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?

The photo of Anne is from the Spanish state visit in 2017 so she was 66/67 then. I think there may be a touch of photoshop added ‘to prove the point that she has barely changed’ but yes she appears totally free on any tweakments.

I suspect she is way too no nonsense for even a bit of Botox which I admire. I suspect the more high profile you are, the more you see photos of yourself and the more you are tempted to get minor surgeries to ‘retain your youth’ like several queens and princesses have.

Perhaps the difference is that Anne was never lauded for her looks and so never felt the need for tweaks.

As an aside I have to say Anne was lovely in her youth and her pic now shows the natural ageing of a woman - the droopy eyelids, the dropping of the fat pads of the face, the thinning of the lips. This is normal. I've seen a couple of videos of her recently where she has jested with the crowd and she looks so lovely - a spark in her eyes and the personality in there.

I am a similar age to her and, as a teenager, never thought of her as being particularly pretty - there was always something a bit toothy about her (like William). She scrubbed up well for photos (as did I!) but I think her attractiveness came from within and her smile and twinkly eyes now set her apart.

I cannot see anything James Bondy about a young Charles either - gawky and awkward with an old-fashioned hairstyle - but both his confidence and natural ageing have remodelled him. My opinion obviously 😁

Anne has never been what I'd call a natural beauty, but I agree she radiates beauty from within, scrubs up well and is so confident and grounded. Great posture helps too. Despite her first marriage failing and it all being a bit messy at the time she has kept her dignity and professionalism throughout and never really set a foot wrong in public life. No doubt having Sir Tim quietly behind her for all these years has been a huge support, I like him, he's not a working Royal but he's there, all the time, quietly supporting her and never trying to get into the limelight.

I wonder how much of Anne's style (hair always the same, practical sensible clothes) is because she found her style and has stuck to it. Or a uniform designed to make her easily recognisable. The late Queen often wore outfits that were very similar, same shaped hats etc. Catherine has her long locks that are instantly recognisable. I wonder how much is because they love it, how much is so that in a crowd they can be picked out so that people making an effort to see them find it easier.

Anne's hair is certainly very distinctive and suits her. I have always wondered if she wears it like that because it is the sort of fluffy hair that is hard to style either long or short and this keeps it tidy as well as suiting her face shape. It does make her distinctive and as she doesn't go for the bold block colours that the late queen did so perhaps it is also a stand out in a crowd thing, I hadn't thought of that.

https://www.newmyroyals.com/2026/02/the-duchess-of-edinburgh-attends-dinner.html
Sophie's had dinner in Nairobi with female leaders. A shirt dress with a strong pattern, which wouldn't be my personal choice, but I think it suits her and I like the colour.

I like the colour and print but I think the belt is wrong

I like the belt, it adds a bit of interest. I think it looks like a kimono belt.

I like the belt too...I assume the pattern ans size would disguise my tummy? Sophie maybe has a nice flat tummy though!
Charles seemed to spend his twenties flying helicopters and being hugged in the sea and canoodling with Susan George and being mobbed by the Three Degrees!

And moaning that his life was utter hell, let's not forget that. I do think he has probably got much nicer and a bit more normal as he's aged, but stories of him as a young to middle-aged man rarely show him in a good light.

There's a story about Edward VII, as Prince of Wales, saying to the vicar of Sandringham after a service, "I don't mind singing about the Eternal Father strong to save, but I think I am the only man in the country afflicted with an Eternal Mother..."

I always reckon Charles had a great deal of fellow feeling with him.

Bad enough a mother and father...poor Charles had Mountbatten and the Queen Mother advising him!

I think Camilla has played a huge part in transforming Charles from the dysfunctional younger man he was to the likeable, settled, well-behaved man he is (IMO) now.

I like Sophie's green shirt dress. I'd wear the belt knotted to the side for a more streamlined look.

Evening all

Mum passed away early Saturday morning 😢😢
This thread has been a lovely distraction in the final weeks and days.

I’ve sorting through her jewellery with dsis and dad.
I’d forgotten she had a lovely collection of brooches, which are now being looked after by me 🥰🥰

So sorry to hear of your loss @locketrocket. I hope seeing and wearing the brooches gives you lots of pleasure and pride.

My mum was too unwell with dementia to go to my dad’s funeral but I wore one of her brooches and also a ring of hers so I felt she was a bit more present on the day.

Condolences @locketrocket 💐💐love that you have your mum’s brooches.

My heart and sympathy goes out to you ❤️

Sorry for your loss, @locketrocket .
🕯️

@locketrocket so sorry for your loss. I hope her jewellery will help you to carry happy memories of her with you. 💐

Sorry I missed you @Choux, I hope you’re doing well too! 💐

So sorry @locketrocket it's always comforting to have a physical memory as well as the mental ones 💔

Nice thing to do 🌷