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June 19, 2013

Victoria’s Hair, Part 2

Dear Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden,

Remember when I suggested this?

You seemed to take that suggestion on board for one event, for which I applaud you. The rest of the time, however, I wonder: why the skinned-back look here, here, and everywhere?


Please cut, layer, or change it up! You would be stellar.

Love,

Mandy

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June 2, 2013

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Sixty years ago today, the former Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. It was a day of great pomp and circumstance, befitting a lovely new monarch.

Queen-Philip-Margaret_large

Joining her on the day were her small children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, along with her mother, husband, and sister (as seen above). It was a day that the Queen would never forget, and certainly a day that would live in her subjects’ minds and hearts for many years to come.

King George VI Coronation

Above, another special coronation day that would be a big part of Elizabeth’s life: that of her father, King George VI. He was not prepared to take the crown, but he did so out of duty to his country and his family. The war time king became a symbol for his nation and a noble presence that the princess adored her entire life.

Even from a young age, Elizabeth has been dutiful and mindful of not merely her own legacy, but that of her father’s, grandfather’s, and all of the monarchs before her. Even to this day, 60 years later, she has not let us down. God Save The Queen! Vivat Regina!

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June 2, 2013

The Queen of Scotland

What can I say about this photo that hasn’t already been said? It’s magnificent. The Queen of Scotland in her honored finery.

Thistle Queen

The Queen, still majestic (perhaps even more so) at 87 years, stands regal on the Scottish landscape. Her sweeping green Thistle robes are complimented by the Grand Duchess Vladimir tiara, which is mounted with emeralds. She looks into the distance – is it to see what was, or what will be?

Certainly the latter, I feel, since Scotland is pushing for independence from the United Kingdom. That alone makes the image all the more poignant.

Below, a painting of the Queen that was done by William Hutchinson. She is swathed in the same emerald green robes and the magnificent tiara.

queenrobes-young-scotland(Queen Elizabeth II Wearing the Robes of the Order of the Thistle
by William Oliphant Hutchison)

Somehow, it does not capture the Queen in the way that the photo has captured her. The painting is warm, traditional, and safe. It is a young Elizabeth, adorned with chestnut brown hair and a serene look that has yet to see the challenges and highlights of sovereignty.

So what is it that makes the photograph so much… more? The answer is time. The passage of time is what makes the image more moving. With all that has passed, you see the Queen on a deeper level. She most likely does, too.

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May 22, 2013

Katie, Queen of Wags

Hilary Mantel was blasted for describing the Duchess of Cambridge as a “shop window mannequin”, so I can only imagine the backlash that writer Joan Smith will receive for calling Kate “Queen Wag”.

Kate engagement

Oh, hai.

Smith is an English novelist and human rights activist who once turned down an MBE because of her republican stance against the royal family. Smith is so annoyed with the Duchess of Cambridge that she has even devoted an entire chapter of her new book, The Public Woman, to a Duchess critique.

In the book, Smith says that “By the age of 30, the new Duchess had done little since leaving university except play a supporting role to her boyfriend, marry him with great pomp and ceremony and get pregnant.”

Smith bitingly describes Kate as “unambitious, uncontroversial and bland”, dubbing her Queen Wag – shorthand for “Wives And Girlfriends” who are usually the companions of football players. They are characterized by heavy makeup, lack of ambition other than being famous, and seem to live only for shopping and luxury. In other words, you couldn’t be more shallow if you tried. Ouch.


You can say Smith is accomplished, perhaps even ambitious. Like Hilary Mantel, she certainly can make a statement. Are her statements to be taken seriously? Some Kate fans may not think so and dismiss it all out of hand as mere jealousy. An older, republican-minded woman? Surely she cannot touch the golden duchess.

To me, you cannot dismiss these statements. However, the real upset comes when people who support the monarchy and who generally like Kate start to question her. I am one such person. As I said before, Kate is probably a nice person, but her distinct lack of work experience – but plenty of club and party experience – has given her a reputation. The Duchess must shine through all of this, rather than being just a hair and clothes girl. Especially when she is poised to become a future queen consort whose title will put her on par with educated and professional European Crown Princesses and queens. Palace, take note.

Kate, don’t let the Brits down!

What will people say to this? Will there be a series of personal attacks on Smith’s appearance, as with Mantel? What is your reaction?

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May 14, 2013

Other Royals Visit The USA!

To prove that Americans are not interested only in the British Royal Family, here’s some news: Prince Harry is not the only royal in the U.S. lately!

Do I need to fetch the smelling salts?

Their Majesties King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden have also been paying a visit to the states. They stopped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a brief to the American Swedish Historical Museum and some of our famous national monuments at the Independence National Historical Park.
The royal couple moved on to Delaware to celebrate the first Swedish settlement in the USA.

Their Norwegian cousins, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit have also been here, their journey taking them west to Texas and California.

Mette-Marit and her husband visited the Offshore Technology conference, toured the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in San Francisco, and the Crown Prince gave a talk at a seminar about tourism in San Francisco, hosted by Innovation Norway. Their visit has primarily focused on promoting Norwegian innovation.

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May 10, 2013

Do Americans Give European Royals The Brush Off?

Do Americans give European royals the brush off? Though King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were resplendent in their regal finery, and he being the first Dutch king in 123 years, America did not light up with interest.

CNN’s Erin Burnett discusses whether or not Americans pay much attention to anyone other than the Windsors.

Here’s what I think, and feel free to agree or disagree:

The British royals all speak English. That makes life easy for us. Unfortunately, we don’t typically have opportunities to learn other European languages other than basic French or Spanish in high school.

Plus, the coverage of the investiture was not widely reported in our media like it would be for the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, or Prince William. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are older and more businesslike. Many Americans are pulled only by glossy Hollywood-type royals, and the media plays into that. Queen Elizabeth II is an institution all her own, and people respect her. Otherwise, the public can’t be bothered with serious monarchy; there is only interest when something scandalous or fashionable happens.

Then there was the issue of time: only the most devoted Dutch-Americans and royal watchers were up for the ceremony. Timing for live impact was nearly impossible and really exhausting. The Netherlands is 6 hours ahead, and that’s just for the Eastern U.S.!


I believe that these are some of the reasons that the Dutch royals did not garner as much interest as the British would. Or is Erin Burnett right – is our “love affair” with royalty on the way out?

Do you agree or disagree? Your thoughts in the comments below!

Filed Under: Commentary, Events, Monarchies, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
April 30, 2013

An Emotional Dutch Tradition Continues

beatrix-willemAs the sun rose in the eastern United States, a certain blogger was stumbling awake to watch – and tweet about – the abdication of Queen Beatrix.

Though it was still dark for me, the sun was shining in the Netherlands today as people celebrated – and said goodbye to – their queen of 33 years. In turn, they lifted up her son and heir, now king. Willem-Alexander now takes the stage along with his wife, Maxima, and their three daughters.

It is a big deal for the Netherlands and royal watchers in general: Beatrix has been queen since 1980. She took the throne when her mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated in her favor. Juliana herself had taken the reins when her mother, Wilhelmina, abdicated in 1948.

So on that spring day of April 30th, 1980, the event was nothing new, but it wasn’t short of emotion. A proud Juliana passed the crown to her daughter, who accepted it with pride and gratitude. Beatrix’s eldest son, the young Willem-Alexander, watched as his mother was created queen and knew that someday the role of kingship would be his as well. But that was far into the future!


Beatrix promised her people that she would represent them to the best of her ability, and she did. She rejoiced with her countrymen over the good things, and cried with them over the tragedies. They celebrated “Queen’s Day” each year with a sea of orange hats, clothes, and facepaint. The public would also burst out in an array of orange sunshine for the weddings of Beatrix’s children and nephews.

The tide of orange turned to black when the Queen lost members of her family over the years, which included her father, mother, and her husband. In shock, the Queen mourned with the public over the loss of life and injuries sustained when a madman drove his car through a crowd celebrating Queen’s Day. The public and the monarch have been emotionally tied together for over 30 years, and it’s not easy to let go. Many people in the crowd today wiped eyes full of tears. It’s not as though the queen is going anywhere, really, but it is a symbolic end to a long, strong relationship between sovereign and people.

The reign of Queen Beatrix was full of many successful years. Today we say “thank you” and wish her well. Now it is time, in that Dutch tradition, for King Willem-Alexander to make his own memories in a reign full, we fervently hope, of many blessings.

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March 11, 2013

Kate’s Critics Get Blasted, But Are They Right?

English: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on h...

The Duchess of Cambridge, on her first royal tour, visiting Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kate has been criticized yet again. Girlfriend better get a tough skin, or at least prove her mettle to offset the complaints.

Author Hilary Mantel famously criticized Kate and the Royal family during a recent lecture. Now Sandi Toksvig, a radio host on BBC Radio 4, takes her turn.

“Kate Middleton is not enough for me,” she said, speaking to the Observer Magazine.

“We used to admire women who got their place in life through marriage and having children, but I like to think we’ve grown up a bit.

“I can’t think of a single opinion [the Duchess] holds – it’s very Jane Austen.” said Toksvig.

This follows Mantel’s remarks that Kate is a “shop-window mannequin, with no personality of her own, entirely defined by what she wore.” Mantel said that she does not regret her statements.

The mature people of the world immediately attacked their appearances with cruel remarks, because obviously beauty trumps reason! Why should these women be castigated for their comments, completely within the bounds of free speech and common sense? Did anyone actually stop to listen to the content of what they were saying?

Before you get the idea that I dislike Kate, I don’t. She is fairly unremarkable, however – at least for the moment.

I think what Mantel and Toksvig are saying is that we don’t know Kate, by the Duchess’ own design and the wishes of the Palace. We don’t really know what the Duchess is made of, we just see a work-shy young girl who married a prince, and is now known for smiling prettily and flipping her hair out of her face.

Kate needs to step forward and show herself. Then again, the Palace does not want another scene-hogging Diana, so a quieter person such as Kate is ideal for them. Case in point, neither Kate nor the Palace is doing her any favors by making her a blank slate.

Take note, Palace – until the caterpillar emerges from the chrysalis, the comments will continue.

royal-210x60

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