On the second day of their official visit to India, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended the launch of the Danish business program named "Partners for Green and Sustainable Progress". The Crown Prince gave an opening speech and, together with the Crown Princess, attended signing ceremonies between Danish and Indian companies.
Crown Princess Mary, as patron of The Maternity Foundation, visited the hospital All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi to gain an insight into the work of the hospital and The Maternity Foundation in India. The visit had a special focus on the situation of the most vulnerable Indian women.
Thereafter, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were received by the President of India Droupadi Murmu at the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. After the courtesy meeting, President Droupadi Murmu gave the Crown Prince and Crown Princess a tour of the presidential palace garden Amrit Udyan.
Why do these Western ladies, when they visit other cultures always, feel the need to dress themselves in clothes vaguely similar (but always from expensive Western designers) to the national dress? It is NEVER the other way around. They probably think that it is a nice gesture but it is stupid and vaguely condescending.
ReplyDeleteElisabeth
Agree totally! And thanks a bunch that you mentioned that more than questionable phenomena. In my opinion, it's a kind of re-appropriation.
DeleteI agree 100%. I think these Western ladies believe that they pay tribute to the culture of the host country. But in reality, it is a perilous thing to do as “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. Just putting a paisley pattern on one’s garment does not honor anybody.
DeleteI understand your point, something to think about.
Deleteanna e.
I agree: Spot on, Elisabeth
Delete/Kiki ๐
I agree, Elisabeth. Justin Trudeau & his family went total "Indian" a few years ago on their visit to India & made complete fools of themselves, the media blasted him. Just be yourself, Mary, like Fred is, & wear something simple & modest. Respect, but don't cross that fine line.
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|Melanie|
I do think it works a bit better when they honor the culture by wearing something from a local designer. However, in this moment when there is so much attention on re-wearing clothes rather than buying new for royal duties, I wonder if that has factored into the decision to reach from things in the closet that might have hemlines and coverage, as well as patterns, that are closest to fitting their host country's standards for politeness and style.
DeleteI don't think, it's "condescending". Mary just wants to be polite. But I've heard about Justin Trudeau and his Indian-style disguise - maybe that was ridiculous. (I haven't seen those photos.) I remember a beautiful Sari- or Kimono-Style evening gown worn by Maxima - she looked absolutely great.
DeletePauline
I totally agree. A professional, more neutral look, would have demonstrated respect. Ophie
DeleteWell, there is a saying, "When in Rome ...." It seems this days no matter what one wears it gets somebody bent out of shape. If she had worn her "normal" clothes people would be saying, "Why isn't she dressing more like the locals? Why is she insulting them with her western hemlines?" She can't win.
DeleteNot fan of this robe coat, it looks odd, heavy patterns, though i do appreciate the fact that they want to pay respect to their host and try to ‘match’ local culture. But as you highlight well, or you wear your host traditional outfit or you stay simple with your usual outfit, no point to get a copy of local outfit done by expensive western designer, just does not look right ๐ฌ
DeleteHowever i think the word ‘condescending’ used in this context is a bit too harsh …
Rachel.
She can't win in the eye of envy.
DeleteNo, I don´t like this coat. Never did. The pattern and the burgundy lapels and cuffs are too dominating. Very pretty necklace.
ReplyDeleteLadyofthemanor
I agree with you. I’d like the coat if it did not have the burgundy lapels and cuffs. I quite like the pattern though.
DeleteT
Another excellent choice she made by wearing this cote. Etro's design is always a bit exotic. I like the pattern of the coat. So far CP Mary's outfits during this visit to India were a proof of good taste. Her clothes are always fitting so well, especially the evening dress she wore yesterday and the salmon pink color is still fashionable during the next spring. Marcella
ReplyDelete* I meant "coat" and not "cote"
Deletethis is a more Wintery look. i have no idea about the weather in India this time a year, but it sure changes from the look at the Taj Mahal the other day. Anyway the coat looks beautiful. too bad that the pictures are a bit somber, difficult to see the details.
ReplyDeleteCette sorte de manteau/longue tunique aux jolis motifs colorรฉs apporte un beau look ร Mary ; le collier que j'aimerais mieux voir est vraiment bien choisi !
ReplyDeleteFred must be so proud.
ReplyDeleteCherrie
And Mary must be so happy that at last he worn a suit that fits him.
DeleteWith his other suits, the jackets are always pulling when he has them buttoned up. He needs to take a RDV with Prince Daniel's tailor.
Fred looks very handsome in this suit.
DeleteThis was a lovely visit. Going to visit the maternity ward, how nice for the new mums!. CP Mary looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe jacket she is wearing looks to wintery, its a warm climate, and her clothing seems over the top trying to impress. Fred looks nice.
ReplyDelete@Deadeggs - that's the scandinavian style - open your narrow mind. How is hubby? Siv
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for the info Siv. Scandinavian style; didn’t know that.
DeleteThanks for asking about hubby. Too cold for him to go out fishing at the moment . So he parks himself in front of the telly.
No probs, except that I can’t watch my soap operas.
BUT, I don’t complain, I don’t explain, I just get on with things.
Must be some royal blood in me somewhere, don’t you think Siv?๐
Well, I like this coat. I think, the combination with black pants and a black top underneath looks good.
ReplyDeletePauline
I've liked all Mary's outfits this far. She has very sensibly chosen to rewear items from her wardrobe that are not too informal, have lovely colors and are comfortable in the hot climate. She's showed respect to her host country, nothing wrong with that./Grace
DeleteI think the coat is beautiful, however I also agree with the notion that western royals sometimes try too hard and it doesn’t always go well with other cultures. I am sure that Mary’s has many coats that have the right length and style where she could be respectful of the traditions but remain her usual elegant self.
ReplyDeleteCherry Blossom
CP Mary seems very tall in these photos. Maybe it's the long coat. As many have said, the whole outfit is a bit too "dark and wintery". Also, though Fred looks good in this better fitting suit, why oh why are his legs always spread so far apart? He stands AND sits with his legs open too widely. I've noticed this over the years. Anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI do not think that Crown Prince Frederick can control the gait he was born with. If you notice he has a tendency to walk from side to side and I think that is just the way he is born. With all of the world hunger and poverty I can think of so many more important issues to be concerned about than how far Frederick's legs are spread apart. Honestly!
DeleteA new subject is born. Fred's legs and why does he sit with them wide apart ? Gives a bit of a change to fashion ... no? ๐
DeleteBy wearing black and some multi color coat over it one cannot go wrong. Mary looks great, as usual. css
ReplyDeleteI think Mary looks very elegant as usual. Fred looks very handsome in his suits.
ReplyDeleteThe mother coming out in Mary, seeing all the babies.
I actually liked the coat better when Crown Princess Mary wore it with a black dress as shown. To me the coat is made to be long and besides if you shortened the coat you would compromise part of the design! Fitzhugh
ReplyDeleteI think Mary looks wonderful--I love her coat and think its beautiful. I don't believe Mary is in any way being condescending or showing a lack of respect to her hosts with this choice of coat. Wearing a colorful patterned item of clothing only indicates she is wearing a colorful piece of clothing. Its interesting that people were completely in favor of the patterned skirt Mary wore while visiting the Taj Mahal but suddenly, in this coat, it is a completely different story. Oh, and Frederik looks quite handsome in his blue suit.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely coat and works very well both with pants and a dress./Grace
DeleteDear Deadeggs, I enjoyed your witty exchange with high-handed Siv, had a good laugh.
ReplyDelete๐ Virginia
Good news, keep smiling.๐
DeleteHigh-handed? Just plain rude - Deadeggs deals with it with such grace.
DeleteI’m glad that the subject brought up yesterday by Anon 00:39 (Monday 01 March) about the way Prince Frederik sits with his legs didn’t go any further.
ReplyDeleteAnyway the subject probably didn’t have to develop as I think we all know why he sits like that. ๐ ๐คฃ๐
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