Royal style: the Sussexes in Africa - it's gonna take a lot to drag us away from them...

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Previous thread

Tour itinerary

As always, let's critique the clothes and not the wearers.

My issue with Kate is that she's so firmly into safe mode that she isn't having the fun or eclectic dressing experience that HM, princess Margaret or princess Anne had in their youth.

Everyone talks about her dressing for posterity, but HM and co are 'of the blood' and HM was actually doing the top job while still absolutely bang on trend and looking pretty damn and good on par with A listers of the day.

If they, Eug and Bea didn't channel 60 year olds in their 30s, why does Kate need to?

I think the whole point of being “ blood Princesses” ( or queens) is that they dgaf about dressing as they think they should rather than what they fancy ( case in point; Queen Margarethe of Denmark. Sunshine yellow, plastic tablecloth raincoat anyone?).

Married in duchesses are a divorce away from commoners, so play the part. Kate included.

Dressing in more 'of the moment' or trendy clothes also risks making every outfit about The Outfit, rather than keeping the focus on The Cause. We've been praising Meghan's style on this tour because it's not detracted from the reasons for being there. Kate and Meghan are in a different time to HM and Margaret, who were expected to be a la mode. We scrutinise the duchesses far more than we should for any mistakes, as shown by the Hated Fail's coverage of costs. Eugenie and Beatrice are not important to the general picture, so it doesn't matter a jot if they spend thousands on bonkers outfits.

Harsh but true @CurlyWurlyTwirly, harsh but true!

I think "dressing for posterity" is a bit like Kate's "uniform". It's something that's come up on Mumsnet and people have convinced themselves it's true! In reality, we don't know why she dresses as she does. We have no idea whether it's easier, or if it's a style she prefers, or if she's thinking "ok, pale blue dress coat today because people will be looking at photos of me in 100 years time"!!

It's striking how much more comfortable and relaxed H&M have appeared on this tour, which I agree hits all the right spots in terms of attire, causes and coverage.

I had a tiny niggle with Meghan chatting to Harry during the High Commissioner's speech which I thought was rude, but hey, in the scheme of things she's done pretty well this tour.

I also wonder if the hand holding won't come back to bite them unless they do it for the entirety of their marriage. Imagine the first occasion when they are photographed side by side not clinging to each other.

My final thought is that they have seemed quite comfortable with Archie being photographed, even to the extent of turning towards the camera. So I wonder if the antagonism Harry has towards the British press is a factor here. Either way, it's been a delight to see him, and how much Harry enjoys having a family of his own.

Yes that sums it up.

Blood princesses ‘are’. Married in must ‘do’.

Also people are much more inclined to judge harshly and there’s much less deference now.

Also I think Royal coverage was much more strictly "curated" years ago, and the press and people more unquestioningly respectful, and as you say, deferential.

Mind you, having just finished reading a biography of Princess Margaret she had a pretty hard time of it with the media.

Hobby analysis time: I think that in the post war period, when it was clear the political landscape in Europe was changing, the royal families stagnated quite a bit. It must have been glaringly obvious that they were not necessary, so they had to find out what the point of being around actually was. The Crown explores this a bit doesn’t it?

I think the UK and the Swedish RF def were among those who froze in time and saw their role as portraying some sort of ideal family as well as upholding and cementing traditions. Fashions froze too. Diana for example who might genuinely try out modern and fashionable clothes could be roundly criticised for it.

In Sweden, once the royal children had grown up, they rebelled and are now creating some sort of new roles. I suspect being close to the Norwegians and Danes has helped. Possibly this is happening in the UK as well but paired with the old static style it creates at least the appearance of a schism.

Isn't that true of most of the comments on here though Queen? It's all speculation and theory, based on impressions and reasoning rather than any known information. Unless some of us are better connected than we're letting on, that is!

DS's match is off thank goodness sadly, so I'm about to start reading this. (Yes I know it's from the DM but to be fair, I actually buy the DM on a Saturday as they do the best TV guide and we need the newspaper to line the bunny hutch )

Queen Margarethe of Denmark. Sunshine yellow, plastic tablecloth raincoat

I love that raincoat! Could do with it today

I agree about the TV Guide, @frugalkitty. I get the Saturday Fail free with my Waitrose shopping just for the TV guide. The rest of it goes to my DM's dementia care home where the shredders can have fun with it.

Yay I have ordered the green shirt!! Thanks @queenoftheandals and others who said it was back. Now I'm officially one of those sad people that buys what royals wear. I actually had been looking for a shirt like that for a while though.

Back to the discussion though. I think Kate has just decided on a work uniform that takes all the stress out of it. I doubt she's thinking of history as they're not historical in the sense that Diana's revenge dress was, they're just plain, well cut and bright to stand out, like the queen's.

When do Harry and Meghan get back and what's next?

www.instagram.com/p/B2_EeDwl_jx/?igshid=y4q2n4hf581k

Meghan at a meeting with prominent South African women, discussing women’s rights. Looking good (although it does feel shallow to be discussing clothes when the meeting is about such weighty matters!).

I had a tiny niggle with Meghan chatting to Harry during the High Commissioner's speech which I thought was rude, but hey, in the scheme of things she's done pretty well this tour.

That makes me cringe. I hope he ignored her.

Eugenie and Beatrice are not important to the general picture...

I think as granddaughters of the present monarch they are actually important. I like them both.

CurlyWurlyTwirly

Last post: spot on.

We'll be looking for a new thread soon QueenoftheAndals. Hoping you'll do the necessary....
By the way have you any Irish connection?

None whatsoever @beanaseireann, I'm of Asian descent!

Blood princesses ‘are’. Married in must ‘do’.

I think this is very true. And Kate, for all she has been exemplary (hard to fault, at all, in fact), did face a few hurdles in the early days (doors to manual, anyone? ). She's done a fab job, really.

It will be interesting to see her "blood princess" daughter in 10-20 years.

Me too, StCharlotte! 😁 It's rained relentlessly for days here in Lancashire. We should have gone to our caravan in Anglesey this weekend but decided not to bother when we saw the weather forecast.

Thanks for the reminder of the Kate supplement, FrugalKitty. My MiL reads the DM but has no interest in royalty so I'm sure she'll let me have it. I know the blouse and skirt Kate is wearing on the front cover divided opinion at the time, but it was one of my favourite Ascot outfits this summer.

Just been looking at some of the footage of the tour. Agree they seem much more relaxed. However, I know I will be torn to shreds for this but watching Meghan she just looks like she's acting all the time. The way she moves, her expressions, the constant fiddling with the hair. It really irritates me. It's like watching a performance.

Could say that about others too! Kate opens her mouth really wide and does huge grins. If I didn't like her, I could criticise it but in truth it's just a few microseconds caught by camera.

The DM - I know- sorry- has an article on Kate and there's a photo of her, William and George accompanying Charlotte on her first day at school. I think Kate looks stunning in it. Sorry I can't do links. Someone might oblige, please.