Prince Harry Plays Polo

Like I wasn't going to start with this one. COME ON. Don't you know me at all?

Prince Harry Plays Polo

It's possible that I aimlessly downloaded, like, a LOT of photos of Prince Harry trotting about on a white horse.

Prince Harry Plays Polo

Not really even "possible." It's TRUE that I did that. Look. It's summer time. You might just want to mindlessly watch Prince Harry play polo. I don't judge this. I SHARE this feeling.

Prince Harry Plays Polo

Can never resist a good photo of mounting or dismounting.

Prince Harry Plays Polo

Bonus points for the champagne photobomb.

The State Opening Of Parliament

It was the State Opening of Parliament this week, at which, per Informative Caption, QEII "delivers the Queen's Speech to the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster." It is, as you can see, a VERY casual affair. This is also the photo wherein I traditionally make the joke that someone has packed the incorrect reading materials: 50 Shades of Grey, the latest issue of heat, the fanfic Her Majesty is currently writing about Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

The State Opening Of Parliament

Truly, this event is QUITE low on bling, and definitely lacking in, say, long ermine capes and the like.

The State Opening Of Parliament

Speaking of drama, this is one of my favorite Informative Captions ever: "Yeomen of the Guard hold their lanterns as they prepare to conduct a ceremonial search in the Palace of Westminster, before the State Opening of Parliament." Lanterns! Ceremonial searches! Dramatic natural lighting!

The State Opening Of Parliament

It's possible that my very favorite detail about this event -- beyond the drama and the Yeoman and the crowns and the carriages -- is that Her Maj brings her purse with her. And it's silver. WHAT? She might need a mint or something. A bob for the driver! In all honesty: We literally do not know her life.

The State Opening Of Parliament

"WE'RE BORED." (That said, Camilla really does have -- as one of you once pointed out -- the proper head for that tiara. I enjoy that she ALSO has her purse with her. I suppose it's possible one might need a tissue at some point.)

The State Opening Of Parliament

At least Anne gets to wear her most jaunty hat, whilst scanning the crowd for scofflaws and ne'er-do-wells.

The State Opening Of Parliament

HIDEOUS.

Queen Elizabeth

And then back to business, trying to keep the new High Commissioner of the Solomon Islands, Moses Kouni Mose, and his wife from noticing that g-d rug.

The Queen Visits The Duchy Of Lancaster

"Oh, fabulous. WE LOVE CATTLE."

Buckingham Palace Garden Party

"And this is what we're going to do. YOU'RE going to set that hideous little tree on fire, and then when he's distracted, I'm going to TACKLE the great thieving wanker. DEAL?"

Princess Beatrice

"And whatever you do, don't tell Bea. I don't think she can run in those heels." (Which, btw, I actually love.)

Princess Michael of Kent

What kind of women manages to perfectly work an eyepatch into her garden party ensemble? A WOMAN WHOSE BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT INCLUDED A TIARA AND AN ANGRY CAT.

King Willem-Alexander And Queen Maxima Of The Netherlands State Visit To Canada

Did you hear? W-A and Maxima are currently in Canada (and coming to the US soon) and she wore a HUGE HUGE HUGE hat and also this kind of hideous lace coat thing. OH MAXIMA.

Willem-Alexander And Queen Maxima

This is at the state dinner with Canada Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon, and I will immediately reverse my position and say WAY TO GO MAXIMA. She looks GLORIOUS here.

Queen Mathilde and King Philippe

When Mathilde joins Queen Letizia's Law & Order-esque show (in which Princess Anne is Order, and Letizia is Law), this will be the shot that runs under her name in the opening credits.

King Philippe Of Belgium Receives Ban Ki-moon At Rotal Palace in Brussels

I honestly just chose this shot so we could look at Phil and Mat's tapestry. You KNOW my feelings about tapestry. (It's pro. I'm strongly pro-tapestry.)

Queen Letizia of Spain Visits El Salvador

Per Informative Caption: "Letizia of Spain is visiting Honduras and El Salvador where she is promoting women's rights and other topics as the support for the most disadvantaged." Also, looking awesome coming off a plane.

Queen Letizia of Spain Visits Honduras

Though I prefer that look with the addition of the coral coat and patterned clutch.

Queen Letizia of Spain Visits El Salvador

I don't want to downplay the importance of clean drinking water but also I need to note that these flats are cute.

Royals Round-Up, May 29th 2015

Lots of drama this week, in the form of great British pomp and circumstance, enormous hats (Maxima), and the return of White Polo Pants season. But first of all, a reminder that Heather and I will be visiting Chicago on June 6th for the Printer's Row Lit Fest, and we'd LOVE to meet you, sign your copies of The Royal We, talk about Maxima's hats and this blog or whatever else you like. All the details are here, and please let us know if you have any questions! Speaking of The Royal We, we are delighted that Publisher's Weekly just said, "Royal watchers and chick-lit fans alike will delight in this sparkling tale. Pure fun." As you may know, we also made the New York Times Summer Reading List! So if you are still looking for a read for the summer...I guess you probably know my suggestion. ANYWAY, The book is out now everywhere in the US and Canada, and, UK/NZ/Aus readers, we will have some very good news for you soon. Please watch this space! AND NOW, around the internets: Speaking of The Royal We, if you've read it, you know that quite a bit of it is set in the Sir John Soane Museum, and this is a FASCINATING bit in The Telegraph about his newly restored apartments -- and all his models! -- there. Wills gave a charming interview about soccerfootball ahead of the FA Cup Final which only confirms for me that he and Kate are like actual real sports fans. He also refers to her as "the missus." (The Telegraph) Apparently, Harry has finally met Princess Charlotte. WE WANT PICTURES! (The Express) Royalista has LOADS of coverage of the W-A/Maxima trip to Canada, which you will enjoy This is interesting, over at The Guardian: The prince, the glamour model and the Vikings’ lost language: The marriage of Sofia Hellqvist to Prince Carl Philip of Sweden could help resurrect the once-banned Elfdalian tongue. And People has wedding gown predictions for Sofia (the wedding is June 13th; we will, of course, cover it). Over at The Duchess Diary, Kelly rounds up her favorite Royals Moments this May. King Harald of Norway visited Alaska! (Alaska Dispatch News) At Hello!...WHAT IS CHARLENE EVEN WEARING, YOU GUYS? Also from our friends at Hello! Princess Madeleine and family are moving to London, where I assume she and Kate will have playdates for the kids where they sit around and talk about their super secret hair mask recipes. The Court Jeweller has great intel on the jewels QE2 sported this week for the opening of Parliament. And finally, this is very amusing, as ever, at Tatler: Top Toff Jerks of History. To wit: "You know how it is when you're king of England, Ireland and France. You can do what you bally well like. Sick of your wife? Just call her a liar and a baby-repeller before having her bundled off so you can shack up with your flouncy new girlfriend. But wait - the law won't let you marry the flouncy girlfriend because of some poncy pontiff in Rome? Well, f"'*k that for a game of cards. Change the entire religion of the country. Burn down some monasteries and make yourself the boss.Tell everyone God said you could. If people don't like it, fine -let's see them complain WITH NO HEAD." And this is wonderful, about Mette-Marit, at People: "For the second year in a row, the Scandinavian royal, 41, is embarking on a literacy tour of her scenic homeland – and once again, she's transforming her royal carriage into a rolling library. The carriage, known as the 'Train of Literature,' will make several stops in Norway, where the princess will meet with locals to encourage a love of reading."