The Merry Wives of Monaco

Before National Day in Monaco got under way the question was whether Jacques of Gabriella would steal the limelight. Instead, it turned out to be all about a style lesson from the two newest royal wives in Monte Carlo.

Princess Charlene and Beatrice Borromeo chose different styles but the effect was the same - stunning

(photo Palais Princer Monaco Facebook)

Princess Charlene has done this before but motherhood has done wonders to her confidence and her new haircut and bold outfit was as surprising as it was stunning. It takes a lot to make brown work but it was no bother for this princess. From the cut of the dress to the matching tights and shoes, the whole twenties style outfit was about as perfect as could be.

View image | gettyimages.com

She added a cloche hat over a pixie cut and went straight to the top of the best dressed this year list.

Charlene + cloche = chic

(photo Palais Princier Facebook_

And then Beatrice Borromeo arrived. The royal bride of the summer was making her debut as a wife at Monaco's National Day and she did it in some style with a mix of colours and lines that surely made her mother in law glow with pride.

View image | gettyimages.com

There was a super elegant coat, a pastel dress and a pillbox hat at a jaunty angle that looked so chic it was impossible to ignore. Add in a chignon, subtle jewellery and a smile as wide as you like and suddenly there was a fashion duel on a regal scale.

View image | gettyimages.com

The way the photos fell we never got to see Charlene and Beatrice next to one another but we got enough of a glimpse of both of them to decide that it was totally impossible to choose between them. No wonder they were smiling - when it came to National Day, it was all about the Merry Wives of Monaco.