74 thoughts on “Hats and tiaras for Ascot and Waterloo”

1. Ah, world history! One of my fave subjects in school.
   And, it didn’t even feature such finery (hats and tiaras) in the text books!

   Love these photos, so much KMR.

   The Queen always looks picture perfect. I was surprised to see PA in an ensemble I liked. (Beige and brown dress, coat and hat). She carried it off! And, wasn’t even sporting her usual unpleasant facial expression.

   Bea and Eugenie just don’t do it for me. Beatrice’s orange and blue hat would fit in perfectly at a New York Mets game. Their team colors, if others don’t know.

   Camilla wears her tiaras with such aplomb. Just beautiful. Her hats usually are a hit, too.

   Anne in the white dress and scarf — just boring.

   Did not like Sophie’s light gray dress, but boy was that hat stunning.

   PC and Camilla always look perfect together He’s so dapper and she really is his soul mate.
   The close-up of her brooch was very intriguing. Not the usual glitz and glamour, but filled with important meaning.

   I’m sitting here in jeans and a t-shirt, waiting to take my daughters to the park. Oh, how I wish I had somewhere fancy to go, so I could get all gussied up and feel gorgeous for a while.

   Maybe, I will change into a sundress and throw caution to the wind! It’s hot enough to do that and I’m tired of my boring mom look.

   1. Mary Elizabeth and all you girls,

      DO IT!! Dress up. With young kids, you can still do it with casual dresses and ballet flats etc…

      I wear dresses, skirts and heels to work all the time. Since I am on my feet 12 hours so I would change into my sketchers. I wear casual dresses, skirts in the summer all the time.

      My husband has not worked for 2 years so we didn’t get to go parties, concerts. Now that he just found a job, we will go to shows again. When I do, I will sew me a new dress for each occasion.:)

      How I wish to be able to wear white gloves and hats. I can do gloves and hats in the winter time. But in the summer time, it looks odd. When I was in South Korea, part of a ladies’ wardrobe was a parasol. I bought a few parasols and fitted myself right in.:))

      1. Oh, I guess my initial post made it seem as if I am never dressed up. Just felt particularly blah that day and had spent too many days in too casual a look.
         Yes, I did put on a sundress as posted below and I felt better. Yes, I do wear nicer looks other days, too.

         It’s just when seeing so many well-dressed ladies in so many of the photos on this blog, I often think, as Constance said, “I wish I had more glam places to go. Still, I can and do make myself more presentable often.
         Thanks for the encouragment, though.

      2. I agree! World History today is much more interesting – Love it all!

         HMs the RF at Ascot were all a beautiful family. The Hats in attendance – most attendees were as they say “Hats Off” to all – just lovely!

         Thanks KMR, a busy period with lovely inclusive articles/photos.

   2. I think casual skirts in the summer are more comfortable than shorts or jeans/slacks. Wear them all the time even lying around at home. You zip them up with some snappy casual shoes (I’ve got some printed ballet flats) and a great sun hat. Voila! Practically ready to go to a wedding!

2. KMR thanks for the background on the Battle of Waterloo. Its really great to have these mini refreshers on history (aside: it helps me on game night!). Its great to see displays of affection between PC/Camilla. PW would have left Kate to navigate those cobblestones, in heels, without help from him. Sophie continues to rule the fashion scene at Ascot! I rarely comment on Princess Anne’s fashion because like Zara she is usually a train wreck, but she looks great (for Anne). I don’t get the York girls. They are either over the top or very boring.

   1. Zoom in to Camilla’s jewels. The tiara we’ve seen before but that’s one of Mrs. Greville’s necklaces and it’s all diamonds. Holy crap.

      1. And she’s wearing the complete necklace. QM very rarely wore the complete necklace. Camilla is wearing all 5 strands of the necklace.

         The earrings are equally fabulous as is the bracelet.

         The Duchess’s bling is equally amazing.

         1. I agree, but don’t you think the straps on her gown get in the way of the necklace? I wish she’d have worn bracelets over her gloves . . . she’d have been Audrey Hepburn incarnate!

            1. Yes. That’s my only criticism. A gown without straps is exactly what’s needed.

3. If someone bopped Beatrice on the head, I wonder if she’d say “That was easy!”?! 😉

4. That pistachio color is so pretty on the Queen. And I’m even going to go with “pretty” for Anne in that first picture – what a difference a smile makes. Previously I’ve thought Sophie’s styles looked somewhat matronly, but this gray dress looks a little girlish to me. Signing off, in jeans and a sweatshirt, from the fashion-forward U.S. Midwest 🙂
   P.S. Mary Elizabeth – I know what you mean: where I live one scarcely has to dress up for anything anymore – symphony concert, nice restaurant….

   1. Hi, Constance:

      Hope you got to dress up and enjoy your anniversary.

      Did put on a sundress and it made all the difference in the world. Both my little girls called me
      “pretty.”

      1. Dear Mary Elizabeth, alas…my husband had to be away on an international research trip on the actual day, so the night before we left, we went out for frozen custard 🙂 I’m holding out for the 50th – there’ll be no holding back then! Good for you for putting on the sundress!

         1. Frozen custard is great, Constance.

            And, I say dinner anytime! Don’t wait for the Big 5 0, although, that will be so special, too.

            Thanks for your kind words.

5. I do not understand where William & Katherine are? I thought they would be a part of this ceremony & ascot?

   1. They’ve never attended Ascot.

      As for the rest, par of the course really.

   2. I agree. It is way pass time the ‘heir to … start acting like ..

      P*km isolation hidden in the country (only with carol/the middletons) will have the children afraid of people, their RF members and afraid to be children – rather sad. At the Polo, Autumn Philips picked up P George from behind and George quickly looked at km – as if he would be in trouble to be held by a family member – than km*Petulant.

6. I don’t want to hijack this post but just wanted to say Happy 5th Anniversary to Victoria and Daniel!!

   The Queen as always looks beautiful! And Anne, surprisingly looked lovely as well. I actually liked Bea’s blue and orange hat, the shape and colors looked great on her and the white dress is very flattering on her. Sophie looked great each day!! I liked both the grey dress as well as the Emily Wickstead coat. Sophie has really upped her fashion game and so far I’m liking the results.

   How surprising to see Camilla in Christian Dior, I don’t think she’s wore their creations before. I love the blue dress she wore to the Wellington banquet and wow that tiara looks like it was custom made for her. How is that now when ever one of the royals wears blue I think Kate had a hand in their selection??

7. Oh Camilla! I just love seeing what she turns out in. She is continuing to hit her stride with her outfits. Sophie looked good as well. Bea wore a dress one day at Ascot with these huge circle insets in the skirt that just baffled me. Her white trapeze dress was nice though.

   1. Are you getting better Lisa?

      1. Hi Beatrice, slowly. I’ve only been out of the hospital for a week on Monday. Long way to go. Luckily I’m not on the heavy duty pain meds any more and taking it easy so I don’t have to go back on them.

   2. The first thing Bea made me think of – with that blue maxi skirt with the huge circle insets – was that she had escaped the MARY POPPINS book 😛 or maybe a Dr. Seuss – the colors were quite bright XD

      1. I actually thought that outfit and this one were major league improvements and I liked me 🙂 I must be weird 🙂

         1. I felt the same way as you did about that outfit, Gie. Only thing I didn’t like was the hat. We can be weird together!

   3. I missed your post in the other thread, Lisa. Hope you’re healing well and looking forward to not memorizing every bathroom within 20 miles! (I know someone who has Crohns; it’s awful.)

      1. Yes bluhare, Crohn’s is an awful condition. I wouldn’t wish it on any one. So far, so good. No pain in my intestinal tract and I even had cheese cake yesterday for the first time in years and had no adverse affects from it! There are so many things I missed eating over the years because of this condition.

8. I am totally cool with Bea’s and Eugenie’s outfits. Just wished Eugenie didn’t spoil the outfit with the black blazer. Love Sophie’s outfits and Maxima’s dress

   1. Agree – the Yorks were beautiful!

9. * Maxima looks great. As. Always.
   I thought her husband was losing a bit of weight too, I guess he fell off the bandwagon…

   * Camilla actually looks great. Her favorite look is that beautiful blue gown with the tiara.
   I wonder if her married life to PC has been what she expected. Granted, she married at a “mature age” and I do believe they are soul-mates but I read/heard somewhere that she kept her home to escape the royal protocol and “be herself, letting her hair down and enjoying her kids and family”. So I do wonder if she too tires of the events and the protocol or if she has grown to like or actually enjoys it.

   Anyway, again, she looks great in blue…

   * The York Girls:
   Bea has gotten in great shape but she is in need of a stylist that likes her. She manages to wear nice things that flatter her and always has an item that totally ruins her look.
   Eugenie is really pretty. I think she just needs to lose a bit of weight. Like 10 lbs tops.

   * Sophie is the best dressed member of the BRF. She is super pretty, in great shape, elegant and poised… she is the prettiest lady at Ascot and I love both of her looks. Glad she wore that bold green dress again 🙂

   * Princes Anne – Goodness. I just saw an article on the DM applauding her for “recycling” her clothes for over 30yrs!!! Happy that she still fits in everything but her outfits seems soo matronly, I don’t even think she should be wearing them at this age, let alone 30yrs + ago 🙁

   My tip: Change the hair. Yes, it’s age appropriate NOW but why style it the same for your entire life. God, it scares me that she could have an effect on Kate 😐

   ** PS. Maybe this was in a previous post:
   – Zara . Ouch! I saw her pictures in the yellow dress and I am so sorry, I thought she was pregnant. I hate it when people pester me about having a baby and even just a bloated belly or “a glow” leading to the most annoying question, “are you pregnant” and I jumped on the bandwagon this time with her. Apologies.

10. So, I don’t want to jack this thread, but I had to share these two photos which I just stumbled upon. They are of Will and Kate at the polo match and since this is at least a thread about British Royals, I was hoping no one would mind:). I didn’t see any publication that showed these, but it looks like Will and Kate are fighting. I know it is hard to tell from photos since they are brief, but I just found them interesting considering how everyone talks about how lovey they are. If there was just one photo I probably wouldn’t think much, but the combination caught my attention. At least they are showing emotion for once and speaking with their hands :). I hope you don’t mind me posting these KMR.
    http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/prince-william-duke-of-cambridge-catherine-duchess-of-news-photo/477193450

    http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/prince-william-duke-of-cambridge-catherine-duchess-of-news-photo/477193406

    1. I for one don’t mind. Sometimes KMR makes them posts later. Hopefully it saves her some work because it is a lot of work to run a blog like this, for sure.

    2. I don’t think they’re fighting; George is too calm.

       1. Yes, I saw as well I feel they are … PW knows how to pretend for his PR role – George came out to the Polo just so…after months of hiding.

          The same last Christmas, P*km were separated -she living with carol, etc; Christmas Day Church he reached for km hand (she smiled/smirked when he did) knowingly that PW love pretend for his PR. With Prince Harry work in Africa – will be a good excuse for Petulant to get away from ambulance ‘training’ – and visit his love.

          Carol km isolated lock down at AH, wont hold PW – he must thank his stars for this ‘helicopter hobby’.

       2. I thought the same thing at first bluhare, but they could still be having an argument without raising their voices so George would be none the wiser. Especially since they are in public. The second photo with Kate is what made me think it was a fight. She just doesn’t look happy with her expression and hand movement. She looks annoyed/exasperated. But that is just my interpretation 🙂

          1. You could be dead right about the serious discussion, Overit. They do look serious, that’s for sure. Either that or the sun’s in both of their eyes. Which is tough to do when both are facing different directions. 🙂

             1. The pics in the DM show an upset PG , so I think they were arguing. If you look at Kate’s top (slightly folded at the back on the one side) they’re pictures from the same time frame.

                http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/06/19/15/299E950000000578-3123560-George_was_quickly_trying_to_get_back_into_his_mother_s_arms-a-32_1434724288845.jpg

                http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/06/19/15/299D929900000578-3123560-As_William_stole_his_son_for_a_quick_post_match_cuddle_George_wa-a-22_1434724286946.jpg

                I think they were arguing on the balcony too, Kate used her hand in a similar way. PC’s facial expression changed from a smile to a worried/sad one, and HM was a bit tense. Some mention in an earlier blog that something was up around 13:48 – 13:59, link posted in KMR Trooping blog.

                Every couple has their disagreements and sometimes arguments. Fighting in front of kids is very bad for them, create a sense of unease and insecurity in them, they do look very concerned when he was upset so I’m sure they didn’t mean for things to get that heated in front of him and it was unintentional.

    3. Ah, it does look a bit like trouble in paradise. Yikes!
       William looks miffed and as if he is trying to set someone straight, or make some kind of a point and Kate looks PO’d.

       And, little Georgie is just doing what little kids do.

       My goodness, William has a temper.

       1. The second photos of PW looking at km as if she is at the break ….

          Sad P*km speaking and PG is ‘listening’/facial- maybe about km glued and hold PG back from running around with his young cousins/grandpa POW (?!)
          Uncle Prince Harry cant get close to cuddle his nephew.

       2. These photos show nothing except a couple in deep discussion.

          Their body language isn’t tense and the baby is relaxed and calm as Bluhare pointed out.

          You want to see them having a proper argument, google the pictures taken in NZ where they are standing by a helicopter, before or after she flashed everybody.

          In that set, there is no mistaking what is going on. William looks quite aggressive, yelling, gesturing, face contorted with rage. Before he storms off.

          She is cowering, trying to stand her ground, but only managing to look like a slapped puppy.

          1. Hi, I’ve googled for those photos but can’t seem to find them. Do you have a link for them? Thanks.

             1. Here’s one I found that I think is the photos Herazeus meant.

                http://www.carolinecovets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kate-DVF.jpg

             2. I don’t see any fighting in the helicopter photos. William is probably raising his voice to be heard over the heli noise.

                I find it endlessly amusing to note how many women/men still like to cling to the notion that W&K are NOT deeply in love. You read these comments everywhere. They are in love, and deeply so. Just look at the way he is attentive to her and she responds. It is a wonderful copybook relationship – the dream of every family counsellor. They are completely in sync and completely intimate and comfortable in their own bubble everywhere they go.
                If people still want to believe that they do not love each other or that William cheats on her (and that he had cheated on her, which there is no evidence of, btw) and they lead separate lives, I can only wonder what their personal benchmark for a good relationship is. W&K met each other in college before either of them had had a serious relationship. They were each other’s first loves and many other firsts – these relationships are usually deep and very very strong if the couple is well matched. Which they are. I have no extra regard for them as individuals. In fact I don’t like many things about their work ethic but I can not deny that they are a good couple.

             3. I agree it’s hard to tell if they’re arguing or not; helicopters do make a lot of noise.

                As to whether they’re “deeply in love”, I don’t know. I suspect it’s somewhere in between the love story of the century the fans would have us believe and a negotiated contract the non-fans would have us believe. Frankly, I think it’s WK’s business, not ours.

             4. KMR: those are the before and after photos from the set. there are 3 more within the set which show William clearly yelling at her, with raised hands and contorted face and the final one he is storming off with a clenched jaw.

11. Hmmm does HRH the Queen hire spies? This article says that the maid and gardener who left Amner Hall went to work for the Queen again. That might be more likely than Carole deciding the staff should go or driving them away. Then again, if Carole was trying to boss them around they probably would rather leave than deal with that. http://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2015/kate-middleton-hires-queen-elizabeth-spy-as-new-housekeeper-reports-on-carole-middletons-middle-class-revolution/

    1. First, let me admit that I adore the royals section of Celebrity Dirty Laundry. I get to read all those “Camilla’s drunk again!!” articles without having to buy The Globe.

       In this case, they got the first two from the Queen’s staff at Sandringham, and when they left they must have made some arrangements before quitting to go back. I wouldn’t be at all surprised that they didn’t like Carole taking over — if all that’s true — and left. I would hope that the new person knows they’ll be reporting to Carole as well — if that’s true.

       1. It is hard to resist right? 🙂

    2. Thanks for the link Jennifer. That article is so funny! As for Carole bringing middle class values? That’s a laugh, Ma Middleton comes from a working class background! You could say that she became middle class when she married Michael.

       Has Carole gone home yet?

       1. True that. Any claims to gentility come from the Middleton side. And funny enough, he’s the one we never hear from. I think Catherine takes after Mike, actually, personality wise.

          And I certainly hope Carole has gone home, they aren’t invalids at Anmer, they’ll cope!

12. This is embarrassing…….

    I’m distracted by how hot Edward looks in that photo of Charles and Camilla exiting the cathedral. I’ve never, ever though he was anything to look at, even when he had all his hair and wasn’t so prematurely aged, but he looks hot in that photo!!!

    *shuffles off in embarrassment*

    1. I agree . P Edward is hot (like fine wine, as he gets older).

       I think Petulant do look a lot like his uncle Edward – his mom/Spencer family; at Ascot -Earl Spencer son looks a lot like P Will (before marriage).

    2. LOL your comment made me smile. I then went back up to look at the photo. Edward actually does look handsome there. He also looks younger in that photo (the hat helps). But his face is very handsome there. So don’t be too embarrassed 🙂

    3. He only looks hot because he doesn’t look like Edward in that photo. 🙂

13. Here’s a cute pic of George waving goodbye to Harry.

    http://worldofwindsor.tumblr.com/post/122029066058/duchessofphotoshop-george-waved-goodbye-to

    1. PG has been papped on different occasions being led out by his nanny to say goodbye to various members of his family, including his own mother.

       What that says to me is that he leads a lonely existence with only the nanny to really look after him. It’s the formality of it that gives me that impression.

       He is a very confident little boy, who seems confident with strangers, and he appears to take instructions well, so I don’t necessarily think he is in a close loving relationship with his parents. He is comfortable with them that’s for sure, but I think he would be comfortable with anyone because of his demeanour at the polo.

       1. I think that it is a en enormous leap to think that George leads a lonely existence. There is nothing to suggest that. Just because we see him with the nanny does not mean that Kate is not spending most of her time with him. The nanny probably has him for the times she is with the new baby or working out or resting. It is obvious that he is in a close loving relationship with his parents – why would he not be? Kate was raised in a completely normal fashion with two doting parents. William loves this model and has said that he wishes to replicate it with his own family. They may not have raised her to be independent, but she was obviously showered with affection. Why on earth would we believe that she would be a cold hearted mother?

          It is one thing to criticize Kate for being vain and a bit silly, not being eloquent or intelligent. It is one thing to say that she is a boring person whose life revolves around William. But it is an unbelievable stretch to say that she is not a loving mother. William and Kate are obviously devoted to one another and their family. I wish they would care about more than that – that seems to be their biggest problem.

          1. What I read in Herazeus’ comment was not a critique of his parenting, but his life. That he is not around other people much except his family.

             1. bluhare : This is what she/he says

                “What that says to me is that he leads a lonely existence with only the nanny to really look after him.”

                “Only the nanny” being the key words.

             2. bluhare : This is what she/he says

                “What that says to me is that he leads a lonely existence with only the nanny to really look after him.”

                “Only the nanny” being the key words.

             3. Interesting. I didn’t get such a bleak impression but you didn’t have to tell me twice.

             4. Newbie, i have the real world experience to make that judgement. People think just because a abay is comfortable with their parents, that makes the parents hands on. that’s a huge assumption that doesn’t take into consideration baby’s own personality and how often baby is around different adults. Only helicopter parents have insecure clingy babies because the baby never learns to relax around different adults.

                the only way to know for sure if Kate has truly bonded with PG, is to see how PG behaves in distress. that’s the litmus test with ALL babies no matter their circumstances.

                Finally in the case of PG, this isn’t the first time he has been papped being led out to say goodbye to his parents and the drill is the same. i can make that judgement.

14. @Tanya S. Have you seen the latest New Idea? Article about Kate and Camilla, says that Kate is making the children unavailable if Charles AND Camilla want to visit as Kate dislikes Camilla. Charles can visit on his own though.
    Nice way to treat the person who is paying your bills? Not!

    1. Oh No Cathy, I have been busy with family stuff, I will have to duck down to Woolies tomorrow morning before they put the new ones out. I wouldn’t put anything past Waity, even though No Idea is a rotten mag, there is no smoke without fire and I am sure that Waity is up to something

       1. @Tanya S. I agree, I think Kate is up to something too. Funny that they decide to leak things in an Australian magazine, it’s like they are testing the waters to see what people think? Or sliding an idea in under the radar?
          I get the feeling that Kate thinks she is the main event and she is the star of the show?

          1. If that is true at all, Kate is skating on very thin ice. Charles is notoriously thin skinned about how people treat Camilla. Has frozen out people and behaved horribly to people he felt slighted Camilla.

             1. Oh,I believe it. I’m personally experiencing that behaviour with my FiL and his new wife. It’s grown men who don’t want their decision making challenged. You either like it or piss off and feel the wrath. Can be very frustrating for all involved, but you learn to deal :(. I’m sure that’s what Will and Harry went through with the Camilla situation. Put up or shut up!

          2. I am not happy, the only time Woolies get their act together and remove the old mags before I get there. Yep, I think that Waity is skating on VERY thin ice. PC will not be very happy at all Waity might find she is out in the cold very soon

             1. @Tanya S. Have a look for the latest New Idea. The story is in the copy out this week here. I’m assuming they run the same stories in the NZ version as the OZ version each week and only change some local stories depending on what is happening in each country?

             2. Cathy, I read it. They made Camilla out to be an alcoholic ( well in that family who wouldn’t be). But really the stuff about being payback for the hurt that she caused in the last generation is just silly. And I actually laughed out loud at the suggestion that Camilla has slugged Prince Philip that was just too funny.

                And Waity and Whiny want to bring their kids up as normal, that is not going to happen. To not let kids play with others as the pics from the Polo show is NOT normal. And the quote that Waity never touches booze, unlike Camilla was fantastic. They really did earn the title, “No Idea” this week.

    2. I would never shut the door on Charles. It may be a while, or ever, if Kate is in charge. He can make her life really hard or really easy. I would choose the latter. As far as her relationship with Camilla, I hope that it is due to her own experience and not from Diana’s.

15. June 21 is William’s birthday & he is age 33 today?

16. Yes 33 years old today. Happy Birthday William!

17. Kmr, you link above is the one this year that i bought to people attention that William is angry with kate for just flashing the press on arrival! I could wrong, maybe it is another one? I hope they are in love with each other! It would not make me happy if they were miserable! I had such high hopes that Km would be an asset the GB! I know now i was very wrong.

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