Royal Style: a day starts well if it starts with Mary of Teck.

[Maireas]

The next thread, royal style mavens! The title suggestion was from our last thread. Mary of Teck was never knowingly underdressed or less than bejewelled!

Yes, I like the way that Mme Macron dresses, but I’m afraid the hair detracts too much for me. It makes her look like her head is growing out of her shoulders. As pp have said, Joan Collins wears a wig but it looks far more natural. I think Mme Macron is let down by her hairstyle, unfortunately

My hair is still very thick in my 70s. I expect she has a professional blow dry most days which increases the volume.

I'm not fond at all of Mrs Macron but I love her style.

I believe she wears a wig, but many women do for fun or because of age. Her style is impeccable compared to her ethics.

The problem with the press is they usually get it wrong or invent what they don't know.

The Vatican gave the outfit protocol for men and women attending Pope's Francisco's funeral. Women in black and with hems below the knee. Lace veils were optional.

Men in dark suits with a black tie. William and Biden fully complied with protocol, both wore navy suits with a black tie.

Trump as usual was the stand-out in a colour closer to royal blue and a tie of the same colour. He had the time and money to change the tie to black and didn't. I won't get into why in this forum. As to people comparing his attire to Zelelenky -his country is at war, and as president he'd never use a western suit when the war rages on. But he was all in black at the funeral.

Biden wore a blue tie (sort of mid/airforce blue) - so not in full compliance.

But William followed dress code in dark suit and black tie

Not in full compliance but wore a very dark navy suit.

Trump wore neither and stood out in a first row of dignitaries, which was what he wanted.

The difference in colours is more than obvious. Also, Biden attended the funeral as a private citizen while Trump was attending as the President of the US.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/donald-trump-accused-breaking-dress-code-pope-funeral-b1224451.html

I’m just amazed so many world leaders turned up at the funeral of a man at the head of a religion and not a head of state/country.
All the media interest too.
Am I missing something ?

There are about 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, with the pope as spiritual head...that's an awful lot of potential voters for heads of state to consider!
Being seen to be there is important. And a media spectacular too.

The Pope is head of state of Vatican City.

Yes I know he was the head of state of Vatican City but that is teeny tiny @CarolinaInTheMorning

I think it's probably that he was the head of a world religion, with 1.4bn followers, @deeahgwitch .

I just checked Princess Grace's funeral...it was pretty well attended too! Including by Princess Diana.

https://www.queenletiziastyle.com/blog/queen-letizia-brings-back-evergreen-carolina-herrera-pantsuit-for-creaempresa-award-ceremony
Leti in a very smart Carolina Herrera trouser suit, a sort of forest green, I think. Block heeled loafers and a CH handbag. Gorgeous earrings

Technically, he was a Head of State. Vatican City is a State. He was also the head of a major and historically important world religion, whether you are in favour of that or not 🤷‍♀️

I have serious earring envy 😆

Isn’t the Vatican a state in its own right?

Yes, it is. The pope is its essentially absolute ruler.

And until relatively recently, popes were crowned in an elaborate and lengthy coronation as "the father of princes and the ruler of kings."

I am fully aware that the Vatican is a state but it’s teeny tiny in comparison to other states.
I was just a bit dumbstruck at the amount of media coverage the death/funeral got and so many heads of states attending as we are living in a more secular world.
I did admire Pope Francis for his efforts to change the RC church and for his own humility in a world of pomp and ceremony and smoke and mirrors and huge riches far from what its founder wished it to be.
Now back to Royal Style. 😀

More secular for some people but globally a huge number of people are still wholeheartedly Catholic believers. The Catholic Church still holds immense power in many nations. Never mind its financial power.

I don't really see any difference between the coverage of Pope Francis's funeral and the coverage of John Paul II's 20 years ago except that social media was not a thing back then! So that's why it may appear bigger this time around. But I remember just as many heads of state showing up in 2005. Charles and Camilla's wedding was delayed because of it and there was a bit of controversy as Charles accidentally shook Mugabe's hand!

Yes the death of a pope has always been a big deal.

The Spanish royals have shared some 18th birthday photos of Infanta Sofia on their Instagram. They're very relaxed and informal pictures, quite a contrast from the recent Danish and Dutch 18th photoshoots!

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/prince-william-and-kate-middleton-scotland
The Wales' are in Tobermory, both looking very happy and relaxed. I like Kate's jacket and shirt, but I'm not keen on the skinnies. Very serviceable boots! Were they going for a hike?. Anyway, she looks really well. Possibly tempted to sing the Balamory song.....

Yes, some of the royals have been pushing the boat out, birthday wise! I think it's the influence of Mary 😊