Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
Let me begin with Informative Caption: "Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a service to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the battle of the Somme at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Memorial in Thiepval, France, where 70,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave are commemorated."
The BBC has good coverage of today's events, which seem as though they were really lovely and moving. I must confess, I think WWII gets more coverage in American education (and perhaps everywhere), so a lot of what I know about WWI comes from vaguely recalling that week in history class, plus All Quiet on the Western Front and those bits of Downton where Thomas and Cousin Matthew were in the trenches. Reading about it as an adult has been extremely sobering and moving.
Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
Anyway, everyone looks very nice. Kate's dress hasn't been IDed as I write this -- if it is, I will update eventually; I am off to visit my grandmother today, so behave in my absence! -- but our beloved colleagues at What Kate Wore think it MIGHT be bespoke McQueen (which would make sense). It's lovely, I think, and almost period appropriate. (Harry looks moved here, but he may also be having an allergy attack. I mean, I'm sure he IS moved, but you know.)
Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
I believe they are here standing in front of the memorial to the missing, which just has names of the men (most of them boys, really) who died at the Somme but whose bodies were never recovered, as mentioned in our first slide. We talked about this a bit yesterday, but I hope part of Kate's Duchess Training involved being told TERRIBLE THINGS and poked if she cried. I mean, I am a person who has cried at commercials for dish washers, but I would be a mess.
Wills and Kate and Harry
"Boys, boys. You can BOTH hold my umbrella."
Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
This photo made me giggle. SO MANY UMBRELLAS IN FRAME.
Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
Here's your close-up. She looks a bit melancholy, I think -- as one obviously would.
Somme Centenary Commemorations In France
Also, Camilla was there (so was Charles, actually, and I just realized I forgot to nab a snap of him; rest assured, he looks Charles-y).
The Queen And Duke Of Edinburgh
Prince Philip and QE2 went to Westminster Abbey for "a Service on the Eve of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme," at which there was a 24-hour vigil at the tomb of the unknown solider. I feel like this is the coat Her Maj wears when she wants to be visible and mildly snazzy but also serious.
A Service On the Eve Of The Centenary Of The Battle Of The Somme
As noted, per Informative Caption: "Five civilians and five members of the military undertake a Vigil at Grave of the Unknown Warrior after the Service on the Eve of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme at Westminster Abbey." This is very moving and quite beautiful.
Prince Harry
Let's transition to earlier in the week. Here, Prince Harry is hugging his friend Mutsu Potsane -- they have known each other since Mutsu was a tiny tiny child -- as, to quote Informative Caption, "he meets members of the Basotho Youth Choir during their rehearsals at the Brit School ahead of a performance at the Sentebale Concert." Harry seems like an extremely competent hugger.
Prince Harry And Joss Stone
Harry brought both Joss Stone and his forearms to this event.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho during the Sentebale Concert
"This meeting of the Princes in Blue Suits Committee is going SO WELL!!!"
Per Informative Caption: "Sentebale was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho over ten years ago. It helps the vulnerable and HIV positive children of Lesotho and Botswana." News came out this past week, as well, that Harry is going to be doing a lot of work with HIV and AIDS-related charities, a decision of which I am sure his mother would approve.
Prince Harry
There were a lot of photos of Harry waving his arms in the air like he just doesn't care, along with Chris Martin of Coldplay, and all photos were both totally cute and something his children would be embarrassed by if they existed and were like 13 years old.
Prince Harry
"Slow clap....FOR MYSELF."
Princess Beatrice at the Sentebale Concert
Poor Beatrice here looks like she has lost her friends and cannot find her seat! (She finds them, and it, eventually, don't worry.)
Peter Philips, Princess Eugenie and Mike Tindall
It turns out that Mike Tindall LOVES COLDPLAY SO MUCH. Also: the weather in England has been v. uncooperative the last few days, between this and Wimbledon.
Chaz at the The Royal Norfolk Show at Norfolk Showground
"No, we're actually spinning it into gold, sir."
Chaz and Cams at the Royal Norfolk Show at Norfolk Showground
Is that a very very fluffy sheep? It looks very snuggly.
Cams at Wimbledon
Here, Cams "chats with ball boys and girls during a visit to the Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club," AKA Wimbledon. I feel like Kate styled this outfit: cute polka-dot skirt, ill-advised beige shoes.
Cams at Wimbledon
All, of course, topped off with awesome sunglasses.
Crown Prince Frederik
Crown Prince Frederik ALSO popped by Wimbledon, where he was handsome but perhaps his tie is a wee bit short? You know that, wherever she is, CP Mary has NOTES.
The Middletons
Michael and Carole Middleton got to plonk into the Royal Box this week, as well (as did Pippa and James, actually, though I just realized I forgot to track down those photos). They look nice, as ever.
QE2 Visits Northern Ireland
The queen visited Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, and I love how the photographer behind her is clearly thinking, "JEEZ I'M COLD BACK HERE LET'S DO THIS AND GET INSIDE." Also: this is the trip at which the Queen -- after a very eventful Brexit-y week -- responded to someone asking her how she was by saying, "well, I'm STILL ALIVE."
Prince Albert, Charlotte Casiraghi
There is often some sort of horse-y something or other happening in Monaco, and this week is no different. Charlotte looks nice enough, but I wish she had on less match-y shoes? Or a belt? A bracelet? A dramatic bag? Something more exciting in the accessories arena.
Pierre Casiraghi
Elsewhere in Monte Carlo, Pierre Casiraghi is really hot on a boat.
Pierre Casiraghi
And in general.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Informative Caption tells me that M-M is on "a visit to Stavanger, during the King and Queen of Norway's Silver Jubilee Tour," and I like her jewelry here.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon
And in case you forgot, Prince Haakon is HOT.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon
...although here he appears to be attempting murder?
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon
Oh, Mette-Marit. You look like Laura Ashley threw up on you here. YOU CAN DO BETTER.
Michelle Obama and Queen Letizia
Michelle Obama cameo! I love that here, she appears to be stepping into the role generally performed by King Felipe in the hit two-person play, "Honey, Did You Remember To Close The Garage Door?" (You can see the rest of Michelle's looks from her recent trip to Spain, Liberia, and Morocco here -- with a bonus Princess Lalla Salma appearance.)
Felipe and Letitiza
I note that I love this skirt every time Letizia wears it, but, look. I just really love this skirt, okay?