Royal Style: Hoping for Yuletide shimmer, but not too many green coats!

[Maireas]

Evening! Just setting up the next thread in case the other one fills up!

Yes, I would think so, @gingercat02

As a Catholic I object to women being dictated to in such a way about what they should wear to meet the Pope.
I’m certainly not saying they should rock up in clothes they’d wear going clubbing or on the red carpet.
I thought this Pope might be more progressive as I thought the previous Pope would be too.
Sadly not.

I don't know if it's what this current Pope is dictating, or what people consider to be traditional. I suspect Stephanie and Guillaume are somewhat traditional. I've seen pictures of recent Audiences where people are pretty much are in normal clothing.
I remember my Mum wearing a mantilla to Mass long after Vatican II. It was her habit and preference and she didn't want to change.

The head covering is entirely optional nowadays, not required. Even with the privilège du blanc, it’s the choice of the wearer.

I lived in Southern Italy and in Malta when I was a child. There was always a neatly folded black mantilla on a little shelf on the right of the door of churches in case anyone forgot to bring one…..

Oh I had a beautiful, black lace mantilla, really heavy. It was gorgeous!

It is entirely up to the visitor what they wear.

As far back as 1997, Irish president Mary Robinson met John Paul II wearing a green suit, a sprig of mimosa to mark International Women's Day and no head covering. The pope didn't care.

Evening all

Long time, no post!
Lots going on chez locketrocket, hence being awol.

Looking forward to catching up 😊

Evening, @locketrocket , nice to see you back.

Hi all, I've just seen this and thought it was right up our alley - the V&A are doing a live-streamed talk called "Fashioning the Crown", about the House of Windsor's approach to fashion and "image management". It's £6 and you can either watch live on zoom or via a recording.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/LryGgDb1E6/fashioning-the-crown-livestream

Edited to add the blurb from the website as they explain it better than me:

From the birth of the house of Windsor in 1917, its leading women faced the perils of abdication and assassination, revolution and the rise of fascism, the threat of invasion and all-out war. Their sartorial decisions, alongside those of their royal husbands, projected power and perpetuity, diplomacy and defiance.

Drawing on original research in the Royal Archives and her own experiences at Balmoral, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, Justine Picardie’s latest book, Fashioning the Crown (Faber) tells a cinematic story of espionage and exquisite couture. In conversation with the V&A’s Oriole Cullen, Picardie will explore the reinvention of the British monarchy and how royal fashion has long been wielded as a weapon.

This talk will be held on Zoom and all ticketholders will receive a link to view the morning of the talk. It will also be recorded for those not able to join live.

Ooh, that looks good - thanks! I like Justine Picardie's writing about fashion and clothes anyway, so will probably end up buying the book...

Thanks for that, @FGSWhatNow .

That's good to hear, I haven't read any of her writing before so hopefully the talk will be interesting. I might dust off one of my honorary tiaras to watch.

Her book My Mother's Wedding Dress is a lovely read.

Oh wow, this sounds fab. Especially being able to watch the recording afterwards.

I know this is S&B, but if anyone would like to give a virtual handhold, I’d very much appreciate it.
Mum is in hospital atm, and some tough conversations are being had about her cancer treatment.
Forever hopeful that some other chemo won’t react so badly. But then other chemo may not treat the cancer.

Oh goodness, that sounds very difficult. I went through similar with my lovely Dad so perhaps have an inkling of what might be going on. Nothing quite prepares you, does it? I hope that in the midst of the anguish you can find a few special moments to share together to bring you both comfort and peace 💐

Hi, @locketrocket . Have a handhold and also 💐.
It's tough. Like many on here, I've been through this, and all you can do is try to ensure that she is as comfortable and pain free as possible. It's a very difficult time. Please look after yourself.
🙏

@locketrocket handhold here. It's very hard I know.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/880285/kate-middleton-smiles-storm-chandra-north/
On another note

Kate has been in Bradford and Wakefield today. A bit of a brown look, which I'm not keen on, but it's a nice jacket, and a practical outfit for the engagements. I like her hair in the plait.

She looks very happy but I cannot get on board with head to toe shades of brown Im afraid. The plait does suit her.

Thinking of you @locketrocket I've been through it and it is hard.

That brown outfit is very practical - which is the best thing I can say about it.

That outfit is pretty basic. I hate brown clothes though so I’m not best to judge.

Same here, but brown is definitely in this season!

Handhold here @locketrocket hope your bearing up.
I have had my mum for a possible BCC check this morning. Such a worry 💜