Royal Fashion Awards: Monaco's National Day

It's always a mixed bag with the crew from Monaco, isn't it? For every well-dressed turn, you're bound to have someone else show up woefully misguided. Not that I'm naming names. Alright, I'm naming names:

Best Ridiculous

Charlene Wittstock, Day Events

Well, alright then, Charlene! This is ridiculous. Ridiculous in the most amazing way. I won't lie, when I first saw the pictures, I thought, "Yeesh, someone's trying awfully hard on their first National Day." But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. With a suit like this, you've got to go big or go home on the rest of the outfit, and she certainly did that, right down to the gloves. And hey, if Charlene's decided to bring more attention to tiny Monaco this way instead of through scandal (you know, the usual way), I'm all for it.

Most Typical

Princess Caroline, Day Events

And here we have an extraordinarily typical Caroline outfit. A little snooze-worthy, but I suppose too much oomph next to Charlene would have given me a sartorial heart attack.

Most Guilty

Princess Stephanie

It's the expression. She just has a knack for looking like she's done something wrong. In this case, she's taken a perfectly average coat and attempted to wear it like the Red Baron with that scarf. Maybe she was flying around, daredevil-style, beforehand: it's the only excuse I can think of for that hair.

Best of the Day Events

Charlotte Casiraghi

I should probably go gaga for Charlene here, but in truth, Charlotte's the one that has me lusting after her outfit. I'm loving the casual way she's got the jacket over the black and white dress (which is perfectly ladylike and flattering), and the all-black touch of tights. It's appropriate yet still completely in character.

Cutest Touch

Princess Alexandra

It's Hello Kitty. At National Day. Cute.

Best Reminder

Princess Caroline, Evening

Caroline can look a bit dowdy sometimes, I think, despite her couture-filled wardrobe. What an excellent reminder this look is: she's still got it. A touch of bling, a flattering dress, perfection.

Best Theme Commitment

Charlene Wittstock, Evening

She started the day on a retro kick, and she ended it with the most fantastic retro hair. She's also finishing her commitment to the Armani theme, with the second of two outfits I previously begged for a royal to sport. The only thing I'd change here is to get rid of the hand hold for the train of the skirt. It's a little awkward, especially considering there weren't even any pictures (that I saw, at least) of her not holding it up.

Best Men

Andrea and Pierre Casiraghi

You didn't think I'd let this day go by without an appearance from two handsome royal men, did you? Of course you didn't. Glad to see Andrea looking good - he's been looking a little rough around the edges of late.

Who topped your best-dressed list in Monaco?

Photos: Daylife/Zimbio/Getty/HuffPo

Flashback Friday: Royal Engagement Outfits

I've been thinking about it, and I've decided this: the royal engagement outfit has to be one of the hardest outfits in royal life to get just right.

First of all, it's not an everyday business meeting. (Well, I suppose once upon a time it was a business meeting, but I should hope we've moved past that by now.)

Now, I love me some Tatiana, but her engagement outfit just wasn't...special, you know? And even when you fancy the day-to-day suit up, à la Letizia, you're not immune to criticism.

Second, it may not be an every day event, but it's still not an evening occasion - Sophie's engagement suit I recall being criticized as too "evening" just because she went for a little beading. And there's something off about Charlene in a long dress next to Albert in a regular old suit.

That said, it's not a casual occasion either, Mathilde. (I guess they were going for the young and fresh angle?)

Thirdly, one must be careful not to date oneself.

Because as these two ladies well know, the engagement photos will remain long after the marriage ceases to exist.

Yes, timeless is the way to go. Princess Elizabeth looks well-dressed even 60 years later.

And at least Madeleine can be proud of her engagement outfit, even if she didn't end up being proud of the engagement.

Now, let us revisit the case of Miss Catherine Middleton:

Another one for the timeless category, I say. Not too fancy, not too casual. Made by a British designer (Issa, a fave of Kate's as well as Beatrice and Eugenie). Hits it on all points, all while managing to avoid too great a comparison to the inevitable:

  
Tell me: who tops your all-time best dressed royal fiancée list, and where does Kate rank on your list?

The Royal House of Grimaldi

Principality: Monaco

Royal House Name: Grimaldi

Current Head: HSH Prince Albert II (born: March 1958)

Reigned: Since April 5, 2005

Consort: Single (engaged to Charlene Wittstock)

Heir Presumptive: HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover

Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock

Monaco is a sovereign state in Southern France on the Mediterranean Coast near the French Riviera. It is one of the smallest independent states in the world with a land area of only 40 hectares, but it gains a status of being one of the most progressive independent states and one of the most visited places in the world. Its gross domestic product relies mainly on tourism and fashion.

The Monegasque throne was founded in the late part of 13^th century through Lanfranco Grimaldi, a merchant-turned pirate who descended from the Genoan Guelphic family in Italy. During this time Monaco is not yet a principality as Grimaldi only used the title, Lord of Monaco. In 1309 he died without a direct successor so the throne was passed to his first cousin, Rainier I. Unlike Lanfranco Grimaldi, Rainier’s trading activities were legitimate so the French Monarch at that time appointed him Grand Admiral of France before he became the Lord of Monaco.

              
In 1612, the subsequent ruler, Honoré II, assumed the title of prince, thus, giving the Monaco a status of principality. Monaco was a Spanish protectorate but in 1641, the principality allied with France through the Treaty of Peronne.

During the French revolution, the royal family of Grimaldi was forced to flee the principality in 1793 and was allowed to return only in 1815 following the Treaty of Paris. Since then, Monaco assumed the status of being a self-governing state but due to its limited power and resources, the state relies on France for its armed forces.

The reigning sovereign of Monaco is His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II who ascended the Monegasque throne in April 5, 2005 on the death of his father, Prince Rainier. As with most principalities in Europe, the royal family of Monaco used a courtesy title of His or Her Serene Highness which is inferior to His or Her Royal Highness. Albert is still single and his status has been the subject of so much controversies and speculations, it’s still hard to believe that at 52, the dashing Prince is still unmarried, but in June 2010 the palace announced his official engagement to Charlene Wittstock, a South American Olympian whom he started dating in 2006. They will tie a knot on July 2011.

Prince Albert with his older sister, HRH Princess Caroline (tucking between them is Caroline's daughter, Princess Alexandra)

Unless he sired legitimate children, the Sovereign Prince’s heir is his older sister, Princess Caroline who assumed the title "The Hereditary Princess of Monaco" in 2005. Caroline is married to His Royal Highness Prince Ernst August of Hanover, a descendant of Queen Victoria of England and King Christian IX of Denmark. Through this marriage, the Princess acquired a title of His Royal Highness which is much grander than her previous HSH style.

ROYAL FAMILY OF MONACO

HSH Prince Albert II, the Sovereign Prince

HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, Hereditary Princess

HRH Prince Ernst August

  HRH Princess Alexandra

HRH Princess Stephanie