Royal Fashion Minute: Wedding of Zara Phillips and English Rugby Player Mike Tindall

A (Somewhat) Subdued Royal Wedding:

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wed in Edinburgh Scotland

Yesterday afternoon, the nuptials of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall took place at Canongate Kirk in the Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Scotland. Zara happens to be the only daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. She's thirteenth in the line of succession--to the British Royal Crown. Her new husband, Mike Tindall is an English Rugby star and world rugby champion. He also looks straight out of "Central Casting" for a Guy Ritchie film--with his broken nose and one-too-many pints of beer body frame!

The Kiss: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips

There was a bit of a "scandal" early on before the wedding took place in that it was said that Zara and Mike wanted to sell the exclusive rights to the Wedding Photos to Hello Magazine (you know the way all those top US celebs get their wedding on the cover of Us Weekly, OK, People Magazines). Well, the Queen, yes, THAT Queen, put the kibosh on that one, saying A.) How tacky that was and B.) That it was going to be a "private family affair".

But back to the Wedding:

The Invitation, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wedding

Bride with Father: Zara Phillips entering Canongate Kirk with her father , Captain Mark Phillips

The Bride wore an ivory silk taffeta gown from Stewart Parvin, a London-based designer who is a favorite with the British Royals--so much so he even has the "By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" Royal Stamp of "approval". The tiara Zara wore was lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne:

Zara Phillips (Left) and Princess Anne (Right) wearing the "Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara"

It is the Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara, which was originally given to then Princess Elizabeth on her wedding by her mother-in-law, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Princes Anne recently wore it during the May 2011 State Visit to the US by the British Royals as seen from the photo above.

The Guest List:

Royal Guests included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, naturally. As usual, all eyes were on Kate for what she would wear. Well, kids she did some Fashion-Recycling (she's very "Recessionista" like that!).

Catherine wore a muted gold brocade coat which she had actually already worn before--at least TWO TIMES!!!Alas, her fab chapeau was new.

First at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles at St. Cyriac's Church in Lacock, Wiltshire...

And then, last year, at the wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews (above photo).

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall: The Prince of Wales and Heir to the Throne, was ever-so-dashing in a silver-grey "Morning Suit" with tails, pocket scarf and a boutonniere (Love his pinky ring! Soooo "old school"!). Camilla wore a mint green silk shantung coat with side pleats and a great head-framing flower fascinator.

Princess Beatrice: Beatrice, did not disappoint in her turquoise-blue ensemble featuring a heavily embroidered skirt and once again, a fun sassy "Plate" hat.

Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew Duke of York: Eugenie, seen above with her father, also brought the "Fashion Quota" up to this wedding, wearing a chocolate brown pencil skirt with a creme jacket with back detail and yes, a FAB hat! Love the stacked nude-colored pumps on both sisters as well (Beatrice's are in the background).

Princess Anne: Mother of the Bride Princess Anne, wore a Portrait-Collar flower-printed creme and coral red cropped jacket with a matching coral fan-pleated flared dress, gloves and metallic nude pumps. Her iconic up-do bouffant perfectly coiffed of course.

Naturally, I have to take this time to remind everyone of HER fabulous 1973 Wedding and THAT "Lady Macbeth"-sleeved gown she wore--as well as to how handsome her husband, Captain Mark Phillips was.

Finally, HRH Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II attended her granddaughter Zara's wedding, in a dusty rose coat, matching hat and her famous gloves and purse. Looking every inch a Queen.

Happy Honeymoon Zara!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot and...THE HATS!!

Hat KRAZEEEEEE...

Color Happy: Royal Ascot attendees in their finest--Imagine being THE ONE friend in the group who decided to wear black! Oooops!

Well kiddies, it's Royal Ascot!! What, pray tell, may that mean? The Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings, dating back to 1711!! It's a MAJAH event in the British social calendar (didn't realize there were still such things as "Social Calendars"). Press coverage of the attendees usually exceeds the actual races themselves and so of course, I have to give my "Nick V Two Cents". There are always some colorful outfits, dresses, and especially THE HATS!!! It's all about those hats!!! The theme for dressing to the Royal Ascot is "Dress To Be Noticed" darlings. The British Royals always attend and arrive each day in their horse-drawn carriages (of course they do!). So, speaking of the Royals...

HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Day One (Left) and Day Two (Right)--The Queen usually loves a bold bright color but for the Royal Ascot, she has chosen more elegant subdued pastels. I actually really like the pink hat it has a softness to it that you don't always see with the Queen. I also love that his boutonniere matches her hat!

Princesses Beatrice(L) and Eugenie (R): Speaking of subdued, these two royals decided to "tone down" their ever-so-fabulous "Prince William and Kate Wedding" Haute Couture ensembles (who can ever forget THAT Philip Treacy hat worn by Beatrice)...and went for a more "delicate" route for the Royal Ascots. I actually wished they would have stayed more FAB-U-LOUS as opposed to BORING.

Mrs. Urs Schwarzenbach, Francesca with Sophie, Countess of Wessex: Chic and Chic. Francesca (L) is the wife of Urs Schwarzenbach, multi-millionaire (worth 900 Million Euro back in 2005) Swiss financier living in the UK. He has his own Polo Team and is a big sponsor and supporter of horses and racing. He also own properties all over the UK--HUGE estates , my kiddies...Mrs. Schwarzenbach also happens to be a former Miss Australia (Love that!)

Best at the Royal Ascot:

Welsh Opera Star Katherine Jenkins and her TV-presenter boyfriend Gethin Jones: These two look so gorgeous! What a handsome couple, and so well-dressed! Love the deep-fire red dress and that over-the-top hat! I just feel (a little bit) bad for the woman behind her who cannot see a DARN thing because of THAT hat!!!

Danish-born Fashion Designer (and DIVA!) Isabell Kristensen: OK, this woman IS FIERCE! Three words: You GO Girl! She's a very stylish fashion designer who does mostly Custom Designs for the very wealthy from her Couture Boutiques in London and Monaco (of course!). I have no idea who is funding her and her design business, but really WHO CARES...when you look like that! She has now become a Royal Ascot fixture for her oh-so-amazing hats. And this is what she wore LAST YEAR:

I absolutely LOVE her!

The "Ascot Wacky" Awards Goes To:

Yellow Explosion

It's like this woman went to the UK version of Michael's Arts and Craft Store and this is what she came up with! Now, if she would have also found an OVERSIZED Bee and glued it in the middle of it, then...and maybe then...I would have given her a "You Go Girl" high-five!

Well, at least these two women kind of tried. But there's something about the hats--and their ensembles (it could be the badly sewn armhole princess seam on the purple dress!!)-that well, looks a little "pedestrian" and certainly, NOT Royal. But I give them a couple--just a couple-points for trying...

But THE WORST...

OK, both of these women are Royal Ascot MESSES!! What is that on the right? It's like her 19 year old gay nephew who's "studying fashion" made it for her!! Seriously. But it's the woman on the left who takes the cake. Someone should have stopped her after her fifth flute of Champagne! What is she trying to give here--in terms of her look? It is a cross between a cheap "Miss Great Britain" National Costume for the "Miss World" Pageant and... Captain Stubing of "Love Boat". Who. Does. That?
And now, May I Present you...The Gays:

My "GayDar" Just Busted: Three lovely men at the Royal Ascot

Never to be outdone are my precious Royal Ascot Gays (allegedly). I'm going to London in a few weeks and I hope, really hope... that I will run into these three boys as I step over people to get to Harrods and Topshop and Buckingham Palace. I think there are three 75 year old women in the UK right now looking for their "missing" hats.

Royals Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II at the Epsom Derby

Proper Kate...

Just today, Prince William and his lovely wife, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to the Races--They went to Epson England, in the UK of course, for the 2011 Epsom Downs Derby.

The "Peacock" Dress, from Reiss

All eyes were on Catherine as she sported a very proper ensemble which included a cream dress with mesh and cording embroidery by British brand Reiss. I absolutely LOVE Reiss and own several items--from the Men's section of course--they are elegant yet fashion-forward clothing, and (somewhat) reasonably priced.

It's not for the "I'm broke" College Crowd but more for the "I-just got-a-really good job in a Fashion PR company" kind. Now, if you go to the company's site, you can't even find the dress she just wore (well, in the cream). I'm sure it's another case of "It's SOLD OUT!". Leave it to Miss Kate. Reiss should send her a TRUNK-FULL of free clothing. I'm sure they already have...

The "Nessie Tweed Jacket" from Joseph, at Selfridges

Over the Reiss dress, she wore a modified Nehru collar jacket with patch pockets, also in cream. The cotton jacket (seen above in navy) was from the brand Joseph and it can be found at UK retailer Selfridges & Co. The entire look was elegant, Derby-proper and most of all, she wore British! Loved the hat as well.

Of course, we cannot forget Prince William and how dapper he looked in his top hat and suit! I love the carnation boutonniere especially. It's all about boutonnieres kids!!! They are not just for Proms.

Pink Queen: Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the 2011 Epsom Derby

Finally, we have THE QUEEN! No, not Elton John, but Queen Elizabeth II. She was there and naturally, she GAVE it to you! She wore a bright bubblegum pink 3/4 length coat with contrasting white banding, printed dress and her ubiquitous white gloves. The Queen loves her colors! And I do too!!
For more on what Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore (shoes, purses, etc.) click HERE!