Royal Style: Spring Forward! Bling Forward, too..

[Maireas]

Welcome to style mavens old and new to continue our chats.
Hopefully more bling if there's another banquet on the horizon?

We joke about a " wee wifie's short perm" where I originate from. There is no way I am ever having that. Ps I'm much older than you ☺️

Anyway back to the clothes, I’m not keen on the green gown , I don’t like the shade of green and although it’s tailored beautifully and flows perfectly, it’s very plain, I understand that obviously this was chosen to be modest for the occasion.
far from cluttered I think the choice to wear her hair down was the best decision with this dress an up do would make it look to harsh in my opinion.

That Is the actual point of the modesty ! To respect the guests who may be fasting 🙄 It's high level hostessing and is appropriate to your guests and not your own indulgence.

My mum and all her friends had hair cut short and they went for a shampoo and set every other Saturday! A bit like the late Queen. Not one hair ever moved!

@ExcellentDaydream and @corblimeyguvnr , excellent points!
Hair care has most definitely improved.

Oh don’t!! The tight , permed , often colour rinsed helmet!! , I saw so many little old ladies sporting that look when I was young ( disclaimer, were they really that old ? Or was it because I was young? ) , I can’t think of a more aging hairstyle! And unfortunately it is now forever cemented in my mind accompanied with a see through plastic rain bonnet!!

Yep! They had rain bonnets, too! It was de rigeur. They couldn't afford to go to hairdressers when they were young, so I think it was also a badge of becoming middle class and being able to afford it.

I’m wondering if it was a hangover from the war , when women were encouraged to get shorter more manageable hairstyles?🤔

Yes, I think that's a good point. Shorter and more practical.
Side point - when my mum was doing war work, the women were provided with disposable sanitary towels, the first time she'd seen them.

Wow! , that’s really interesting @Maireas, I love hearing these interesting things, my parents are only 70 , so it would have been more likely my grandparents ( if I’d had them) that would know these things.❤️
ps my dh tells me things too that I find interesting, superglue was invented to glue wounds on the battlefield and tampons were used for bullet holes ( he’s ex forces and very interested in military history)

I love all those details! Yes, the women nursing found another use for the tampons!
My Mum and her sister used to boil rags, then afterwards, burn them on the fire. Not practical with war work, so Lady Nuffield organised free disposable sanpro.

Have we seen Catherine's emerald earrings before?

The Queen Mother's Sapphire and Fringe earrings.
Lots of details on What Kate Wore (see below)

https://whatkatewore.com/2026/03/18/the-princess-wears-andrew-gn-gown-for-nigeria-state-dinner/

So interesting @Maireas! Sorry @Lunde! Totally derailing here!

😁

The Duchess of Gloucester wore Queen Mary's Iveagh tiara. Her daughter Rose wore it when she got married. It's a beauty 😍

What Kate Wore says that Kate's dress is 100% silk, that must move beautifully. I like it in the pale blue as well.

My mother and all her sisters had hair styles exactly like QEII from their early 20s (they were similar age to her). In my mother's case it suited her (my oldest aunt veered toward the helmet). perm and then wash and set every week.

I loved Anne's coat - first time around and this time.

I liked the green dress but thought the dress would have been better with her hair (sorry for mentioning it) in an up do. Between the high neck, the sleeves, the sash and the order on here shoulder, the hair made it cluttered. I also prefer a tiara with an updo.

just saw the Duchess of Gloucester - fab jewels!

I have a question about the table (love looking at the tables - setting the table is nearly my favourite bit of hosting) - are those place mats/chargers with Elizabeth's initials? Is there a reason for using them?

I would definitely prefer it in pale blue.

I'm not sure about that, @Pallisers . The table looks amazing though, and the floral arrangements are beautiful.

Yes, it looks ethereal. I didn't realise how many other items she has from the same designer.

Shorter hairstyles in years gone by were also a lot about the prevalence of lice and the difficulty in dealing with them.

I’m sure I remember reading about it being more common for wealthier women to have longer hair because they were less likely to share beds with their children therefore less likely to catch lice from them. Which is logical

Sorry I’m lazy @Maireas! Where can I find a picture of the dress in blue? , I’m really not keen on certain shades of green, definitely want to see if seeing it in another colour would make me more favourable to the green gown.