High fashion can be hard

It's one thing to be stylish, another to be on trend but being a fashion setter is a whole different ball game. And for royal ladies, it can be hard work. There's a difference between picking an already established piece that everyone loves and wants to buy and trying to actually set trends. Anything too out there could overshadow the event you're attending and end up making you look like you just tried far too hard. Welcome, Queen Letizia, to the tricky world of fashion leader.

Queen Letizia of Spain at the Telefonica Ability Awards in Madrid on January 12th 2015 where she went for high fashion and fell

The queen donned a beyond on trend outfit for her latest outing - she was presenting the Telefonica Ability Awards in Madrid. But from the moment she stepped out of her car this engagement was all about the outfit rather than the prizes. 

Letizia of Spain goes high fashion in Madrid

The look hit the blocky black and white mix colour scheme that is right here, right now in a New Look inspired outfit that seemed to swamp the queen. The big problem with being that far ahead of the fashion curve is that it loses that air of familiarity that makes royal outfits so desirable but obtainable. Trying out a style before everyone else is doing it gives and edge but it also gives problems because for a start everyone just wants to look and work out what you are wearing. The big moment for the firm or charity being visited is lost in a series of 'what is she wearing' questions. It's not an issue for royal men, unless they go completely off the dark suit and white shirt message, but royal women are still judged by how they look and what they wear. The awards came second yesterday to the skirt.

The Queen of Spain arrives at the Telefonica Ability Awards in Madrid

And when everyone wants a photo it can be hard to stop an engagement turning into a fashion shoot. It's great fun to see what royal ladies where but sadly the message of the good work they do while wearing it can be lost. And hitting the high fashion buttons makes that even more likely. Letizia's look yesterday wasn't her best but it also raised questions of what a royal lady can get away with at work. And showed that high fashion is still tricky for queens and princesses.

What do you think of Queen Letizia's latest look? Check out the image gallery here.

Letizia does New Look, January 2015

The Queen of Spain went high fashion with a monochrome tribute to New Look. Here's Queen Letizia in Madrid on January 12th 2015 presenting the Telefonica Ability Awards.

View image | gettyimages.com

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Royals on social media

In the cold days of January, things are slowly starting to warm up in the agendas of Europe's royal houses which means there has been a bit more to look at and learn from on their official social media channels. Here are the highlights of this week's royals on social media.

Diplomatic Relations

The King and Queen of the Belgians held a New Year Reception for the Diplomatic Corps at the Royal Palace in Brussels and shared photos of Philippe and Mathilde greeting guests on the official Twitter account.

Réception de Nouvel An pour le Corps diplomatique au Palais de Bruxelles pic.twitter.com/b5EAygGfsO
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) January 8, 2015

Looking to the future

New Year is all about looking to the future as well and the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway invited the leaders of tomorrow to Skaugum for a day designed to help young people share their experiences. A photo of Haakon Magnus and Mette-Marit was shared on the official Facebook page.

King Felipe oversaw the traditional Pascua Militar as monarch for the first time in the week and the official Twitter account of Casa Real shared images of a new king in a new role.

Palabras del Rey en la celebración de la #PascuaMilitar @Defensagob http://t.co/oOs0nw7iaP pic.twitter.com/dnACEZcMi1
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) January 6, 2015

In memoriam

The royal houses of Europe all showed their support for the people of France in the wake of the terror attacks during the week. And as the mourning continued, Clarence House shared an image of Prince Harry signing the condolence book at the French embassy in London on its official Twitter feed.

Prince Harry signs a book of condolence at the French Embassy in London after the attacks in #Paris pic.twitter.com/W0ZWcOQLgi
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) January 9, 2015

Into the future together

They used to be the youngest royal twins in Europe but as they reach the grand old age of four, Vincent and Josephine of Denmark have moved into a more senior position. As the youngest children of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary mark their special anniversary, there are special photos to mark the occasion although it's probably fair to say there's been slightly less interest in these images than the snaps from the official presentation of the latest dose of royal double trouble to be born. And these special birthday portraits, taken during their tour of Greenland in August 2014, show a brother and sister growing up fast to face the future together.

Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine of Denmark look to the future together

Prince Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander was born at 10.30am on January 8th 2011 in Copenhagen. His sister, Princess Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda, arrived at 10.56am. The babies were christened on April 14th 2011 and since then have made regular appearances.

                                           

The twins, who are the younger siblings of Prince Christian and Princess Isabella, are third and fourth in line to the throne of Denmark and most likely will never succeed. But they will one day be the children of a king rather than a crown prince and later the siblings of another monarch. And as these photos show, they're already a pretty formidable team. Twins are often asked if they are closer than other siblings or if there is a special bond, The family of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have always looked happy and content in each other's company. But these special birthday images show that the now second youngest twins in Europe are growing up enjoying their time together. Jacques and Gabriella of Monaco have a great pattern of royal twindom to look to in Denmark.

The sleeping superstars

There were bells, there was cheering, there were cameras clicking all over the place and yet these two little superstars in the making slept all the way through it. As Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were presented to the people of Monaco it seemed the least excited of the thousands there were the babies themselves. Wrapped in cream blankets and nestled in their parents' arms, the newest royals in Europe had a good snooze while celebrations for their arrival went on all around them.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco with their children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella

(photo Palais Princier Facebook page)

The square in front of the Prince's Palace was packed out and decked out as well as the red and white of the Monegasque flag fluttered in the weak winter sunshine, The new mum and dad appeared on the balcony with Charlene holding Gabriella and Albert showing off Jacques.

A kiss from mother to daughter - Charlene and Gabriella alongside Albert and Jacques on January 7th 2015

(photo Palais Princier Facebook page)

Auntie Caroline and Auntie Stephanie were also there to join in the celebrations, watching from another window. And there was also time for a walkabout as the new parents popped the babies back into the nursery and headed out to receive the good wishes of the huge crowds who had turned out to see them, The princess, in cream and with a new haircut, looked relaxed and very happy while the prince beamed with pride. And they were soon surrounded by thousands who wanted to pass on their own personal congratulations.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert in the middle of the huge crowd that turned out to see them as they officially presented their son and daughter to the people of Monaco

(photo Palais Princier Facebook page)

The twins were born by Caesarean section on December 10th 2014 at the Princess Grace Hospital and came home on Christmas Eve. Gabriella Therese Marie is two minutes older than Jacques Honore Rainier but it is the baby prince who is now heir to the throne.  On the day of their birth there were 42 cannon shots fired - 21 for each baby - and the church bells of Monaco rang for fifteen minutes before all the boats in the principality sounded their horns. Today, the celebrations continued.

Princess Charlene is greeted by a young fan as she goes on a walkabout after showing off her twins for the first time

(photo Palais Princier Facebook page)

Their parents had already shown them their twins in images taken for Paris Match magazine but today's event follows in the tradition that Albert himself was part of when a newborn - Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace officially presented their son soon after his own arrival. Now their grandchildren, Albert's heir and spare, have made their own royal debut. These babies will grow up to be two of the most photogaphed people in Europe but on their first big day out they slept through the whole thing. Calm, peaceful and serene - Their Serene Highnesses Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco.