Prince Harry

Okay. So Harry's been in South Africa and Lesotho for a week or so -- he started off at this charity polo event, where he fell off his horse TWICE -- and dude. I accidentally downloaded, like, A LOT of photos. I sort of lost my mind. This one isn't even totally in focus! I'M NOT SORRY. I love White Polo Pants Season!

Prince Harry

Shout-out to this giggling woman. She is all of us. Prepping to meet Harry is DELIGHTING HER BEYOND MEASURE.

Prince Harry

Oh, fine. I COULD just roll these photos without commentary, but let's turn to Informative Caption: "Prince Harry competes during the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup at Val de Vie Estate...This is the first time Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup has taken place on the African continent. Sentebale is a charity started by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho 10 years ago to help the vulnerable communities of Lesotho."

Prince Harry

I enjoy this. I enjoy it very much.

Prince Harry

I also ASSUME those are Official Polo Playing Sunglasses, because otherwise there is no excuse. If I were Kate, I'd break into his apartment at Kensington and steal them, and then throw them on the bonfire she's created to murder Wills's Dad Jeans.

Prince Harry

Nacho Figueras is ALSO very handsome, just as an FYI.

Prince Harry

"This photo will come in handy for the foreseeable future," I said to myself.

Prince Harry

I TOLD YOU I couldn't stop downloading. I have a weakness.

Prince Harry

I really wish Harry had worn THESE sunglasses for polo.

Prince Harry

This was super sweet and touching -- I've linked to a story about it in the post -- but apparently Harry's been communicating with this kid for years, and this is their touching in-person reunion.

Prince Harry

I want to hug everyone. Definitely including both of these people.

Prince Harry

I just realized that I don't think any of this is in chronological order, because I bowed to my desire to open with Polo Pants. Please forgive me. Regardless: Obviously, Harry isn't going to go anywhere without playing with children -- here, "a rugby game with children at The Sharks rugby club." These kids are adorable and Harry -- who needs a haircut -- in workout shorts and no shoes has never looked more like That Dude You Went To College With.

Prince Harry

I didn't know I need to see Harry sticking his head into the mouth of a Shark mascot until just now. BUT APPARENTLY I DID. (Confidential to Hazza: I love you, but that bald spot is spreading. Look at Wills and see your future. PLEASE BE WILLING TO SHAVE YOUR HEAD.)

Prince Harry

This was a soccer game in Cape Town and I do not know what everyone is giggling about, but I love it. Those kids are beyond cute. More giggling. All giggling!

Let us turn to Informative Caption again. This is a "Football for Hope session with Grassroots Soccer in Khayelitsha... Prince Harry is visiting South Africa as part of a Royal Tour that has included the Opening of a new Charity Centre for children in Lesotho (Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre) and includes stops in Durban, Cape Town, Kruger National Park and Johannesburg."

Prince Harry

This ought to be Harry's holiday card this year. Those kids are so cute. I feel like Harry needs to have a whole house full of kids. He is extremely, extremely natural with them; you can just tell that he likes them.

Prince Harry

LOOK AT THIS CHILD'S FACE. SHE IS SO CUTE. I feel like whoever plans Harry's trips must have a lot of communiques with people that say things like, "please be sure to invite your most adorable children."

Prince Harry

"No, no, truly. Don't even bother introducing him to any adults."

Prince Harry

That seems about right. His whole face is like, "GROWN-UPS. AM I RIGHT?"

Prince Harry and Desmond Tutu

Okay, in fairness, Harry DID meet some grown-ups. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu here, for example, is definitely a proper grown-up (Harry was presenting him with the Order of the Companion of Honour from the Queen, and while I am sure Desmond Tutu was gracious about this -- it's kind of a big honor to get, I guess -- I always feel like, if you have a Nobel Peace Prize already, does any other award ever mean ANYTHING? I feel like I would always be like, "this is lovely. Thank you very, very much. I'll just stick this next to MY NOBEL PEACE PRIZE." Which is one of many many reasons why I am not in the running for a Nobel Peace Prize.) In equally meaningful human accomplishments, does it seem like Harry's suit fits better all of a sudden?

Prince Harry

This is Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mbuso Mandela (they're at the Nelson Mandela Foundation Centre of Memory) and I hope it's not wretchedly inappropriate if I note that HE'S QUITE GOOD-LOOKING.

Prince Harry Visits Africa - Day 6

"I'm telling you, dude. You definitely need more bean bags at your palace. THEY ARE GREAT."

Prince Harry

This is "Prince Harry with a Ranger Tracker dog as he visits the South African Wildlife College," where they do a lot of work to prevent the hunting of endangered species, and poaching. Because it's also not a Harry Outing if there's not some kind of cute animal involved, even if that animal is also secretly a bad-ass. PS: that dog is having THE BEST TIME.

Prince Harry Visits Africa

And, finally, on the last day of his visit: "Prince Harry and Tobeka Madiba Zuma, the wife of South African President Jacob Zuma, say goodbye after a visit to the President' s Official Residence in Pretori." Tobeka Madiba Zuma has both a great chandelier and really cute shoes, which is basically all I want out of my own life.

Prince William

Back to London! This is the Tusk Conservation Awards, which also has to do with wildlife preservation -- a theme for the Brothers Wales this week.

Prince William

Related: "Prince William meets Tusk Conservation Awards finalist Mary Molokwu for her work in Sapo National Park in Liberia...The charity, which has a 25-year history building sustainable conservation throughout the continent, established the awards three years ago to shine a spotlight on key projects and individuals. "

I love that rug, those orange shoes are rad, and Wills needs to talk to Kate about hanging something over the fireplace.

Prince William

This is Deborah Meaden, who -- if Wiki has steered me correctly -- is on the British version of Shark Tank? Whatever she does with her life, I want to know what's happening here. Did she accidentally let out the corgis?

Zara Phillips and AP McCoy

I was just going to note that Zara's skirt is SHORT and then I realized it is, in fact, SHORTS, PLURAL.

Chaz and Cams

Moving right along! QE2, Phil, Chaz, and Camilla all popped over to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit, and part of their trip involved standing around in beautiful locations.

QE2

Ahem: "Queen Elizabeth II reviews a Guard of Honor after her arrival in Malta for a three-day... state visit to the Mediterranean island where she reputedly spent her happiest years as a carefree princess in the early 1950s. British and Maltese flags lined the main street of the capital Valletta ahead of her three-day visit, which will see the queen and her husband Prince Philip attend the opening ceremony of the 24th Commonwealth summit and revisit spots from when they were newlyweds. " Here, she appears to be admiring these very smart uniforms, and perhaps wondering why Informative Caption is so OBSESSED with the length of this trip.

Camilla

Ten bucks says Camilla considered the best way to turn this into a hat.

Camilla

"Yes, yes, this is a glass Christmas tree -- and it is gorgeous -- but could it not ALSO be a hat?"

Chaz

"Yes, sir. We call it A BOOK. I know. Isn't it amazing?"

Chaz and Cams

Camilla looks v. festive, and I know I say this every week, but Charles is SO SO GOOD at Tie/Pocket Square. SO GOOD. Like maybe the best in the world. Also, this photo makes it look as if he's got one of his arms on backwards.

Chaz and Cams and Liz and Phil

TIARAS AND MEDALS. I know I say this every time she wears one, but Camz really does have a head for tiaras. (I can only imagine Charles tells her this every time she plonks one on.) The Court Jeweller, of course, has all the details on it. And I always love it when Liz pulls out the emeralds.

QE2

"I've come all the way to Malta and you've stuck me inside a bush. It's terribly rude."

QE2 in Malta

"Queen Elizabeth II waves to British Royal Navy crew members performing a salute on the HMS Bulwark amphibious assault ship, during a tour of the Grand Harbour in a traditional Maltese fishing boat." (I just loved this picture.)

The Queen

This color is lovely on her. And while we often see her without a hat -- or a tiara -- it always makes me feel like someone's forgotten something when we do.

Views Of Villa Gaurdamangia Former Home Of The Queen And Prince Phillip

I thought this was interesting: "The exterior of Villa Guardamangia is seen on November 26, 2015 in Valletta, Malta. The villa on the outskirts of Valletta, which has fallen into disrepair, is the only house outside the UK that a British monarch has resided in. The Queen lived at the property when her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, was stationed in Malta as a serving Royal Navy officer." Maybe they'll just decide to chuck it all and move back in, and renovate the place! That would make an AMAZING reality show. They could call it Property Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II Meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Also, the Queen met Canada's new Prime Minister, and all accounts say he was charming and she was charmed by him. I know y'all are interested in what his wife Sophie wore...

Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire

They also went to Malta, and this is them there. (Wow, that sentence is hideous. I apologize.) I will take a closer look at her wardrobe sometime between now and...the end of the world? (Ideally the end of the year.) This feels related to Kate's White Zimmerman Gown, and ergo I like it. Her shoes also feel related to Kate and you know how I feel about them. But she looks lovely, overall, in a This Is Our Courthouse Wedding kind of way.

QE2 at Inauguration of the Tenth General Synod

"I really hate those robes. Can't you please do something about them?"

QE2

Paivi Luostarinen, the Ambassador of Finland, looks very smart here, but MOSTLY I wanted to note that I don't remember seeing the Queen in orange often, and I LOVE IT.

Queen Letizia

Over to Spain! I love that skirt, and she's never looked more doubtful.

Felipe and Letizia

Letizia is in full Black Velvet Winter Dressing mode right now, and I am here for it.

Felipe and Letizia

I have a hair appointment next Friday and this curly bob almost gets me every time. (Never mind that my hair doesn't DO THAT.)

Queen Letizia

"Do you see a resemblance?"

Spanish Royals delivers Gold Medals Of Merit In Fine Arts

These two are ALL about standing in front of giant art this week.

Queen Maxima

Very glam and sophisticated from Maxima. I almost wrote, "understated," and then I noticed she's wearing two huge spiders on her shoulder. That seems about right.

Queen Maxima

Informative Caption: "Prince Bernhard Culture Foundation Prize director Adriana Esmeijer (L) and Dutch Queen Maxima (R) applaud Dutch architect Francine Houben (C) after awarding her with the Prince Bernhard Culture Foundation Prize for her track record as an international architect." Yay for all these women and also I LOVE MAXIMA'S DRESS. I assume her feet look completely bonkers, though.

Max and Wax

Hello, you two! I imagine dinner at your house is a hoot.

Queen Maxima

Oh! It seems Maxima was in DC this week. I hope someone from Fug Nation DC popped over to say hello!

Queen Silvia

Silvia must be thrilled that matching one's shoes to one's gown is back in style again. (I always like this color on her.)

Queen Silvia, Princess Madeleine and Princess Sofia

I have...a lot of notes for Princess Madeleine, though I do enjoy her cape. But Princess Sofia's top is AWESOME.

Crown Princess Victoria

This is Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, who is on "a one-day visit to Sweden," which is a weird way to put it. Let's say, "who was in Sweden today." (I am mere seconds away from offering to be Informative Caption's editor.) Crown Princess Victoria has really popped out, hasn't she?

Mathilde and Philippe at the Davis Cup

This my weekly reminder to you that Mathilde is only 42.

Charlene and Albert and the Twins

Aw. They're all coordinated. It's cute! Per Informative Caption, "the twin children of the Prince and Princess of Monaco, Prince Jacques (R) and Princess Gabriella, are pictured as their parents take part in a 'March for Climate' in Monaco, within the start of the UN conference on climate change, COP21, that takes place in Paris."

Charlene and Albert and the Twins

"Why are you making us do this? WE'RE SO BORED."

Royals Round-Up, December 4th, 2015

Whoa. This week's Royals Round-Up is SUPER-SIZED -- in part because I skipped this post last week, due to the Thanksgiving holiday, so we're getting two weeks worth of shenanigans, but also because Harry was in South Africa being completely charming and also riding around on his horse, and I...have a weakness. In addition to that, we've got crowns and gowns and babies and all kinds of stuff within, so better get reading. Speaking of babies! We got new snaps of Princess Charlotte this week, so make sure you check those out if you missed them on Sunday! And, elsewhere: -- I knew this was going to happen! I just thought it was going to happen to Letizia and Felipe: Norway's Princess Martha Louise Forgets to Turn off Oven: 'I Am Glad the House Didn't Burn Down' (People) -- I mostly enjoyed this piece about Wills going to the annual van Straubanzee Christmas carols because of the story it linked to, about the time Kate went solo to the same event just post-engagement. (People) -- A good read, at The Daily Beast: How Kate Middleton Revolutionized the Royal Christmas -- Grazia says Kate has a new stylist. -- This cracked me up, at The Telegraph: Kate Middleton's home village in uproar over 'eyesore' gate posts; Villagers called for the commemorative gate posts in Bucklebury to be 'ripped down' and burned. You guys, calm down! -- Popping over the The Court Jeweller, this piece about Queen Astrid of Belgium is so so interesting and you HAVE to see the foliage she's wearing on her head for her wedding. -- Princess Estelle continues to be THE CUTEST. (Royalista) -- Edward and Sophie popped over to a tea party this week; I wish I could see the rest of her outfit! Let's decide IT'S BONKERS. (Factually Royal) -- The Independent talks to the man who chauffeured QE2 around Malta this last week, and it is MUCH more interesting than I just made it sound. -- Prince Albert chatted with People about the twins' birthday, which is on the 10th. He seriously seems so much happier than he used to. I also like to imagine that Albert now just rings up Simon Perry, People's senior royals reporter, and chats with him about whatever like every three days or so, just to let People know what he's doing and how he feels about stuff. -- You ABSOLUTELY want to watch this video of Harry falling -- twice! -- off his polo pony over the weekend. (Paper) -- I discussed this in the slideshow a bit, but it's a lovely story: Prince Harry Reunited with African Orphan Friend at Charity Center Honoring Princess Diana: 'We Shared a Similar Feeling of Loss.' (People) -- At Vanity Fair: Prince Harry Says That He Is the “Cooler Brother.” My fave bit was: "When told by the professor that William would not be notified of this comment, Harry just laughed, remarking, 'He knows it!'" -- I find this totally fascinating and deeply nerdy (in a good way): The Peerage: A Primer on Understanding Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Earls and More. (Anglotopia) -- Also interesting: Great London Buildings: Windsor Castle – The Queen’s Preferred Weekend Home With a Long Royal History (Londontopia) [Photos: Getty]