Royal Style: Diamonds are a Queen's best friend..

[Maireas]

Evening all! Thanks to Tracy Beaker for the new title!
Roll on some bling and style, though it may be a while!

@Pallisers it's Prince Gustav (Princess Benedikte's son) and his wife, princess Carina.

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/gallery/princess-charlene-red-cross-ball-dresses-photos-1236496890/
Here are Charlene's Red Cross Ball outfits over the years. I do like this year's, but the bright green one is stunning.

I love 2006 and 2007 - but most are lovely.

Yes, apart from the green one, I like the mermaid one, and the strapless metallic jumpsuit (centre of the picture above).

It's lovely to see Gustav and Carina as parents. They are both 55 and the children were born by surrogate. They have been together for decades but did not marry due to his grandfather's will. Carina is half Mexican, half Swedish and not noble. From Wikipedia:

For many years, he resided with his partner, Carina Axelsson, although they were unable to marry due to a clause in Gustav's grandfather's will preventing him from inheriting family property if he marries someone not of Protestant, noble and Aryan descent. However, on 27 April 2022, the Danish court confirmed that Gustav would marry Axelsson on 3 June 2022, civilly and on 4 June 2022, religiously in Bad Berleburg.[4]
The couple's son, Prince Gustav Albrecht, was born on 26 May 2023 in the United States via surrogacy.[5] On 26 April 2024, the couple welcomed their second child, a girl, Princess Mafalda, also via surrogacy.

That's really interesting, thanks Choux.

i’ve said this in real life before but when the Belgian royals married, there were cameras in the reception and I watched it and when Prince Charles came in, he was SWAMPED with guests. He was like the Elvis of royals, it was so surprising. The British press were all “so Diana was great and Charles is the dowdy partner” and obviously she was dead and an ex by then - but people whooshed over to him like he was a magnet. He made them roar with laughter (no Camilla) and they were like groupies. He was really extraordinarily popular and star of the show - he was this poor man being mobbed and beaming and touching people’s shoulders with affection and being Such A Good Royal and I was so amazed because UK press did not have his image like that. He was Tier One charming and a real feather in Philippe’s hat for showing up and held in huge affection.

Goodness! I haven't heard that story, @DuchessOfPort ! I have heard that he's very charming and witty, and I think one he's of those people who focus on who he's listening to.

I was so astonished and quite proud! The Belgians I was staying with were not THAT interested in the wedding but I was so astonished that Charles was so drooled over and the wife said vaguely oh yes, he’s very popular isn’t he?

no! Not then and not in the uk he wasn’t! The people there, the other guests, thought he was the absolute bees knees.

I've always thought Charles was/is intelligent, engaging and charming. I read a biography of him years ago and he came across very well in it, quite a thoughtful man.

It's Count Felix's birthday today, turning 22. The family is holidaying at Château de Cayx.

P.S. With Daisy's abdication it became clear why she had decided the change in their (former) titles had to be enacted much more urgently. I remember wondering at the time and hoping she wasn't gravely ill.

Nice holiday picture! That chateau looks beautiful, I think they have their own vineyards as well.

Yes, I think you can just spy some vines in the background.

Big view for a little dog.

🐕 😊

It was so nice when Gustav and Carina finally got to marry! She had been welcomed into the family for many years by that time and privately was treated as his wife in every way but legally.

Throwback to the wedding.

Fred and Mary were witnesses at the civil ceremony.

The wedding party look lovely, beautiful bride. I'm not keen on Erdem usually, but Mary looks good. Marie in the pink!

Elisabeth of Belgium looks amazing in that pink dress. It’s a Saffiya, and the shorter version of a red and blue one that Meghan once wore.

But Elisabeth was back in uniform by the next day, and then Delphine showed up! Scroll down for her entirely bonkers ensemble. https://www.newmyroyals.com/2024/07/belgiums-royal-family-attended-national.html

Well. That's an interesting trouser suit! Do we think it was originally two different ones?!

My eyes!! 😦😮

Never fear, Daisy - there's someone ready to take your mantle as eccentric dresser with a penchant for bright colours!

😂

@Maireas is Gråsten Palace already in my property portfolio? Otherwise I'd very much like it, please! TIA.

It's yours! We look forward to visiting 😊

Definitely! 🙂🙂

Later I'll post a link to a programme about Prince Henrik's close involvement with the kitchen at Gråsten. It's a great peek into the grounds, the kitchen garden and the house, as well as the food they served to friends and family. Also some lovely snippets of Henrik's relationship with his grandchildren.

Thanks, @AllTangledUpInTitlesAndTiaras . I'll look forward to that 😊

Good lord, that suit!
Nope, think it’s fair to say I don’t “Love” it. Quite the opposite.