Banquet - The enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito

After the enthronement ceremony, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel and Queen Jetsun Pema and Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended a Banquet hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Victoria in Elie Saab gown. Queen Maxima in Jan Taminiau gown. Queen Letizia in Carolina Herrera gown, diamond tiara. Mary in Valentino
Crown Princess Victoria wore ELIE SAAB Melrose Gown
ELIE SAAB Melrose Gown

95 Comments

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  1. Woooowza. For me it's a tie between Letizia and Mary.

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    1. I agree. Maxima needs her hair up for this outfit and much less makeup around her eyes. Not crazy about her dress she has far better gowns in her wardrobe very suited to this occaison.

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    2. Ha, I was just thinking the same thing! Mary chose what I think is a more regal (Queen) look, but the color and fabric of Letizia’s dress is so beautiful. Maxima, usually a favorite in these occasions, doesn’t look like herself with the odd choice of hairstyle. The Emperor and Empress look fabulous!

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    3. Agree; I am rather surprised by Maxima's choices here.

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    4. Sometimes when we have surprises like this I wonder if something went wrong behind the scenes. Was she originally planning on wearing something else but a seamed ripped or something so she had to switch to a "back-up" dress? Was her hair and makeup person unable to travel so she had to do her own hair and makeup? Just tired of the jet-set life right now and don't give a hoot? LOL. King Willem-A looks really good though. Nicely trimmed beard, etc.

      Europa

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    5. whats so odd in her hairstyle??

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  2. CP Mary, Queen Jetsun Pema and Empress Masako... lovely!
    Anon 9:13

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  3. Mary looks fabulous. I didn't recognize Maxima at first look - her make up is so different today. Not sure if I really like it.

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    1. I think the heavily lined eyes ages her.

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    2. The lighting in those photos is a bit weird, too -- not the most flattering.

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  4. Wow!!! Where do we start?! Just at first glance through the photos, CP Mary wins my best dressed. Amazing gown that both modern and classic at the same time. Fifteen to twenty years from now that gown will still be fashionable and appropriate for almost any occasion that calls for formal wear.

    Is Queen Silvia ill? I see CP Victoria accompanied King Carl G. instead of the queen.

    Europa

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    1. No. It was a strategically and honorary decision to sen the king and future queen.

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  5. For what we have seen up to know, Mary is the big winner. The evening outfit really makes the difference. We have seen this look before, and it is stunning. Having said this, they all look lovely, Maxima should have skipped the brooch and Victoria would look so much better in something more colourful. Special mention to the royal couple of Bhutan, they look as if they come straight out of a fairy tale.

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    1. ITA with you. I think Mary should even consider doing her next official portrait in this gown.

      Europa

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  6. La reine Maxima me déçoit, un diadème impose une coiffure soignée et sa robe est très ordinaire .

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    1. Hope Baker22/10/19 20:57

      Tout à fait d'accord avec vous.

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    2. Hope Baker22/10/19 21:03

      Comme on dit chez-nous, pour Maxima, trop c'est comme pas assez!

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  7. Wow! What a beautiful show of glitz and glamour!

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  8. Las capas ya resultan aburridas, no me gusta con tantos brillantes, prefiero el vestido de Letizia.

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  9. Mary la mejor. Siempre.
    Letizia no sabe andar y las mangas se arrugan.

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    1. Isabel, go back to "cotilleando"

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    2. Jajajajaja, si Letizia no sabe andar, las demás son paralíticas, TROLL.

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    3. Angie only bullies the other queens

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  10. Wonderful Tiaras and Gowns all the Royal Ladies are stunning. I can't make up my mind who looks the best. A grand Ceremony.

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  11. No royals from England and Norway?

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    1. Prince Charles is there, solo.
      Haven't seen anyone from Norway, nor are any of them mentioned on a guest list I saw, though it is an old one from 6 months ago.
      Anon 9:13

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    2. Yes, CP Haakon was there

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    3. CP Haakon was there, but i guess it's nothing to write about since CP MM couldn't be there to show off some clothes next to him...

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    4. Prince Charles and prince Haakon. - Siri

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    5. They present too

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    6. Charles and Haakon, yes (at least during the actual ceremony); Camilla and Mette-Marit, no
      Margot

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    7. Prince Charles attended the enthronement; not sure who represented Norway, though.

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    8. Photos of Charles and Haakon arriving at the ceremony. I guess the royal men are not good enough... https://www.kongehuset.no/aim/kongehuset2/files/c/e/3/eb57efdff10c4968842a0624dcbc65daeeb66e40e6/ce3eb57efdff10c4968842a0624dcbc65daeeb66e40e6.jpg/Scale?geometry=375x%3E&Set:quality=100 https://www.kongehuset.no/aim/kongehuset2/files/0/a/2/25069671a2fd9ca663ac79df2c4105daeeb66f35d0/0a225069671a2fd9ca663ac79df2c4105daeeb66f35d0.jpg/Scale?geometry=375x%3E&Set:quality=100 https://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes/royalty/2019102279474/ceremony-enthronement-japan-emperor-nahurito-royals-attending/0-383-846/prince-charles-a.jpg

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  12. Maxima and Mary are my favorite fashion queens here. - Siri

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  13. Letizia and Mathilde look spectacular, although there's something odd with Letizia's sleeves. Mary looks great; my only quibble with her outfit is that it's a second cape in one day, so it is less impactful. Queen Jetsun is such a beauty!

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  14. Mary...lindissima..perfeita...a mais elegante de todas

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  15. Queen Letizias‘s gown by Caroline Herrera is exquisite, a master piece, my favourite.

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  16. Wow, so many fantastic gowns--don't know where to start.

    Think Mary might be my evening winner as well as the daytime one. Gorgeous dress. I have Letizia next, I much prefer this to her day time dress.Then I would place the incredibly beautiful Queen Jetsun followed by Mathilde, fabulous dress but not a fan of the colour. Then I would have Maxima, who loses out by not having her up and finally my day time runner up, Victoria--too pale and too lacy for me. I cannot see all of the Empress's dress but not really a fan of the frilly collar. Doesn't she look simply fantastic though? How lovely to see her so well and so obviously enjoying herself on this important day.

    Cathrine, the Prince of Wales was certainly there at the enthronement ceremony but without Camilla. I don't know if he attended the banquet.

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  17. I love Letizia's dress.

    Empress Masako looks very happy!

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  18. I know that we have seen these cape dresses over and over, but Mary's is on a different level, it's beautiful, the bodice fits like a glove, the skirt cut on the bias gives it a lovely flair, and the cape itself is gorgeous.
    I like Letizia's dress very much, but the sleeves do not fit as well as they should, I read somewhere ( not sure if true)
    that they were added in order to make the dress a little more modest, nevertheless
    , she still looks beautiful. Not crazy about Mathilde's dress, a little too matronly for my taste. Victoria looks fine, and appropriate, no wow factor in this outfit.
    Máxima, as usual deserves a chapter on her own..the hair looks fabulous, so she can make it right when needed :-), unfortunately, this is the one occasion where she should have had an updo, is just too much going on as usual. The dress is original and had a very nice color, but it looks just too busy with all the accessories.

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    1. I agree! Mathilde’s Dress is very mother of the bride and highlights her midsection in an unfavorable way. Mary definitely the winner!

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    2. That's my comment above, don't know why shows as anonymous? 😀

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  19. Hope Baker22/10/19 18:03

    Wow! La princesse héritière Mary : sans mots, sans voix. La perfection, rien d'autre.

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  20. Mary vuelve con vestido capa pero con otro material . No lo apruebo, no arriesga nada. Me gusta Letizia con su vestido precioso y regio. Las fotos no la hacen justicia. Me encanta el vestido de Victoria,me parece ideal para ella. Todas están guapas pero unas más que otras.

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    1. Vestido regio?. Parece de barbie.

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  21. Elie Saab fait de belles robes d’habitude,celle de Victoria n’a aucun charme ,trop fade.

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  22. CP Haakon was attending as well

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  23. I love Mary's dress - designer. Agree that Maxima's hair should have been up. Letizia's gown, too wrinkle in the sleeves. But did love her flowered gown earlier.

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  24. Très belle Maxima dans cette robe dont le style moderne lui va très bien.. Par contre, je ne suis pas fan de son maquillage trop appuyé.. Magnifique la reine du Bhoutan avec son époux bien-sur !!!

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  25. CP Mary`s dress is very feminine and elegant and a wonderful choice for the occasion. The differently coloured cape respectively covered with sequins and its wide neckline add a beautiful extra detail.
    Ada

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  26. je les trouve toutes merveilleuses d'élégance ..... sauf... Maxima (que j'apprécie beaucoup habituellement) mais qui a un petit coté Cruella - Haloween qui me gêne : trop de maquillage, couleurs de la robe ? je ne saurais le dire

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  27. I agree Mary is the best dressed. I'm disappointed with Letizia's dress it doesn't do anything for her , I can't believe Maxima!everything's wrong, wrong, wrong. Victoria's dress makes her disappear, so beige. Matilde looks OK but plain. The men look funny with all the medals and neckwear. I don't really know some of the other guests but in general they look better than the European Royals.

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  28. About fashion a lot is said. For me the best photo ist King Carl Gustav of Sweden in the background of Masako. And the next one with Letizia. We hardly see him smile. And here, he seems to enjoy the event. Makes me smile as well.

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  29. Princes Charles et Haakon en célibataire comme Albert de Monaco

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  30. Prince Charles was there from the UK

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  31. prince Albert of Monaco is there on his own as always no princess Charlene

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    1. Hope Charlene is doing well.
      Ada

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  32. Perfect Queen Maxima and Queen Letizia. They present elegance with esprit. The other ladies are to my taste, too young, stuck in clothes, which they should wear better in 15 years. Often they dress too ladylike. -Dorothe-

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  33. Matilde es Real , luego Mary de valentino; de acuerdo al protocolo vestido de un sólo tono cuello cerrado y mangas largas o al codo,de mañana,de noche ...me asombró Máxima no es ella ...

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  34. I like Maxima´s look, but it´s the wrong occasion. She needed something more regal, less celebrity.
    Victoria needs more colour. This dress does nothing for her. Looks like made of bandages.
    Mathilde isn´t served well by her dress either. Poor colour, and not-ideal fit.
    Both Mathilde and Mary went for two (semi-)caped looks in a row. I think it´s starting to be a bit overdone. It´s a very dramatic and regal look and needs to be used sparsely in order to not lose its effect (and become boring). As for Mary´s evening version of a caped gown - I like the colours and the well-dosed sparkle, but the design idea of a off-shoulder cape is weird.
    Letizia´s dress is too barbie for my liking. That yellowy pink is a difficult colour. I like the embellishment of her dress, but not the sharp line across her chest. It had been nice if the skirt´s pattern had been mirrored up on top. And although I understand that this occasion called for some power jewellery, I have always thought that this tiara looks too big on Letizia´s head. It kind of overpowers her tiny frame, despite the fuller ballgown skirt.
    Jetsun Pema is stunningly beautiful. She´s perfection.
    With all the others, I cannot help but be a tiny bit disappointed.

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    1. I agree with you, Vanessa. At both events, I thought Queen Jetsun was stunning.

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  35. Again Queen Jetsun Pema from Bhutan is No 1 (IMO). Beautiful lady in a traditional dress (amazing colour co-ordinated with her husband) with 'light' jewellery. Natural beauty!!

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  36. Queen Letizia its so outstandig......She is unique, has her own style, is everything but boring!! That Tiara "La Buena" is like been made for her, suits her beautifully.In One word: PERFECTION!! P. Mary is also good and everything, lovely as usual, but at the same time,nothing really exciting IMO.....

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  37. wow, they all look soooo fantastic!
    Especially all the ladies.
    The empress is great!
    And my favourites: Maxima and the Queen of Bhutan
    But all the other ladies are looking fantastic, too!

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  38. Somehow this banquet was odd. Some male guests arrived in daywear, some have been wearing tuxedos (black tie), the rest appeared in white tie or national dress (both of which are appropriate according to protocol), also some ladies arrived in short dresses. My favourites are CP Mary of Denmark and Queen Jetsun of Bhutan. Very exquisite and just how you should present yourself on such an occasion.

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  39. Mary no lleva mangas, se le ven los brazos perfectamente y Máxima tampoco.

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  40. I think I spotted Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg at the day time event. I expect he was at the dinner as well.

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    1. Along with Prince Charles, almost the most elegant and best dressed of the royal men.

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    2. anonymous, this men really know how to do!

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  41. I love the styles of Letizia, CP Victoria most. Queen Letizia's color is stunning. CP Victoria's is elegant. Queen Maxima is good. I love her hair. CP Mary's is almost same as yesterday, nothing special, a little boring.

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    1. I agree with Jasmine October 23, 2019 at 2:31 AM. Mary's look on 1st day looked great. However, 2nd day's look was almost identical with the 1st day's. Nothing is special.

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  42. 10 of 10 for Mary of Denmark!

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  43. Now let's talk about the men. Not their fashions, their beards. Felipe, Frederik, and more particularly Wilhem should shed them. I much prefer Philippe of Belgium, he hasn't given to this 'trend' yet.

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    1. I´m firmly in team "beard". I think they all look better with the beard, and that includes Haakon and Harry too. I don´t think anyone else will hook up to that trend though, I cannot see Daniel, Charles, William, Joachim or Phillippe wearing one, but who knows. Harald, Henri and Carl Gustaf have never had one as far as I know, so I don´t think they will suddenly experiment. Juan Carlos had a beard only briefly. Albert has had a mustache (not suiting him well) and shed it again. Guillaume has had one and should have kept it. Pierre looks better clean-shaven.

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    2. Hooray for the beards!

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  44. Am I the only one who did not like the spanish queen's qown? I thought both her outfits had too much going on with patterns, and the pink color, did not suit her. I've seen her in more beautiful pieces. Q Maxima; Hair looks like a wig, or bad extensions, as if she is trying to look younger. She is beautiful, age gracefully, get the hair cut, stick to what works for you, instead of letting a dress, hat, or outfit take center stage. Mary, Mathilde and Queen Jetsun Pema looked marvelous. I was not a fan of CP Victoria's dress, it seemed to pale, though up close, the material was beautiful. Empress Masako looked beautiful in all of her outfits both traditional and the gown for the banquet.... JT

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  45. We usually don't see all the royals together and this was a very special event, one to remember. All the guest are looking stunning and regal, so many beautiful dresses and amaizing jewerly. My favorite couple the king and queen of Buthan, beautiful couple. On the other side, Masako looks happy and more relax after the morning ceremony. I wish her all the best.

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  46. It is Mary for me this time, her dress telling me: "Let the Japanese ladies shine", the quintessence of quiet elegance. I think Letizia's dress has this impressive flowery ornament and a voluminous skirt to balance that big-big tiara La Buena (for comparison, look at when the tiara dominates, also beautiful, but different: http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2017/02/breaking-tiara-news-of-day-queen.html )? Are the flowers chrysanthemums (cf. the Chrysanthemum Throne)??
    --Ann.

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  47. No sé por qué todas dicen que la de Butan es la más elegante. Es guapa y trae su traje tradicional. No sé puede comparar con el resto que traen trajes occidentales. Lo mismo, yo no comparó a Masako con el resto pues ella viste al estilo recatado japones. Espero se vaya soltando y sea tan elegante como su suegra.

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  48. JT - You are not the only one who did not like Queen Letizia's gown. I thought it looked like something an 18 year old in the US would wear to prom. It did not strike me as regal at all and I love Letizia's style usually. I so want her to bring back the red gown she wore to CP Frederik and Mary's wedding - stunning. CP Mary is the big winner to me - her gown was pure perfection - she looks amazing in that pale, ice pink color. DMP

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  49. Mmmh, ok… I like the Maxima‘s dress but her hair style is too much Princess Peach ;). Victoria understated but elegant, Mary looks regal, Mathilde ok, Letizia… not a fan of her dress. The winner is: Queen Jetsun Pema, she looks stunningly beautiful.

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  50. Ava Pittman23/10/19 19:09

    CP Mary looks magnificent. Her gown is stunning, the capped effect just oozes class and the colour is superb on her, she looks so regal and elegant. Queen Maxima, her jewels are stunning. The necklace and tiara are the perfect choice, her gown is a rare miss for me. Queen L looks beautiful, she is not afraid to be individual, a beautiful woman.

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  51. I continue to prefer the dignified elegance of Mathilde over the show-girl style of some of the others. In particular when attending such traditional, ceremonial events. It’s never about you standing out, but about paying respects to hosts. It’s not about the biggest tiara or the shiniest outfit. While it may suit Maxima’s regular style to wear somewhat edgy outfits, this looks almost costume-y to me. Shiny fabrics (and adding heavy pattern on a pink dress) don’t yield to royalty, but rather Hollywood starlet-like appearance. In the same vein, the overtly displaying of jewelry is unnecessary. Thank goodness for the Buthanese Queen. She is such a natural beauty. And doesn’t seem to have the need to stand out. She’s comfortable in her own style. Like others, I really think she brings a nice balance to the somewhat overt display of some European royals. / CH

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    1. Por fin alguien con sentido común.

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  52. I like Letizia's gown and I love the tiara, gosh it's enormous though. Mary looks very regal, I would like to see the gown in natural light to determine the colour. Maxima looks like.... well....Maxima, minimalism isn't her thing and she owns that. Matilde looks understated and lovely. Does anyone know why Mary's sash is worn differently to the other royals, left shoulder to right hip?

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    1. Creo que es porque aún no es reina ni princesa heredera como Victoria.

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  53. Mir gefallen hier am besten die Kleider von Kronprinzessin Mary und Königin Letizia. Ich bin kein großer Fan von Nude- und Pudertönen, deshalb kann Kronprinzessin Viktoria diesmal gar nicht punkten, leider auch nicht Königin Mathilde. Am auffallendsten präsentiert sich wieder das Königspaar aus Bhutan in den Trachten, wobei ich mich frage, ob die beiden nicht gern mal modisch experimentieren ;-) und westliche Kleidung tragen würden. Die Tiaras sind alle natürlich wunderschön, wobei ich fast finde, das Letizias zu groß wirkt und Viktorias so aussieht, als würde sie zu hoch auf dem Kopf sitzen. Königin Maximas Kleid finde ich am auffallendsten.

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