The Crown: Episode One of a New Series on Queen Elizabeth II

Ever since Elizabeth Windsor was 10 years old, she knew that one day she would be queen. In a speech given on the event of her 21st birthday, while in South Africa on a tour with her family, she pledged her life to service of her people.

Even at that young age, Elizabeth knew what her duty would one day be and accepted her fate.

She has got all Princess Mary's solid and endearing qualities plus a perfectly natural power of enjoying herself without any trace of silence. Moreover, when necessary, she can take on the old bores with much of her mother's skill, and never spares herself in that exhausting part of royal duty.

- Sir Alan "Tommy" Lascelles

Private Secretary to King George VI

Shortly after the Royal family's return, the engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Philip Mountbatten was announced. Like the event Royal wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William, this was exciting news for Great Britain. This dress from one of the engagement photos is very similar to the first outfit we see Elizabeth wearing in episode one of The Crown, a new series by Netflix:

Norman Hartnell, who designed the wedding gown, was besieged with reporters wanting to know details about the dress and the Palace Press Secretary was asked by the Women's Press Club what cosmetics Elizabeth would be wearing on her big day (some things never change). As fabric was still being rationed at this time, so soon after WWII, the Princess received over 200 ration coupons from women all over the country toward her wedding gown, which of course had to be returned.

 

The wedding took place on the 20th of November, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. It is this event, as well as the failing health of the King and the electing of Winston Churchill as Prime Minister once again, that is the predominant subject of the first episode.

Starring Claire Foy as Elizabeth, Matt Smith as Prince Philip, and Jared Harris as King George VI, the series has been highly anticipated by Royal Fans everywhere and so far has not disappointed. One of the highlights of the first episode, and indeed of the entire series, is the replica of the wedding gown originally created by Hartnell. While there are many photographs from the Royal Wedding, not to mention the gown itself being on display this year in London, there is something special about seeing it as it would have looked new, and in motion. Just reading about the time and care taken to recreate this special gown is remarkable.

In this article from Vogue, we learn that the original gown design was approved only three months before the wedding and was made of "ivory silk and featured flower designs of jasmine, smilax, lilac, and white rose–like blossoms, supposedly inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera painting in 1482," and that her "13-foot train was also supposed to be symbolic of rebirth and growth after the war." The replica took nearly two months to make and had six embroiderers to work on it. The result was well worth the time and effort. Read more about the dress on the Royal Collection site.



There's also an interesting story about the Queen Mary Fringe tiara, which was Elizabeth's "something borrowed" (it can also be worn as a necklace but has never been seen in public as such). The earrings, of diamond and pearl, were a 20th birthday present from Queen Mary, who had inherited them from her mother.

I was especially excited to see the bridesmaids dresses, as I love the ethereal quality of them, with the glittering stars sprinkled over the full tulle skirts and the wreaths of delicate flowers in their hair. This photo of Margaret in her bridesmaids dress my favorite of her: 

One thing you might notice different from the actual photos versus the show is the backdrop of the official wedding portraits. The real photos were all taken in front of a crimson velvet curtain, while in the episode different backdrops are used. 

Another incident shown (that I could not find a photograph of) is Prince Philip's mother dressed in a habit at the wedding. Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece, had been taken to a sanitarium when Philip was 9 years old and spent two years there (Philip's father moved to the Riviera where he lived with his mistress). Later, she began the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary and opened and orphanage in Athens. She died in 1969. You can read more about her here.

Just before they wedding party goes out on the balcony, King George VI gives his daughter a moving picture camera. Later in the episode and in the next we see her using it to record memories.

After the wedding we get a montage of their early married life in Malta and the arrival of Prince Charles and Princess Anne (1948 & 1950). Then they get the call that His Majesty is undergoing an operation, sending Elizabeth and Philip hurrying back to London. The King has had a lung removed (he has cancer but isn't told). E & P renovate Clarence House to be their home. The King, sensing he hasn't much longer, attempts to show Elizabeth what being a monarch is like.

Stay tuned for more posts!

Sources:

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch. Sally Bedell Smith. 2012
The Queen Mother: The Official Biography. William Shawcross. 2009.
The History Behind The Crown's Most Incredible Looks
The Crown Style Archives (photos of all the costumes)

More Interesting Articles:

Vogue on The Crown and Our Fascination with the Royal Family
Get Claire Foy's Look in The Crown so you too can look Royally Gorgeous
Unpicking the Costumes on The Crown with Michelle Clapton
The History Behind The Crown's Most Incredible Looks
Queen's 1947 Wedding Cake Recreated for TV Show

 

Peter Morgan Serves the Queen, Again
Claire Foy in Wedding Gown Costume.. Plus Sling
Matt Smith on Prince Philip
How Accurate is Netflix's 'The Crown'?
Why Should I Watch a TV Show About Queen Elizabeth II?
These Rare Videos Inspired The Crown's Portrayal of Queen Elizabeth
Claire Foy on Playing Queen Elizabeth II
Why the Queen is sure Prince Philip never cheated

 

The Colorful Clutch - What I Wish Kate Would Carry on the India Tour

As some of you may know, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - aka Prince William and Kate Middleton - will be undertaking a tour of India and Bhutan April 10-16. This is an event that fans of the Royal Couple have been looking forward to for months and even though I start jury duty on the 11th, I will be following the tour closely - even if it means sacrificing sleep.

                        

One of the big questions asked when a tour for the Cambridge's is announced is "What will Kate wear?" We begin looking at designers from the host country as well as outfits already in the royal closet. Rather than look at what Kate might wear, I am going to look at what she might carry.

Kate is the queen of clutches. She owns quite a few, to put it mildly, and often uses them to help her switch up her look. Kate's clutches are usually simple in style and stick to classic colors: black, navy, taupe, or white. I think it would be fun to see Kate dress up some light colored outfits with a bright clutch for a pop of color. Here are some clutches that have caught my eye:

 

Makaha Palm clutch by KAYU from the Pre-Fall 2015 collection.

While not an Indian designer, KAYU is still a Southeast Asia brand. The clutch is sold out.

Growing up in Southeast Asia, founder Jamie Lim learned the art of artisanal crafts firsthand. Her inspiration for Cali-based Kayu, was to foster these traditional techniques, working with local craftsman in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia to make uniquely special bags with a rich history.

The site also offers clothing, including a couple items that would look great on Kate on any occasion, like the Esme Cotton Silk Sheer Floral Blouse, the Spencer Vladimir Violette Silk Knit Dress, and the Vivetta Sabina Skater dress.

This Alexander McQueen Metal Floral and Pearl Clutch from the 2013 Fall/Winter collection would be perfect for the glittering reception in Mumbai on Monday evening.

 

This McQueen butterfly clutch is very pretty and Asian-looking

 

 

This Caroline Issa for LK Bennett embroidered clutch would bring a great pop of color to a white dress!

 

 

As would this pink and green Kotur clutch from Spring 2015.

 

Are there any clutches YOU would like to see Kate carry?

Click here to view my other posts on the Royal Family.

What I Would Like To See Kate Wear

Over at Duchess Kate, one of my favorite Kate Middleton blogs, is a post where YOU get to choose how to dress Kate. You just leave a comment with a link to an item or items you would like to see the Duchess of Cambridge wear. Here's the outfit I came up. All of the accessories she already owns; only the dress is new.

I would have Kate wear this while on tour. The link to the dress no longer works but the address bar said Ariella Maral - du jour branco e floral Azul. The dress is Hobbs.

Other looks:

[dress and Kate Spade earrings no longer available; clutch found here.]

Kate would look lovely in this Light Blue Plain Pleated Cross-Over Neckline Chiffon dress.
I would pair it with Kate's Annoushka Pearl Drop earrings, her gold plated Acorn Pendant by
Kristin M London, this Tory Burch White Straw Clutch (no longer available), and the
Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon Wedges in white.

[dress, necklace and earrings no longer available]

I absolutely love this dress I found on Pinterest. I would keep the clutch and belt and pair it with either these green teardrop earrings or the Nina Teela tanzanite earrings and Kate's L.K. Bennett 'Silver' Cross-Strap sandals.

[dress, clutch no longer available, sandals]

 

[blouse, jeans, trousers, shoes no longer available]

 

 

[jacket, skirt, blouse]

 

[McQueen dress found here - click to see in better detail, L.K. Bennett Pumps found here.]

Here's what it looks like on.

 

Here's an evening ensemble. Kate already has all of the accessories. The dress can be found here.

 

And now here are some individual items

I would love to see Kate wear:

Kate would look fantastic in this Pink Collarless V-Neck 'Osbourne' Jacket  and Long Pencil Skirt in Pink Eggshell from Really Wild Clothing. I can see her pairing it with her Russell & Bromley Park Ave heels and 5th Ave clutch (pictured in first ensemble) and her Annoushka Pearl Drop earrings.

We all know Kate loves her Breton tops. Here are some from J. Crew with a spin. The middle one can be found here (shone in neon flame).

 

I can also see Kate racing William with this J.Crew Colorblock Sail Jacket wearing her 'sporting uniform' underneath.

 

 

These striped espadrilles would be a cute alternative to her Sebago 'Bala' Boat Shoes. She could wear them with her signature skinny jeans and this Polo Ralph Lauren 'Julianna' cable wool crew neck sweater.

 

 

Some other casual shirts she could wear:

 

 

Anthropologie Green Gingham Blouse

 

 

Palimera yarn dyed striped shirt

Mint Velvet Stripe t-shirt in ivory & silver

 

Office 'On Tops' Red Patent Leather Heels
Asos Embroidered Cutwork dress
Louboutin Yellow Heels
Sergio Rossi Single Sole Pumps - woven raw silk, 4" heel

Michael Kors Stretch Wool Cigarette Pants
Ink Spot Cigarette Trouser
Maverick Blazer
Denim Blazer
Alexander Military Blazer
Yellow Cropped Blazer
Tod's Leather Trimmed Wool Blazer
Tropical Print Shirt Dress

L.K. Bennett Flo Textile Fold Over Clutch Bag

Michael Kors Sleeveless Belted Fit and Flare Dress in Khaki or Duffle
Michael-Kors-Evie-Metallic-Snake-Print-Sandal-Gold
Michael-Kors-Giovanna-Leather-Espadrille-Wedge-Sandal-Luggage
ariel-wedges-michael-kors

alexander-mcqueen-crystal-spine-embroidered-gown

Stella McCartney Skinny Ankle Grazer Jeans
stella-mccartney-falabella-zigarette-denim-crossbody

Birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

On this day in 1900, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who would eventually become Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, was born. She lived to be 102. Here is what was posted on the British Monarchy Facebook page today:

Her Majesty was Patron or President of some 350 organizations. She was Commandant-in-Chief of the Army and Air Force Women's Services, and for Women in the Royal Navy, and held other Service appointments.

For many years she was President of the British Red Cross Society, and she was Commandant-in-Chief of the Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade. She was also Colonel-in-Chief or Honorary Colonel of many UK and overseas regiments, and Commandant-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School.

And on her 100th birthday Her Majesty received, like other centenarians, a message of congratulations from The Queen.

In another post they wrote:

Following the outbreak of war in 1939, there was some suggestion that the Queen and her daughters should evacuate to North America or Canada. To this the Queen made her famous reply: "The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave."

Thus throughout the Second World War the Queen and... her children shared the dangers and difficulties of the rest of the nation. She was in Buckingham Palace when it was bombed in September 1940. She and the King visited badly damaged areas throughout the country after the air-raids, and toured Britain visiting hospitals, factories and troops.

If you are interested in learning more about the Queen Mother, I highly recommend Counting Ones Blessings: The Selected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by William Shawcross. It contains letters from when she was little girl all the way up into the end of her life. Her letters are a delight to read and offer a fantastic look into her life. I only wish they included more scans of the actual letters. Shawcross has also written her official biography, which is on my "To Read" list.