Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
At first I was concerned maybe I didn't like this -- too frowsy, perhaps -- but now that I've seen it more closely I think it was a great choice. The bodice and the skirt are clearly streamlined versions of the original wedding gown, and the little furry angora sweater is still probably to keep it ladylike (read: Queen-approved, not too bare), but doesn't detract from the gown as I feared it might. And she wisely chose to stand next to Camilla...
Kate and Camilla
... who looks a bit like she wandered down in her fancy housecoat for a glass of warm milk and a Hob Nob, and discovered that the wedding reception HADN'T been cancelled at ALL and in fact the Queen was messing with her. Granted, that is ALSO not as bad as I had feared when I saw it in thumbnail, but it's as if one of the conditions of her being able to marry Charles was that she only wear dowdy clothes. Take what she wore to the wedding, for instance:
Camilla and Charles
That hat looks like someone fried up a condom, and the skirt is wicked matronly, with the gold trim hitting her at just the wrong spot. It's as if someone has decreed Camilla shall not stand a chance.
Carole Middleton
ESPECIALLY because the mother of the bride got to do her part in a beautifully tailored gown in a lovely sky-blue color. True, it is SO inoffensive that you know she took months to figure out just how to have her outfit say as little as possible yet still look great, lest she run afoul of Kate's granny-in-law. The result is lovely, and probably exactly as risk-free as it should be, although is it just me or does that look like a spare hanky stuffed up under her hat?
Wills and Chaz
The gentlemen went to the reception in tuxedos instead of their military garb, and both looked handsome in them. My parents got invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the late '80s that Charles hosted -- I've no idea why they were invited; that part of the story apparently didn't stick with me, so let's say it was because word got out that they were exceedingly attractive and charming -- and when they met him and watched the receiving line, they both remembered thinking how charismatic he was, and how he's never gotten any credit for that at all. So, here it is. Charles has charisma. Trust. If Alan Cocks said it then it must be so. [My mother also brought home a square of unused toilet paper from a Buck House loo, because she thought it would make us laugh. It did. And no, we don't still have it.]
The Cake
Yep. I'd eat that.
Bea and Eug
Look at this photo. Look at how much is happening: There are military officers and Princess Anne's colorful coat and several bright hats and TONS of people and yet all anyone can see is freaking Beatrice's Barbie Palace Kitchen trivet. Even Eugenie looks like she wants to punch it right off her sister's head, and her lid isn't much better. It looks like a Smurf with an STD, and yes, that is officially maybe the grossest thing I've ever written and I'm super, super sorry about it.
Samantha Cameron
The wife of the British PM showed up at the wedding sans hat. And as lovely as she looked... doesn't that seem an awful faux-pas? EVERYONE wore a hat. EVERYONE. I mean, to the point where I am not sure it wasn't printed on the invitation. Okay, so she had a sparkly headband, but honey, this is the royal wedding, not an episode of Gossip Girl. Get with the program. And the program is HATS.
Wills and Kate
The morning after, Kate and William left for a romantic weekend, with him in comfy clothes -- the likes of which every single boy at Notre Dame wears to our various dorm dances -- and her in a dress that evokes the blue Issa from their engagement photos (probably a smart strategic pick). She looks pretty and effortless, which is great considering it probably actually took a tremendous amount of effort, as looking effortless almost always does.
Carole and Pippa and the other Middletons
Pippa left looking like she's about to head out on a yacht. Perhaps she is going to sail the Love Boat with Harry. Because, come on. People claims they left the reception together. You know Kate told them not to. And so you know that made them want to even more.
Harry and Pippa
I MEAN COME ON.
Harry and Pippa
RIGHT? What shall we call them? Parry? Hippa?
Hippa
He's TOTALLY pulling that move where he pretends to be a step or two behind so that he can check out her bum, right? Cheeky, Harry. Cheeky.