Royal Style: Bring on the Summer Bling!

[Maireas]

Royal Style: Summer's lease will soon be here, as will summer style, we hope!

I had a lovely friend called Dolores. She went by Dolly. I am named after assorted ancestors
All nice but didn't want an old lady name. I would have loved to be Diana!

I have a French Catholic name. My mother being Irish Catholic snubbed the usual names. My brothers didn't have Irish names either. My youngest son has a very Irish name. But living in Wales he's never met another.

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/g24676517/queen-elizabeths-style-evolution/
Queen Elizabeth's Style Evolution - some great outfits here.

I like the outfit she wore to Harry and Meghan's wedding, and also the unusual metallic dress. The dress she wore to the Royal Variety Performance in 1999 was something else! Maybe she just fancied feeling a bit jazzy.

I think there is a tradition that king’s names alternate between Christian and Frederick so I don’t think they had much choice.

What is quite surprising is that, despite Diana’s huge popularity it never translated into the name Diana becoming popular.
Quite a few Carolines were so named in Ireland after Princess Caroline of Monaco and Caroline Kennedy because of the Irish interest in Grace Kelly and JFK at the time

Good point about the name Diana, @deeahgwitch . You'd think that a popular figure like that would inspire baby names, but apparently not!

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a71075633/kate-middleton-queen-elizabeth-centenary-outfit-jewelry/
Kate today at a BP reception for Centenarians.
Lilac and the late Queen's pearls

And her earrings. Lilac don't recall seeing her in that colour before.

I had to look quite hard for lilac/lavender @Maireas- the purple is one of my favourite dresses on Kate so I added it in even though it’s not really lilac!

Thanks, @RomainingCalm . You're right, it's not a colour she wears a lot, but I do like that evening gown in the second picture. I think that's from early in her marriage.

Thank you for the photos @RomainingCalm
The second from the left is gorgeous on her.
If you glance really quickly at the first photo on the left there is a resemblance to Elizabeth Hurley imho.

All the senior royals today

Buckingham Palace reception

https://www.tatler.com/article/the-duchess-of-gloucester-dazzles-in-diamond-and-ruby-earrings-as-she-supports-king-charles-to-commemorate-the-centenary-of-queen-elizabeth-ii
Birgitte looking lovely in that red suit.

That's a really lovely picture. I like Sophie's dress and it's lovely to see the Duke of Kent and Alexandra.
No Michaels, but I think they have both been unwell, particularly Marie Christine.

Brigitte wins it for me! The red suit is very chic. I don't think the colour of Kate's dress suited her.

I agree, I think it washes her out a bit. Very much paler or darker might work.

Lilac is a colour that in theory I should wear, but it always sees a bit old-lady coded to me and so I really never have! It is very much having a fashion moment just now though - I noted the very stylish Michelle Ogundehin wearing a lilac overcoat in Interior Design Masters on tv tonight - and so I have been pondering dipping a toe in...

I wonder if Kate thought similarly about a newly fashionable spring colour? Or she might have worn it as a tribute to QEII, who did wear a lot of lilac? Either way, I’m delighted to see her wearing some of the Queen’s actual pearls rather than the faux pearls she wears a lot.

Camilla looks magnificent there!

The article says it's just the senior working Royals, the Michaels are not I don't think, it is also why no Sir Tim. I'd like to see more pictures of them individually, esp Camilla as her clothes are dark it's hard to see them properly in that photo. Birgitte is stunning as always. I really like Sophie's dress and it suits her but feels slightly casual compared to the others. Edward (DofE not DofK)'s jacket looks too big.

Even my DH who is blind to clothes commented on DofEs ill fitting double breasted (is it vintage?) jacket! Made me chuckle as I couldn't imagine DH having anything in common with this fashion loving sparkle devoted thread.

https://www.newmyroyals.com/2026/04/the-royal-family-attended-reception.html
A few more details of the clothes, including Camilla's navy Emilia Wickstead coat and dress.

Edward of Edinburgh lost a shed load of weight in the months immediately following his mother's death. I am wondering if he is gradually putting it back on and following the example of his sister Anne will continue to wear his clothes,even if a bit baggy.

I like Sophie's dress but to me she looks a bit underdressed compared to everyone else. That said, I suspect non of the people there cared so why should I? 😊

I think it is because some of the other ladies were wearing such striking colours that Sophie stood out as a bit 'underdressed'. I must admit I loved the fact that the Duke of Kent was wearing lovely purple socks. No stuffy black for him! I do think Princess Alexandra looks exceedingly frail. I remember that Edward and Sophie stood either side if her with an arm round hers so she could stand for the Coronation photo.