Royal Trend Watch: Paris Fashion Week

The fashionistas have been out in full force for quite some time now at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and finally this past week in Paris. It was Paris and the Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collections that brought a few select royals and their front row styles out to play. Princess style at a fashion show is a curious phenomenon: to stick to your regular royal uniform, or go fully fashion-forward decked out in your designer of choice?

Left to Right: Princess Charlene at Akris, Princess Beatrice at Elie Saab, the Princess of Venice and Piedmont (Clotilde Courau) at Balmain

Charlene and Beatrice both stuck to outfits that they would wear any day of the week; though Clotilde looks like she dressed special for the show, she's really doing the same. Beatrice wins this group for sure. Her simple Elie Saab sheath (quite similar to what we've just seen Kate in, by the way) is a master class in the power of color.

But Bea doesn't win the week. No, for that we have to go with a princess that really did put a royal spin on the fashion week trends: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand (she's the daughter of the Crown Prince of Thailand).

L to R: At Balmain, Christian Dior, Lanvin, and Hèrmes

Princess S. (one time typing the full name is enough for me) is quite the fashion girl, you see. She's a designer and a student of fashion, and has even showed in Paris herself. Also, she's an international badminton player. Everybody loves a princess of all trades! (Well...maybe not everybody. There was a bit of a kerfluffle when she tried to introduce herself to Princess Beatrice at the Elie Saab show and was rebuffed by Bea's bodyguard. Awkward.)

L to R: At Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Elie Saab

I'll admit it was a bit jarring at first to see her go full-on Morticia when we last saw her in demure national dress in Monaco, but I'm ending the week a big fan. There are loads of princesses working the sensible trends; we have plenty of room for one that loves fashion and isn't afraid to let you know it. I say: work it!

Which one's your favorite royal outfit from Paris Fashion Week?

Photos: lehtikuva/Getty Images/Daily Mail/Daylife