The Royal 2015: 5 fab fashion moments, November 2015

November usually means big coats, maybe scarves, nearly always gloves but the unseasonably mild weather had an effect on the royal wardrobe as well with the thick layers staying hidden away and clothes fit for September making an appearance. There were lots of great looks to choose from - here are 5 fab fashion moments from November 2015.

Crown Princess Mary looks pretty in pink on a visit to a children's centre. The simple lines and blocks of colour produced a fashion winner
(photo kongehuset.dk)

There was another triumph for simple lines and solid colour when Queen Letizia wowed in this grey peplum dress while hosting Queen Rania during the Jordanian royal visit to Spain.
(photo Queen Rania Instagram)

Queen Rania had several fab fashion moments during that trip but the best was the leather skirt and check blouse chosen for a solo visit all about new technology. Daywear at its very best
(photo Queen Rania Instagram)

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More formal daywear for Beatrice Borromeo as she took part in Monaco's National Day for the first time since her marriage. Her pale pink and black combination was just as successful as Crown Princess Mary's version of it in the same month and topped with one of the best royal hats of the year. A total winner.

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What's black and white and totally fabulous? Queen Maxima's dress for an awards ceremony, that's what. The Queen of the Netherlands wowed with this winner as the year drew to an end.

The Royal Year 2015: 5 fab fashion moments, October 2015

October was a bumper packed month of royal engagements which meant even more fabulous fashion moments to choose from. State visits, christenings and awards ceremonies meant an almost endless stream of glamourous gowns and hits of hats to enjoy. Here are 5 of the best in the fab fashion moments from October 2015.

There was huge interest in the China State Visit and the appearance of the Duchess of Cambridge at the banquet that formed a big part of the event. But while her red gown and tiara for that were very Kate,m the burgundy lace Dolce and Gabbana she picked for an engagement about creative industry the next day wasn't. It was a big surprise, a real fashion adventure for the duchess, and it wowed.

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When Queen Mathilde of the Belgians gets it right she is pretty unbeatable and the pale blue dress, coat and hat she chose during her official visit to Poland with King Philippe was a total winner. On a royal fashion icon like Kate or Letiziam, this would have won plaudits around the world. A real style sensation.

Someone stop Crown Princess Mary. This royal is fast eating up any competition when it comes to fashion and the black cocktail dress she picked for an awards ceremony in October is up there with the best of them. From its fifties' styling to stunning use of accessories, this is a look worth savouring time and time again.

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Princess Madeleine of Sweden surprised many with her bold choice for the dress she wore to christen her boy. The rich, patterned coat and fascinator was a cracking choice for the baptism of Prince Nicolas and certainly made his mummy stand out from the crowd.

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There was something rather special about Queen Maxima's take on grey and black for a visit to celebrate the 'Year of the Mines' and it wasn't just the Louboutins. Sometimes, outfits just work and this one falls straight into that category, Royally stylish and then some.

The Royal 2015: 5 fab fashion moments, September 2015

September 2015 was a vintage month for royal fashion with some stunning style choices from just about everyone. But five looks really stood out and the message was definitely pale and interesting. Here are 5 fab fashion moments from September 2015.

Crown Princess Victoria sparkles as she makes her first public appearance after confirming her second pregnancy. Mum looks quite happy as well and the dress is a dream.

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Queen Rania chose a dream of a white dress for her visit to the Social Good Summit in New York at the end of the month. Simple, elegant and just downright stunning. 

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Keeping it pale was obviously key for the royal wardrobe in September as the Duchess of Cambridge scored a big style hit in a pale dove grey two piece for a visit to HMP Send to learn more about mental health issues and addiction treatments for women prisoners.

Crown Princess Mary scored a winner in white as well when she chose a simple structured shift for an event focusing on women's rights in Copenhagen.
 

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But everyone needs a bit of colour from time to time and Princess Charlene produced one of the evening looks of the year with this black and red dress chosen for the 2015 Princess Grace Awards Gala in Monte Carlo.

Prince Henrik waves hello to a new future

The New Year levees in Copenhagen once caused Prince Henrik, consort of Queen Margrethe, to flee to France when he felt he had been snubbed by not hosting them in the place of his ill wife. Tonight, he was definitely the star of this royal show with all eyes on the Prince Consort as he made his first public appearance since his wife announce he would be retiring from public life.

Queen Margrethe and her Prince Consort arriving for the New Year gala

Copenhagen, January 1st 2016

The prince will be scaling back his official engagements with Margrethe describing it as a retirement. So there was huge interest in the prince as he accompanied his queen to the gala at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen - these images mark a milestone in his royal life as he steps into a new phase of it.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark makes the New Year's Eve speech in which she announced her husband's retirement

But if Henrik got a lot of attention, so did Crown Princess Mary who has just returned from Australia where she spent Christmas with her husband and children. And the trip back home clearly suited her as she looked beyond regal as she stepped out for the event.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary arriving for the annual New Year gala

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were also present with Marie the only one of the royal women not to wear blue. The couple were last seen attending a Christmas Eve service with Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik - the Prince Consort's last public appearance before the announcement of his retirement.

Joachim and Marie of Denmark 

New Year's Day 2016, Copenhagen

But the show belonged to the man who wanted to be king and who said, on more than one occasion, that he should bear that title. Henrik now begins a new role for himself as husband of a queen but staying in the background. The New Year is bringing a new challenge for this Prince Consort.

How the royals wished us 'Happy New Year'

King Harald has given his traditional New Year message

(photo kongehuset.no)

We're all hoping for a Happy New Year and as 2016 got under way, royals across Europe joined in with those wishes. There were official speeches, messages and tweets but they all ended in the same way - Happy New Year.