yes the visit is done I hope he won't have another state visit. I imagine at some point the RF are going to be invited there to return the favour so to speak.....I'm sure there will be loads of volunteers

I'm sure Andrew would oblige, he's probably the royal child who'd get on best with Trump. Was Edward at the state banquet on Monday? I saw photos of Sophie but not him.

You only get one state visit. Any other visits would be working visits like the last one.