Category Archives: Liechtenstein

European Royals Attend Papal Inauguration

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The Inauguration Mass for Pope Francis was held in St Peter’s Square in Rome today. A number of European royals attended this event, which marks the beginning of the papacy. The standard royal dress code for visits to the Vatican is black with a head veil, however, five Catholic sovereigns currently hold Privilège du Blanc. Queen Paola of Belgium and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg chose to wear white today; Queen Paola’s Belgian lace veil was just exquisite.

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The last time she visited the Vatican, Princess Charlene of Monaco wore white; today, she chose black.

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Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and Princess Letizia of Austurias wore traditional black lace veils.

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Princesses Sophie and Margaretha of Liechtenstein, pictured behind and beside Prince Albert in the photos below, were in black lace veils as well.

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The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended as representatives of Queen Elizabeth and the British Government. Brigitte wore what looks to be a black pillbox (or bumper) with veil.

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An array of beautiful veils here, don’t you think? To those of you more knowledgeable about fashion- can someone explain why some of the royals wore full length dresses (Maria Theresa and Máxima) while most wore knee-length?

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 Photos from Getty Images as indicated

Luxembourg Wedding: The Princess of Liechtenstein

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Royal Hats With such close ties between the Luxembourg and Liechtenstein families (the groom’s aunt is a Princess of Luxembourg through birth and a Princess of Liechtenstein through marriage), it was no surprise to see Prince Hans Adam and Princess Marie Aglaë (Liechtenstein’s equivalent of King and Queen) at this wedding. Princess Marie wore a black organza ribbon fascinator with small feathers… and while I was originally going to make a comment about it being a little young for her, I’ve decided instead to compliment her. I liked how her black accessories tied her outfit together and I think it’s wonderful that a woman over age 40 has confidence to wear a whimsical headpiece.

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Luxembourg Wedding: Extended Family

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Royal Hats The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg were all in attendance for their nephew/cousin’s wedding. Guillaume’s aunt, Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria (Grand Duke Henri’s older sister), looked jaw-droppingly elegant in this grey and beige ensemble complete with wide brimmed beige hat. I loved the size and angle of the hat with her short hair so much that I didn’t even notice the too-pointy centre (hidden by an oddly shaped bow).

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Marie Astrid’s daughter, Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum, wore what looks to be a royal blue transparent fascinator with feather trim. From this distance, I’m not a fan… or maybe I’m just distracted by what seems to be a dress too skimpy for a major royal wedding.

Marie Astrid’s new daughter-in-law, Archduchess Kathleen of Austria, wore a cute purple pillbox with coordinated bow and feather trim. I usually prefer pillbox hats on hair that is neatly tied back into some sort of chignon, but I’ll give Kathleen a pass for her first major royal event as a member of the family. The next person to enter into the Luxembourg Royal Family will be Adelaide Drapé-Frisch, who is marrying Marie-Astrid’s son Christophe this December. Adelaide looked very royal in a salmon pink hat with net bow and wide brim. I loved how the colour of the hat coordinated with her patterned dress and wrap.

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, Grand Duke Henri’s younger sister, looked beautiful in pale pink. while I didn’t really understand the different shades of pink in her outfit (mauve pink dress, blush pink wrap, dusty rose hat) I loved the hat on its own. Like her older sister, the size and brim shape looked fantastic on her, especially in contrast with her dark hair.

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Princess Margaretha’s daughter Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein (named after her sister, the Marie-Astrid mentioned above in case you’re getting confused!) sported a chocolate pillbox with veil. I loved her hair (see what I mean about pillboxes and hair tied back?!) but found it difficult in the full shot to see where her hair ended and the hat began. I loved her choice of bold earrings- such a modern twist with a retro pillbox!- although the patterned dress, big earrings and hat veil all add up to a lot going on.

Countess Diane of Nassau, wife of Grand Duke Henri’s brother Jean, showed her allegiance to the Red Hat Society with this red and purple feathered cocktail hat. I think this is a case of too much… in all the wrong places.

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Countess Diane’s stepdaughter Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau (daughter of Prince Jean of Luxembourg and his first wife Helene, shown here with her youngest brother, Prince Carl ) wore a large brimmed latte coloured straw hat to match her brocade coat. I’m afraid I find the whole look rather bland – it’s all a little too beige, especially with her dark blonde hair.

Now THIS is how to do a red hat! Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, wife of Grand Duke Henri’s younger brother Prince Guillaume (after whom the groom was named) wore a lovely curved red hat with lattice detail on the brim designed by British milliner Dillon Wallwork. Pairing a red hat with a red coat and dress is too much red for my taste, but the hat looked great on her.

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Special thanks to The Luxarazzi Blog for assistance on this post. 

Photos from Getty as indicated; Stella Pictures and Rex Features