Princess Theodora, the youngest daughter of the former King and Queen of Greece, exchanged vows with the American lawyer Matthew Kumar in a stunning ceremony held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, last Saturday the 28th of September.Guests, including members of European royalty and the elite, gathered to witness a union filled with love and tradition.

The choice of date added a deeply sentimental touch, as Princess Theodora’s parents, the late King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, were married on the very same day in 1968, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the same church where Theodora’s ceremony took place.

Princess Theodora was gracefully accompanied down the aisle by her brother, Crown Prince Pavlos, adding a touching family moment to the ceremony. The entire Greek royal family was present to celebrate this special occasion, including Queen Anne-Marie, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Alexia with her family and Prince Philippos with his wife Princess Nina, all showing their unwavering support and love.

Princess Theodora has always exuded grace, charm, and warmth, qualities that shone brightly on her wedding day. Accompanied by her brother, Crown Prince Pavlos, and surrounded by her loving family, she was a vision of elegance and joy as she exchanged vows with Matthew, her soulmate and partner in life.

The historic setting, with its Byzantine splendor and rich architectural details, provided the perfect backdrop for this luxurious celebration.

The bride dazzled in an exquisite custom-made gown designed by the leading couture house of  Celia Kritharioti. The ivory gown featured intricate lace detailing that glided gracefully along the cathedral floor.

It was combined with the Khedive of Egypt tiara, or the Cartier Wreath Scroll Tiara, one of her most iconic jewels, once worn by her mother, Queen Anne-Marie and other members of the Danish and Swedish royal families—added a sentimental touch, representing the deep connection to her royal heritage.

Cartier Wreath Scroll Tiara, or the Khedive of Egypt tiara, was presented as a wedding gift from the Khedive of Egypt to Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, the grandmother of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and Queen Anne Marie of Greece.

Among the distinguished guests was Queen Sofia of Spain, sister of the late King Constantine II, underscoring the strong familial bonds across their royal families. The Queen Dona Sofia, who represented the Spanish Royal family, was accompanied by her two daughters, infantas Elena and Christina, with their children Irene, Miguel and Juan.

While the Danish Royal family was represented by Princess Benedikte and her family. Her daughter Alessandra with her husband and son.

The Princess is holding a very unique embroidered clutch, with her monogram, handmade by her sister, Queen Margrethe of Denmark.

The celebration of love and tradition was enriched by the presence of family, making the day an intimate and luxurious affair fit for a modern princess.

Princess Alexia of Greece with her family and her Husband Carlos Morales Quintana

Crown Princess Marie Chantal arrived with her four sons, Prince Constantine Alexios, Prince Achileas Andreas, Prince Odysseas Kimon and Prince Aristides Stavros.

Princess Olympia of Greece, with her cousin Arrietta Morales y de Grecia, as the Bridesmaids. Their gowns are by Celia Kritharioti as well.

Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece among her lovely family was the classiest ever in a new Louis Vuitton Topstitch Detailed Gathered Silk gown in light pink and Aquazzura Tequila clutch in silver.

Prince Filippos of Greece with his wife Princess Nina and her father.

Princess Nina was really classy and stylish as well, in a light blue Adam Lippes Pleated Drape slit-hem, Long sleeve, Silk Crepe maxi gown,

Hunting Season nyc (The square compact case) clutch in ivory Nappa and Manolo Blahnik 90 silver Grosgrain Pumps.

Hereditary Princess Ekaterina of Hanover in a dazzling Huishan Zhang Rein Gown sky blue Crepe

 and a Bottega Veneta clutch.

Alessandra de Osma (Princess Christian of Hanover) in Luisa Beccaria stripped lace dress (new) and Aquazzura micro bag in blue.

Queen Anna Maria of Greece, was more than splendid in her light blue gown, by Celia Kritharioti too and a handmade embroidered with her monogram micro bag, by her sister Queen Margrethe of Denmark.

The former Queen came with with her second son, Prince Nikolaos.

Surrounded by fragrant white roses and seasonal blooms, the décor was a testament to classical luxury, with hints of Grecian tradition woven into every detail.  The overall ambiance combined understated opulence with a warmth that made the royal wedding feel personal and inviting.

As they stood together in the same church where Princess Theodora’s parents were married 56 years ago, we were reminded of the power of love and tradition—two constants that bring meaning and beauty to our lives. The sentiment of carrying forward family history on this special day was touching, and the couple’s love story is a beautiful testament to the values of loyalty, devotion, and shared dreams.

The wedding of Princess Theodora in Athens was not just a royal event but a celebration of love, tradition, and elegance—true hallmarks of a classy and fabulous lifestyle. For those who appreciate luxury, sophistication, and the charm of royal romance, this wedding was the epitome of modern regal splendor.

As we reflect on this magical day, it’s a reminder that true luxury lies in the meaningful moments we create with those we cherish. Princess Theodora’s wedding was a perfect embodiment of grace, grandeur, and timeless romance, inspiring us all to add a touch of royal elegance to our own lives.

about the tiara:

On Princess Theodora’s wedding day, the tiara sparkled with an ethereal glow, perfectly complementing her elegant bridal look. Its floral motif symbolized new beginnings, while its storied past connected Princess Theodora to the generations of women who wore it before her. The tiara, paired with her classy gown, created an ensemble that was nothing short of a fairytale—fitting for a modern-day princess.

The Khedive of Egypt tiara was donated to Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, the grandmother of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, who tragically died while pregnant with her sixth child. When Prince Gustaf Adolf of Sweden married Princess Margaret of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, in 1905, after meeting on a trip to Egypt, the future Swedish Crown Princess received this Cartier Wreath Scroll Tiara as a wedding gift from the Khedive of Egypt, a fitting gift to honour the beginning of their romance. When Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden tragically passed away in 1920, she left the Khedive of Egypt Tiara to her only daughter, the future Queen Ingrid of Denmark.

However, Queen Ingrid frequently loaned the Khedive of Egypt Tiara to her cousin, Princess Margaretha of Sweden and Denmark, who wore it from 1957 to 1960 among numerous occasions.

In 1964, Princess Anne-Marie was the first of Queen Ingrid’s daughters to wear the Khedive of Egypt Tiara for her Wedding of King Constantine II of Greece, followed by Crown Princess Margrethe in 1967, and Wedding of Princess Benedikte in 1968, along with their grandmother’s Irish lace veil.

The Khedive of Egypt Tiara remained in Queen Ingrid’s possession for eighty years, throughout her years as Princess, Crown Princess, Queen, and Queen Mother, until her death in 2000.

After Queen Ingrid’s death, the Khedive of Egypt Tiara was inherited by her youngest daughter, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece.

It was a  splendid royal wedding, a day filled with family, elegance, and unforgettable moments.

We extend our warmest wishes to Princess Theodora and Mr. Matthew Kumar for a lifetime of happiness, health, and love. May their days be filled with laughter, their hearts with joy, and their journey together be one of adventure and endless blessings.

To the happy couple, may you always find comfort in each other’s arms, cherish each moment together, and continue to inspire us all with your grace and devotion. Congratulations on this new chapter, and may your love story be forever as classy and fabulous as the way you began it.

Cheers to a lifetime of love!

Na zisete…! (in Greek)

By Georgia Papadon and team

Photo credits to @Andreas_megos and @nikolaskominis

Big Thanks!

It was with great sorrow that we heard the news yesterday afternoon of the passing of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, born Prince of Greece and Denmark.. Yesterday the world lost a great man. Great-Britain lost a patriot, the Commonwealth lost a servent, the royal family lost its husband and father and Greece lost a great Prince.

Steadfast and loyal he served the Crown with selfless devotion and leaves behind an amazing legacy. He will be missed.

His Royal Highness passed away peacefully yesterday morning at Windsor Castle. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.

Philip was born into the Greek and Danish royal families. He was born in Mon Repos Palace in Corfu Greece, on 10 June 1921, the only son and fifth and final child of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

The newborn Prince Philip with his mother Princess Alice of Battenberg

A member of the House of Glücksburg, the ruling house of Denmark, he was a prince of both Greece and Denmark by virtue of his patrilineal descent from George I of Greece and Christian IX of Denmark, and he was from birth in the line of succession to both thrones.

Philip’s four elder sisters were Margarita, Theodora, Cecilie, and Sophie. He was baptised in the Greek Orthodox rite at St. George’s Church in the Old Fortress in Corfu.

Mon Repos , Corfu

Unfortunately  his family was exiled from the country when he was eighteen months old. After being educated in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, he joined the British Royal Navy in 1939, aged 18. From July 1939, he began corresponding with the thirteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth, whom he had first met in 1934. During the Second World War he served with distinction in the Mediterranean and Pacific Fleets.

After the war, Philip was granted permission by George VI to marry Elizabeth. Before the official announcement of their engagement in July 1947, he abandoned his Greek and Danish titles and styles, became a naturalised British subject, and adopted his maternal grandparents’ surname Mountbatten. He married Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. Just before the wedding, he was granted the style His Royal Highness and created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King George VI. Philip left active military service when Elizabeth became queen in 1952, having reached the rank of commander, and was made a British prince in 1957.

Philip had four children with Elizabeth: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Through a British Order in Council issued in 1960, descendants of the couple not bearing royal styles and titles can use the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, which has also been used by some members of the royal family who do hold titles, such as Anne, Andrew and Edward.

A sports enthusiast, Philip helped develop the equestrian event of carriage driving. He was a patron, president or member of over 780 organisations, and he served as chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a self-improvement program for young people aged 14 to 24.

He was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the longest-lived male member of the British royal family. He retired from his royal duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having completed 22,219 solo engagements and 5,493 speeches since 1952. Philip died on 9 April 2021, two months before his 100th birthday.

Pavlos, former Crown Prince of Greece,

for his uncle, Philip.

With deep sadness, but with the joy of reflecting upon a life lived through outstanding dedication and devotion to his country, family and, of course, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, my family and I remember HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Mon Repos, our home on the Island of Corfu, on 10th June 1921, the only son of Prince Andrew (Andreas) and Princess Alice of Greece.

Prince Philip seen here in a rare photo at the age of 10 in his birthplace of Corfu in Greece. He wears an Evzone uniform , the distinctive Greek national costume, that Greek boys usually wear during the Greek Independence Day, 25th of March.

Uncle Philip, as he was known to us, has been a very loved member of the extended Greek family and of course a strong connection for us to Britain where my brother Philippos was born and given his name by my parents. As I reflect on his life, I feel immensely proud of him: of his bravery in World War II and of the way he overcame the challenges of exile in his formative early life. He was by any conceivable standard, the most remarkable servant to the Sovereign and to the United Kingdom, his adopted country, and to the Commonwealth. He was armed with the determination, compassion, vision and steadfast loyalty which were at the core of his ability to support the Queen in their united stability amidst the shifting tides of the past century and beyond. At the coronation he swore to be his wife’s “liege man of life and limb”, which he carried out unfalteringly, unquestioningly.

Taken on the 25th of March 1965 two members of the Greek dynasty of Glücksburg, King Constantine II of Greece and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh review an honor guard of the Greek Royal Evzones Guard as the prince arrives at the Athens Airport for a brief visit as the guest of the Greek royal family. (AP Photo/Aristotle Saris, File)

He will be remembered by over 700 organisations as President or Patron and for the Duke of Edinburgh Award that since 1956 has had 8million young participants. He took great pleasure in his relationship with the Armed forces and the life of the men and women serving them.
Prince Philip did not like to dwell on things: he was a doer, with great vigour and energy. It has been said that the life of the dead is placed into the memory of the living and this will be compellingly true of the memories of our time spent with him – the hilarity, the stories, the seemingly limitless interests – will always be treasured.

Our thoughts and prayers are today with HM Queen Elizabeth II and her own family, for whom the sense of loss will be very hard to bear; and yet I know that the joy of reflecting upon his extraordinary life will be a source of immense comfort and pride.

by PAVLOS former Crown Prince of Greece

Prince Philip was the longest serving royal consort in British history, having been by the Queen’s side for more than 70 years. He was just months away from celebrating his 100th birthday in June.

British Vogue for the last Gentleman of Great Britain.

In a list of advice to young people published through his Duke of Edinburgh scheme last year, Prince Philip advised that we should “dress for ourselves and not others”.

What a style…!

His own taste leant towards the timeless, and relied heavily on British greats: Turnbull & Asser for shirts, ties, and pocket squares, and tailoring from his long-term collaborator John Kent, of Kent, Haste & Lachter. Throughout his decades in service, the Duke remained a meticulous dresser in every sense. “The Duke of Edinburgh had that understated, English gentleman style that is completely timeless, embodying all the divine traits of Savile Row,” says Manolo Blahnik. “Whether he was in a suit or in uniform, he looked impeccable.”

In fact, the Duke of Edinburgh’s style was always centred around a sense of appropriateness, and for more than 70 years he had to negotiate the hard compromise of dressing for both himself and for duty as the Queen’s consort. “When he stood very discreetly behind the Queen, he was always very formal, wearing beautiful shirts and ties that complemented his look,” says Edward Sexton, the Savile Row tailor who has made suits for everyone from John Lennon to Harry Styles. “He was there to complement what the Queen wore; it was about the colour of her dress and hat, so his hands were tied in certain respects, except when he was out at the weekend and could be very flamboyant.”

The initial details of Prince Philip’s funeral have been announced, including that it will take place on Saturday 17th April and be televised. The late royal “passed away peacefully” at Windsor Castle at the age of 99, the royal family confirmed yesterday.

Palace officials have confirmed that Philip will have a royal ceremonial funeral – rather than a grand State funeral – but that it will be a much more intimate affair than was originally planned; partly due to his personal wishes for it to be simple, but also due to Covid health and safety restrictions. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that they will stick to current pandemic guidelines, which only permits 30 guests. Members of the public have been asked not to attempt to attend.

Prince William has written a heartfelt tribute to Prince Philip, who died peacefully at Windsor Castle on Friday. He was 99 years old.

He described his “grandpa” as an “extraordinary man”, and praised his “infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour”.
The Duke of Cambridge shared a message via the official Kensington Royal social media accounts, accompanied by a sweet photograph of Prince Philip with William’s eldest child, Prince George.

“I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days,” he wrote. “I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!”

My heart goes out to Her Majesty the Queen who lost yesterday the love of her life after almost 74 years together.

They were an amazing couple…

Our deepest and sincere condolences to Her Majestry The Queen, the Royal family and the people of the United Kingdom.

By Georgia Papadon & team

Now the spotlight is on Princess Eugenie.

The Queen’s granddaughter married her long-term boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank, last Saturday, 13 October 2018,  at St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.  Eugenie walked down the aisle in front of 800 guests  and the ceremony was still broadcast to millions of viewers. And so, for her turn in front of the watching nation, the youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York chose Peter Pilotto.

Eugenie worked closely with Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, the duo behind the 2007-founded label, on the design. The London-based brand carried out extensive archive research into previous dresses worn by members of the royal family and finally settled on a corseted silhouette with full pleated skirt. The neckline that folds around the shoulders to a low back and flowing train was a specific request from Eugenie who had surgery at the age of 12 to correct scoliosis.

The couple wave to the crows from the Scottish State Coach.

Crowds gather outside St George’s chapel in anticipation of the arrival of the bride.

For her nuptials, Princess Eugenie wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara.

The Greville emerald Kokoshnik tiara, lent to Eugenie by the Queen, but made originally by Boucheron for Mrs Greville in 1919, and diamond and emerald drop earrings, which were a wedding gift from the groom, provided an elegant mix of old and new jewellery for her. Charlotte Olympia heels, meanwhile, acted as another nod to the country’s fashion talent.

The bride’s bouquet, created by Patrice Van Helden Oakes, consists of Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis pips, hints of baby blue thistles, white spray roses and trailing ivy.

Princess Eugenie is joined by her father the Duke of York, bridesmaids and pageboys as she walks down the aisle of St George’s Chapel.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

The couple say their vows. Princess Eugenie’s hair was styled by Sonny-Jo MacFarlane, with make-up by Hannah Martin, Bobbi Brown.

The gown also featured symbols that are personal to Eugenie and Brooksbank – a thistle to acknowledge the couple’s fondness for Balmoral, a shamrock as a nod to the bride’s roots, and a rose and ivy to represent the couple’s home.

The bridesmaids and pageboys wore Amaia Arrieta of Amaia Kids with the design incorporating the Mark Bradford artwork included in the Order of Service.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. For the occasion, the Duchess wore Alexander McQueen with a Philip Treacy hat and Prada velvet shoes.

The bride and groom depart the ceremony in the Scottish State Coach pulled by four Windsor Grey horses: Plymouth, Milford Haven, Tyrone and Storm.

source: British Vogue

Big Thanks !

The Glamorous Kate met the Chic Letizia, Queen of Spain last night at Buckingham Palace at  a State Banquet in honor of the King and the Queen of Spain.
Queen Letizia look amazing on her red gown with her fleur de keys Tiara but The Duchess of Cambridge was stunning as always in her Marchesa gown and the Lover’s Knot tiara, the favourite tiara of her mother’s in law,  Princess Diana.

Last night’s looks, worn for the state banquet in honour of Spain’s king and queen, couldn’t have been more different.

and the Duchess of Cambridge, the Lover’s Knot tiara, a diamond and pearl design, which was once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Legendary Cambridge Lover’s Knot  tiara , was commissioned from Garrard in 1913/1914 by everyone’s favorite magpie, Queen Mary. She modeled it off of a tiara owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, the Duchess of Cambridge. It wasn’t a unique design to begin with; several others exist that are quite similar. The piece passed from Princess Augusta to her daughter (also named Augusta), who became Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Swinging pearls hang from 19 diamond arches capped with lover’s knots in this tiara. The piece was composed of existing jewels Queen Mary had in her collection: the dismantled Some Ladies of England Tiara plus the original pearl uprights from the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara and pearls off of a couple brooches belonging to Mary which were ultimately returned. Originally, the design included upright pearls on top of the arches, but Mary had them removed eventually.

Tiara: Cambridge Lovers Knot Tiara;
Necklace: Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau;
Earrings: Diamond and Pearl Earrings

The Queen loaned the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara to Diana, Princess of Wales as a wedding present in 1981. Kate first wore it at the 2015 Diplomatic Reception.
The diamond and pearl earrings the Duchess wore were a wedding gift from Collingwood Jewellers to Diana and they are part of Diana’s private collection.
The Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace was one of the Queen’s wedding gifts from her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth; the Queen has not worn the piece since the early 1980s

But, while the Duchess’s regalia stopped at a diamond and ruby necklace, which once belonged to the Queen Mother, Queen Letizia attached a traditional blue-and-white sash to her gown, complete with badges of honour.

As the Duchess let her guest take centre stage in a heavily-beaded, off-the-shoulder burgundy gown by Spanish brand Loewe, she showcased one of her most transformative formal looks to date.

Her plunging Marchesa gown in muted, scalloped guipure lace and tulle was a departure from the conservative necklines she usually favours for evening events, and all the more striking thanks to the ruby boucheron bandeau that trailed down her décolletage.

The Duchess, and stylist Natasha Archer, instigated a relationship with the brand earlier this year, when she wore a full-skirted red Marchesa Notte (the brand’s concession line) to London’s opening night of 42nd Street. Last night’s custom-made design aligned with the brand’s bridal looks, for which they are highly regarded.

As the Duchess took the opportunity to add a new designer to her catalogue of trusted formalwear brands, Queen Letizia played the diplomatic card in Loewe, which is currently headed up by Ireland’s award-winning J.W. Anderson. If the banquet was a sign of the Duchess throwing out the rulebook and instigating a healthy dose of competitive state dressing, it will be interesting to see how the royal visit unfolds for the final two days. Bring it on.

source : British Vogue

Big Thanks !

The late Diana, Princess of Wales was born The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 in Norfolk. She received the style Lady Diana Spencer in 1975, when her father inherited his Earldom.

Today marks what would have been Princess Diana’s 56th birthday. The late royal will always be remembered for her grace, her charm, and her beauty, though her style remains a significant part of her legacy.

The world will never forget images of Diana in her David Emanuel wedding dress, encrusted with 10,000 tiny mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls, with a train spanning 25 feet—the longest in royal history. More than 17 million people tuned in to watch her wed Prince Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1981. But it wasn’t long before the new bride, the one previously found in prim blouses and pastel ruffles, transformed into the sleek, sophisticated woman the world thinks of today.

There were specific outfits for trips abroad, each fashioned to pay homage to the host nation. When she traveled to Saudi Arabia in 1986, she chose a dress decorated with gold falcons—an emblem of the Middle Eastern nation. But for all this pomp and circumstance, a look back at Diana off-duty reveals a new aspect of her style—and it’s as relatable and wearable now as it was the first time around.

Her Whole life was her two sons, she was shining like a sparkling diamond when she was with them…

She wears a double-breasted black and white banded nautical-style silk cocktail suit by Catherine Walker with a square neckline, a double row of pearl and diamanté buttons and long sleeves with white cuffs.

The Princess’s first official visit overseas on her own was in September 1982, when she represented The Queen at the State funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco.

The Princess’s first solo overseas tour was in February 1984, when she travelled to Norway to attend a performance of Carmen by the London City Ballet, of which she was Patron.

The Princess subsequently visited many countries including Germany, the United States, Pakistan, Switzerland, Hungary, Egypt, Belgium, France, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nepal.

October 31, 1996: Diana, Princess of Wales at a Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute fundraising dinner in Sydney, Australia.

Princess Diana in Spain with little Prince Harry.

Diana selected her engagement ring from a catalog…

December 11, 1995: Princess Diana at the 41st annual United Cerebral Palsy Awards gala in New York City.

Diana Princess of Wales August 1996 . This is one of the dresses which was  auctioned in New York.

Princess Diana  arrives at the Serpentine Gallery, London, June 1995. She is wearing a grey, beaded, halter-neck dress by Catherine Walker.

June 23, 1997: Diana, Princess of Wales at Christies Auction In New York City for the sale of her 79 dresses.

She auctioned 79 of Her dresses, raising $5,76 milllion for Aids and Breast cancer Charities.

Christie’s New York held the auction just two months before Princess Diana’s death.

Diana, Princess Of Wales At The Christie’s Pre-auction Party For The Launch Of The Auction Of Dresses. She Is Wearing A Dress By Fashion Designer Catherine Walker.

June 3, 1997: Diana Princess of Wales at the English National Ballet production of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall.

Her favorite Color was Pink.

Just some days before her tragic death… in Portofino, Italy, in August 1997.

And who could forget that velvet LBD she wore in 1994?

Just as a documentary about her husband’s infidelities aired, a lithe and leggy Diana floated into a Serpentine Gallery benefit wearing a body-conscious cocktail dress by Christina Stambolian. The next day, tabloid front pages were devoted not to Charles’s televised confession, but to photos of a confident and chic Diana.

In honor of icon’s everlasting style here vogue’s today proposal :

Sophie Buhai Vienna collar necklace, $2,500, modaoperandi.com; Ippolita Glamazon sterling silver elongated teardrop earrings, $395, orchardmile.com; The Row Delmi off-the-shoulder stretch-jersey midi dress, $590, net-a-porter.com; Wolford matte transparent tights, $27, selfridges.com; Roberto Coin Pois Moi diamond, black sapphire, and 18k white gold single-row bracelet, price upon request, saksfifthavenue.com; The Row mini wristlet silk satin clutch, $1,060, mytheresa.com; Gianvito Rossi tuxedo satin-trimmed velvet pumps, $950, net-a-porter.comPhoto: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of orchardmile.com; Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue; Courtesy of modaoperandi.com; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of Selfridges & Co; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of mytheresa.com

Inspiration & sourse : Vogue

Big Thanks !

The Princess spent her 36th and last birthday on 1 July 1997 attending the Tate Gallery’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Her last official engagement in Britain was on 21 July, when she visited Northwick Park Hospital, London (children’s accident and emergency unit).

Classy women of all ages are still Fascinated by Her Fashion Today. She was an Icon and she will be alive in our hearts forever…!

Enjoy…!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have tea with the queen? If you answered “yes,” you’re about to get one small step closer to realizing your dream.

Next month, the Royal Collection Trust is publishing the palace’s first-ever official teatime cookbook, Royal Teas: Seasonal Recipes from Buckingham Palace. The book is written by Royal Chef Mark Flanagan, who has been serving traditional tea services at the queen’s residence for more than a decade.

And as the follow-up to his earlier tome, A Royal Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes from Buckingham Palace, it certainly does not disappoint.

Photo: Courtesy Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017

Below, three excerpted recipes that Her Majesty herself might have enjoyed. From Drop Scones (a known favorite) to Victoria Sponge (named after Queen Victoria), you’ll be dining in high style in no time.

Victoria Sponge

Another wonderful way to show off homemade jam. Queen Victoria is known to have had a sweet tooth, and this light but delicious cake was named in her honor.

Ingredients

For the Victoria sponge
3 free-range eggs
150 g (3/4 cup) unrefined castor sugar
150 g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
150 g (1 1/4 cups) self-rising flour, sieved
1/2 tsp. of vanilla essence

For the vanilla buttercream
150 g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, softened
220 g (1 3/4 cups) icing sugar, sieved
1/3 split vanilla pod

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Equipment
Two 20-cm or 8-inch Victoria sponge cake tins

 

To make the Victoria sponge

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit, gas mark 4).

2. Prepare the cake tins by greasing with butter and lining the bottom with a circular piece of baking paper. Leave to one side until required.

3. Cream together the castor sugar, vanilla essence, and softened butter in a bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten eggs, a little at a time to avoid the mixture curdling. Finally, fold in the sieved flour until all the ingredients are perfectly combined.

4. Divide the cake mix evenly between the two prepared cake tins and carefully smooth the mix to create two level layers. Place on the middle shelf of the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the cake appears golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before turning the cakes out on a wire rack.

To make the buttercream
Cream the softened butter with the sieved icing sugar and the seeds from the split vanilla pod. The buttercream will become pale and fluffy with little flecks of vanilla seeds throughout.

To assemble the Victoria sponge

1. Once the cakes have completely cooled, carefully and evenly spread a layer of buttercream on top of the first cake. Next add a thick layer of your homemade jam, before carefully placing the second cake on top of the jam and very gently pressing down. Finally, dust the top of the cake with icing sugar.

2. Serve with a pot of tea!

   Her Majesty’s Recipe for Drop Scones, c. 1960

   

   Photo: Courtesy Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017

   This type of small pancake, dropped on a hot griddle to cook, has a place in almost every cuisine in the world. The drop scone, or Scotch pancake, is very similar to American breakfast pancakes and can be eaten with melted butter, spread with jam, or served with maple syrup—all are equally good!

   Ingredients
   1 free-range egg
   2 T unrefined castor sugar
   1 tsp. unsalted butter, melted
   250 ml (1 cup) full-fat milk
   1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda
   240 g (1 7/8 cups) plain flour
   2.5 tsp. baking powder
   1.5 tsp. cream of tartar (in the U.S., you can substitute baking powder for both this and the bicarbonate of soda)
   100 g (1/2 cup) clarified unsalted butter

   Equipment
   Pancake griddle or non-stick frying pan

   Instructions

   1. In a mixing bowl, sieve together the dry ingredients: flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar, and sugar. Add to this the milk and egg and whisk to a smooth batter, finally adding the warm melted butter. Pass through a sieve to get rid of any lumps and, if necessary, thin with more milk. The batter should have a dropping consistency but remain thick enough to retain its shape on the griddle.

   2. Heat the griddle (or frying pan) over a medium heat and grease with clarified butter. Using a dessert spoon or small ladle, carefully pour spoonfuls of the batter on the griddle. After one side has cooked, flip the scones with a palette knife to cook the other. Once you feel more confident you can cook a few scones at a time, being careful not to let them overcook on either side.

   3. Serve warm with butter and homemade preserves.

      Carrot Cake

      

       

       Photo: Courtesy Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017

      This is a dark, spicy cake, deliciously moist and very moreish.

      Ingredients
      2 small free-range eggs
      105 g (1/2 cup) dark brown sugar
      105 g (1/2 cup) soft brown sugar
      150 g (1 1/8 cups) wholemeal flour
      1/4 tsp. salt
      1/2 tsp. bicarbonate of soda
      1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
      1 tsp. ground cinnamon
      35 g (1/8 cup) sour cream
      105 g (3/8 cup) sunflower oil
      180 g (3 cups) carrots, grated
      45 g (1/2 cup) desiccated coconut

      For the cream cheese topping
      110 g (1/2 cup) full-fat soft cream cheese
      50 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
      50 g (1/3 cup) icing sugar
      Juice of 1/2 lemon

      Equipment
      18-cm or 7-inch cake tin

      Instructions

      1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius (325 degrees Fahrenheit, gas mark 3).

      2. Prepare the cake tin by greasing with butter and lining the bottom and sides with baking paper. Place the lined tin on a flat, heavy-duty baking tray and leave to one side until required.

      3. Whisk together the eggs, sugars, and sunflower oil in a bowl until thoroughly mixed. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda, and spices. Fold the dry ingredients into the egg mix until all ingredients are combined evenly. Finally, fold in the grated carrots and sour cream.

      4. Pour the carrot cake mix into the lined cake tin. Place on the middle shelf of the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack.

      For the cream cheese topping
      Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the softened butter. Beat well until light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and continue beating until a smooth consistency is achieved. Finally, slowly add the lemon juice whilst still mixing.

      To assemble the carrot cake
      Once completely cool, remove the carrot cake from the cake tin and place on your desired serving plate or cake stand. Using a palette knife, carefully smooth the cream cheese topping evenly across the top of the cake.

      Excerpt courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2017

source : Vogue

http://www.vogue.com

Photos: Courtesy Royal Collection Trust/ © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017

Big Thanks !

It was only six years ago that Kate Middleton walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, sporting an Alexander McQueen bridal dress designed by Sarah Burton. She chose to wear another custom look from the British fashion house again yesterday for her sister Pippa’s wedding to hedge fund manager James Matthews at St. Mark’s church, in Englefield, Berkshire.

The Duchess of Cambridge has worn her royal title with subdued and sophisticated style, and her latest look was an elegant example.

The blush pink dress featured several design elements that have quickly become Middleton signatures, including the peplum at the hip—tailored yet soft—and the figure-flattering drapey pleat work.

The subtle leg-of-mutton shoulder treatment and tight cuffs were a modern take on Elizabethan style and made for a nice finish.

And of course it wouldn’t be a British society wedding without the appropriate hat, and Middleton’s was reminiscent of an English rose in full bloom. Quite the crowning glory, indeed.

It had been designed with military precision, with several heirs to the throne on the guest list, the cream of high society in attendance and a picture perfect English country setting.

Add a stroke of luck with sunny weather, a brood of adorable bridesmaids and page boys, and a kiss for the camera, and Pippa Middleton and James Matthews’s wedding went off as smoothly as could be.

The bride, wearing a Giles Deacon gown, beamed to the waiting world on the arm of her new husband, with a troupe of eight excitable youngsters stealing the show under the watchful eye of a discreet Duchess of Cambridge.

The Duchess, who eschewed a formal role herself, marshalled her children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and their six companions in front of the world’s cameras, shushing the noisiest and laughing as they larked about on the church steps.

The Duchess of Cambridge with her little angel, Princess Charlotte.

Princess Charlotte is just Adorable…!

At one point Prince George seemed overexcited to the verge of tears before being firmly settled by his mother.

Guests included the Duke of Cambridge, Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry, who attended the church ceremony without his girlfriend Meghan Markle after much speculation that she would accompany him. Miss Markle, who is in London, is thought to have attended the private evening reception instead, although she avoided cameras.

Carole Middleton in Catherine Walker pink coat, walked with her son, James.

David and Jane Matthews , the groom’s parents, walked together. Jane Matthews was the epitome of sophistication in a turquoise dress and hat.

Prince George was really cute as always in his Pepa & Co page boy outfit, completed with gold knickerbockers.

Donna Air, the girlfriend of James Middletton, in Emilia Wickstead .

Joining Prince George as page boy were Casimir Tatos, Pippa’s godson and the son of Ari and Marie-Sophie Tatos, Edward Sebire, the son of one of James Matthews’s friends and business associates, and William Ward.

Bridesmaids were Princess Charlotte, Pippa’s goddaughter Countess Philippa Hoyos, Lily French, and Avia Horner, daughter of James’ colleague financier Edward Horner and Lady Emily Compton.

 

As the ceremony neared, two vintage Jaguar Mk IV cars pulled up to cheers, with the Duchess of Cambridge and the eight youngest members of the party inside.

The Rev Nick Wynne-Jones, who is the church’s resident priest, officiated. The couple’s hymns included Be Thou My Vision, Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken and I Vow To Thee, My Country.

The readings included Love Is An Adventure by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, read by Pippa’s brother James while Spencer Matthews read a passage from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

After the ceremony, which lasted nearly an hour, the new Mr and Mrs Matthews emerged as bells rang out just before 12.30pm.

Kate continued her role as big sister and marshalled the young bridesmaids and page boys into the classic cars that had brought them to the church as guests filed out and walked to nearby Englefield House.

At Englefield House guests heard speeches and saw the cutting of the wedding cake. After toasts, Mr Matthews drove his new wife into the sunset – or at least to their reception – in an E-type Jaguar convertible, waving as well-wishers cheered from the side of the road.

Who is James Matthews

In Brief

James is 41 years old, he attended Uppingham School and Co-founder and chief executive of structured finance Eden Rock Capital Management Group, based in Mayfair. He’s also a former racing driver.

Hobbies: Marathon running. In 2008 he ran the 156-mile Marathon des Sables through the Sahara

Famous family: His parents David Matthews and Jane Parker own the five-star Eden Rock Caribbean hotel in St Barths. His younger brother is reality TV star Spencer Matthews, who shot to fame on reality TV show Made in Chelsea.

Pippa Middletton was a Stunning Bride and of course she will be a great inspiration for the upcoming summer brides in England and generally…

We wish them to have a Happy Life , full of Love , Appreciation, Tenderness and mutual Respect.

All the Best for Pippa & James Matthews…!

main source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news

Big Thanks !

Starting her life in the spotlight as a preppy student, her look quickly evolved as her status soared and the ‘Kate effect’ became quickly apparent; who could forget the royal blue Issa dress she wore to announce her engagement, that subsequently sold out within hours, or the flurry of Reiss dresses that kept sparking sales surges?

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Catherine Elizabeth “Kate”; née Middleton) born 9 January 1982 and she is the most brilliant future Queen of England.

The Duchess in Her fabulous Issa dress  blue dress during the announcement of Her Engagement.

The Duchess grew up in Chapel Row, a village near Newbury, Berkshire, England. She studied art history in Scotland at the University of St Andrews, where she met William in 2001. Their engagement was announced on 16 November 2010 before they married on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born at Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on 9 January 1982 to an upper-middle-class family. She was christened at St Andrew’s Bradfield, Berkshire, on 20 June 1982. 

Kate in Burberry trench coat.

She is the eldest of three children born to Michael Middleton and his wife, Carole (née Goldsmith), a former flight dispatcher and flight attendant, respectively, who in 1987 founded Party Pieces, a mail order private company that sells party supplies and decorations with an estimated worth of £30 million.

The family of her father Michael has ties to British aristocracy and benefitted financially from trust funds which they had established over 100 years ago.

Her Middleton relatives were reported as having played host to British royalty “as long ago as 1926”.  She has a younger sister, Philippa “Pippa”, and a younger brother, James.

She loves Alexander McQueen… and this Champagne lace dress is one of Her Best…!

Michael Middleton worked for British Airways (BA), in Amman, Jordan, from May 1984 to September 1986. In Jordan, Catherine Middleton went to an English-language nursery school before returning to their home in Berkshire.

Another amazing coat by L.K Bennett, one of Her favourite English brands.

Following her return from Amman in 1986, Middleton was enrolled at the age of four at St Andrew’s School, a private school near the village of Pangbourne in Berkshire. She boarded part-weekly at St Andrew’s in her later years.  She then studied briefly at Downe House .

She was a boarder at Marlborough College, a co-educational independent boarding school in Wiltshire,  and graduated in 2005 from the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, with an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in the history of art.

In November 2006, Middleton accepted a position as an accessory buyer with the clothing chain Jigsaw,  where she worked part-time until November 2007.

She also worked until January 2011 at Party Pieces; her role within the family business included catalogue design and production, marketing and photography.

In 2001, Middleton met Prince William while they were both students in residence at St Salvator’s Hall at the University of St Andrews.

Kate in one of Her most stylish coats, by  Alexander McQueen

The couple began dating in 2003, although their relationship remained unconfirmed. On 17 October 2005, Middleton complained through her lawyer about harassment from the media, stating that she had done nothing significant to warrant publicity.

In April 2007, Prince William and Middleton split up. The couple decided to break up during a holiday in the Swiss resort of Zermatt. Newspapers speculated about the reasons for the split, although these reports relied on anonymous sources.

Prince William and Catherine Middleton became engaged in October 2010, in Kenya, during a 10-day trip to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to celebrate Prince William’s passing his RAF helicopter search and rescue course.

Clarence House announced the engagement on 16 November 2010.  Prince William gave Middleton the engagement ring that had belonged to his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The couple married in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011 (St. Catherine’s Day), with the day declared a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Estimates of the global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million or more, whilst 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone.

On 3 December 2012, St James’s Palace announced that the Duchess was pregnant with her first child.

The Duchess was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital in London in the early stages of labour on the morning of 22 July 2013 and gave birth to a son later that day. On 24 July 2013, Kensington Palace announced the baby’s name as George Alexander Louis.

The Duchess’s second pregnancy was announced on 8 September 2014. On 2 May 2015, the Duchess gave birth to a daughter. The baby’s name was announced on 4 May 2015 as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

In March 2011, the Duke and Duchess set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers who want to give them a wedding gift to donate money to charities they care about instead.

The gift fund supported 26 charities of the couple’s choice, incorporating the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation. These causes are close to their hearts and reflect the experiences, passions and values of their lives so far.

The Duchess has a number of patronages: The Art Room, National Portrait Gallery, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, Action on Addiction, Place2Be, Natural History Museum, Anna Freud Centre, Sportsaid, and The 1851 Trust. The Duchess is joint Patron of 100 Women in Hedge Fund’s Philanthropic Initiatives, along with Prince William and Prince Harry.

In New Zealand , in a perfect Sky Blue Alexander McQueen coat again.

She is also a local volunteer leader with the Scout Association in north Wales.  In October 2012, the Duchess gave her royal backing to the M-PACT programme (Moving Parents and Children Together), one of the only UK programmes to focus specifically on the impact of drug addiction on families as a whole.

Her perceived impact on British and American fashion has been called the “Kate Middleton effect” in the media,  and in 2012 and 2013, She was selected as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine.

The beautiful Duchess became prominent for her fashion style and has been placed on numerous “best dressed” lists. She was selected by The Daily Telegraph as the “Most Promising Newcomer” in its 2006 list of style winners and losers.

Another fabulous lace dress by Temperley London.

 Tatler placed her at number 8 on its yearly listing of the top ten style icons in 2007. She was featured in People magazine’s 2007 and 2010 best-dressed lists. Kate was named as one of Richard Blackwell‘s ten “Fabulous Fashion Independents” of 2007.

Her outfit is by Alexander McQueen too.

In June 2008, Style.com selected Kate Middleton as their monthly beauty icon.  In July 2008, She was included in Vanity Fair‘s international best-dressed list.

Kate in Dolce & Gabbana

In February 2011, She was named the Top Fashion Buzzword of the 2011 season by the Global Language Monitor. In January 2012, Kate was voted ‘Headwear Person of the Year.

Kate Middleton was number one on Vanity Fair’s annual Best Dressed lists in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; She also appeared as the cover star in 2012. In June 2016, She took part in her first magazine shoot for Vogue‘s centenary issue appearing on the cover of the magazine.

Christmas morning 2016 with Princess Charlotte.

She is an Amazing and Inspiring Woman. She is Beautiful and Cultivated  but the most important her pure and sencere smile reflects her inner Beauty.

We wish Her Majestry All the Best and we are looking forward to see Her as the Future Queen of England.

The Duchess recorded the message in her role as patron of the children’s mental health charity Place2Be. In the video, released by the charity, Catherine sits at a table with four young pupils who have been helped by Place2Be, discussing their experience with the charity, as she also speaks of the situation faced by young people today.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge talks to young schoolchildren about Place2Be in her video message for children’s mental health week. Place2Be

She explains that many issues in adulthood stem from unresolved problems experienced as a child:

“Many of us are incredibly fortunate that the issues we face in childhood are ones we can cope with and learn from. But for some children, learning to cope with life’s challenges can be a struggle.

“While we cannot always change a child’s circumstances, we can give them the tools to cope, and to thrive. With early support they can learn to manage their emotions and know when to seek help.”

Kate, mother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte, has campaigned for early intervention since taking on patronages related to addiction and family breakdown, realising these are two root causes for such issues. This year’s focus centres upon the importance of building resilience during childhood, and having ability to cope with life’s stressful situations.

Statistics show that one in 10 children aged five to 16 suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder, and 72% of children in care have behavioural or emotional problems, while 95% of young offenders have a mental health disorder.

In her video message for children’s mental health week, Kate discusses her work with addiction and mental health. Place2Be.

“By ensuring every child is given the emotional support they need, we are giving them a firm foundation for the happy healthy future they deserve,” Kate said.

Place2Be trains teachers and works in more than 250 schools with vulnerable children. Art is often used as a way to express feelings. The youngsters in the video have been helped by the charity.

Ryan, aged 10, told the Duchess: “Place2Be has helped me a lot. If it wasn’t in the school I don’t think I’d be able to cope as much.”

“Every child deserves to grow up feeling confident that they won’t fall at the first hurdle – that they cope with life’s setbacks,” Catherine said.

“This resilience, our ability to deal with stressful situations,  is something we begin to learn in childhood, as we respond to each challenge and problem life presents.”

“Through my work in areas like addiction, I have seen time and again that the roots of poor mental health in adulthood frequently stem rom unresolved childhood issues. This needs to change,” the Duchess pleaded.

“William and I feel that every child deserves to be supported through difficult times in their lives.”

Via

http://www.thecrownchronicles.co.uk/

Big Thanks !

Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat, R.E. (née Mary Elizabeth Donaldson; born 5 February 1972 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) is the wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark. Frederik is the heir apparent to the throne of Denmark, which means that at the time Frederik inherits the throne, Mary will automatically become  Queen consort of Denmark.

The couple met at the Slip Inn, a pub in Sydney, when the prince was visiting Australia during the 2000 Summer Olympics. Their official engagement in 2003 and their marriage the following year were the subject of extensive attention from Australian and European news media, which portrayed the marriage as a modern “fairytale” romance between a prince and a commoner.

Mary Elizabeth Donaldson was born the youngest of four children of mathematics professor  Dr. John Dalgleish Donaldson  and his first wife, Henrietta (née Horne), both Scottish.  She was named after her grandmothers, Mary Dalgleish and Elizabeth Gibson Melrose. Henrietta Donaldson was executive assistant to the vice-chancellor of the University of Tasmania. In 2001, four years after her death, John Donaldson married the British author and novelist Susan Horwood.

Donaldson was born and raised in Hobart. During her childhood, she was involved in sports and other extracurricular activities both at school and elsewhere. She studied piano, flute and clarinet, and played basketball and hockey.

In 1974, Donaldson started schooling in Clear Lake City Elementary School in Houston, Texas (where her father was working) and moved to Sandy Bay from 1975 to 1977. Her primary education, from 1978 to 1987, was at Waimea Heights with her secondary schooling being at Taroona High School (1988-1992), and at Hobart Matriculation College.

Donaldson studied at the University of Tasmania from 1989 to 1994,  completing a combined degree in commerce and law and graduating on 27 May 1995. Between 1994 and 1996, she attended a graduate program and qualified with certificates in advertising from the Advertising Federation of Australia (AFA) and direct marketing from the Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA).

While studying in Tasmania, Donaldson reportedly had a joint business interest in a company called Kingcash, with Brent Annells, with whom she had a seven-year relationship in the 1990s. 

She worked for Australian and global advertising agencies after graduating in 1995. Upon graduation Mary moved to Melbourne to work in advertising. She became a trainee in marketing and communications with the Melbourne office of DDB Needham, taking a position of account executive.

In 1996, Mary was employed by Mojo Partners as an account manager. In 1998, six months after her mother’s death, she resigned and travelled to America and Europe. In Edinburgh, she worked for three months as an account manager with Rapp Collins Worldwide; then, in early 1999, she was appointed as an account director with the international advertising agency Young & Rubicam in Sydney.

In June 2000, she moved to a smaller Australian agency, Love Branding, working for a short time as the company’s first account director. However, in the (Australian) spring of 2000 until December 2001, she became sales director and a member of the management team of Belle Property, a real estate firm specialising in luxury property.

In the first half of 2002 Mary taught English at a business school in Paris but, on moving to Denmark permanently, she was employed by Microsoft Business Solutions (5 September 2002 – 24 September 2003) near Copenhagen as a project consultant for business development, communications and marketing.

Mary Donaldson met Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the Slip Inn  during the 2000 Summer Olympics on 16 September in Sydney. He was not identified by her friends as the Crown Prince of Denmark until after they met. They conducted a long-distance relationship by phone, email and letter and Frederik made a number of discreet visits to Australia.

On 15 November 2001 the Danish weekly magazine Billed Bladet named Mary as Frederik’s girlfriend. She then moved from Australia to Denmark in December 2001, while she was working as an English tutor in Paris. On 24 September 2003 the Danish court announced that Queen Margrethe II  intended to give her consent to the marriage at the State Council meeting scheduled for 8 October 2003.

Frederik presented Mary with an engagement ring featuring an emerald-cut diamond and two emerald-cut ruby baguettes, which are similar to the colour of Denmark’s flag.  The couple became officially engaged on 8 October 2003.

Mary Donaldson and Crown Prince Frederik married on 14 May 2004 in Copenhagen Cathedral, in Copenhagen. Mary wore a wedding gown designed by Danish designer Uffe Frank and had a small bridal party.

The wedding  was celebrated in Copenhagen and at Fredensborg Palace. The couple reportedly spent their honeymoon in Africa. 

The Danish Folketing (parliament) passed a special law (Mary’s Law)  giving Mary Donaldson Danish citizenship upon her marriage, a standard procedure for new foreign members of the royal family; she was previously a dual citizen of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Formerly a Presbyterian, Mary converted to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark upon marriage. Shortly before entering the royal family, Mary signed a marriage agreement similar to those of her father-in-law and her former sister-in-law. The agreement was subsequently updated in late 2006. The details of these have never been made public, but it can be assumed that they concern financial matters, royal status and custodial rights to the children in the event of a divorce.

The Crown Princess and her family currently reside at Frederik VIII’s Palace, one of the four palaces that make up the Amalienborg Palace complex. From May 2004 they have also resided at The Chancellery House, a building in the park at Fredensborg Palace.

Mary is an active patron of Denmark’s third-highest-earning export industry, the fashion industry and is Patron of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit.

She has been named one of the world’s most fashionable people in Vanity Fair’s annual International Best-Dressed List and has posed and given interviews for magazines including Vogue Australia (where she used pieces of foreign designers, such as Hugo Boss, Prada, Louis Vuitton or Gaultier, and Danish designers, as Malene Birger and Georg Jensen), Dansk (Danish Magazine, dedicated to Danish fashion), German Vogue (where she was photographed between pieces of Danish modern art in Amalienborg Palace). 

Mary also posed for other magazines during her life as a royal, such as Women’s Weekly Australia magazine (to which she spoke in several occasions about her life as a royal and her family) and Parade Magazine.

Her elegance was praised by designer Tommy Hilfiger.

Since 2004 Crown Princess Mary has steadily worked to establish her relationships with various organisations, their issues, missions, programmes and staff. Mary’s patronages range across areas of culture, the fashion industry, humanitarian aid, support for research and science, social and health patronages and sport (golf and swimming).

The organisations for which she is patron have reported positive outcomes through their relationship with Mary and there are various reports in the Danish media and on some of the websites of the organisations themselves about Mary being quite involved in her working relationship with them.

Mary is currently involved in supporting anti-obesity programs through the World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe.

Mary’s current patronages include cultural organisations,  the Danish fashion industry humanitarian aid,  research and science, social, health and humanitarian organisations  and sporting organisations.

Crown Princess Mary is also an Honorary Life Governor of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute based at the Garvan Institute/St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, a member of the International Committee of Women Leaders for Mental Health and a member of various sporting clubs (riding, golf and yachting).

In June 2010, it was announced that Crown Princess Mary has become Patron of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, “to support the agency’s work to promote maternal health and safer motherhood in more than 150 developing nations”. 

Mary lends her support to a number of other ‘one-off’ Danish causes, industry events and international conferences. In 2011, the Westmead Cancer Centre at Westmead Hospital in Sydney was renamed the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Care Centre Westmead.

On 11 September 2007 Crown Princess Mary announced the establishment of the Mary Foundation at the inaugural meeting at Amalienborg Palace. The initial funds of DKK 1.1 million were collected in Denmark and Greenland and donated to Frederik and Mary as a wedding gift in 2004. Crown Princess Mary is the chairwoman of eight trustees. The Mary Foundation aims to improve lives compromised by environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances which can isolate or exclude people socially. In 2014, Mary received a Bambi Award.

Her official title in Danish is Hendes Kongelige Højhed Kronprinsesse Mary af Danmark, Grevinde af Monpezat.

Mary has been Crown Princess of Denmark since her marriage and also Countess of Monpezat by marriage since 29 April 2008, when Queen Margrethe II granted the title to her male-line descendants. She also holds the rank of lieutenant in the Home Guard.

She is really inspiring and lovely…!

We wish Her all the Best !

Georgia Papadon & team