Random Royal Appreciation: Dueling State Banquets

Well, here's something you don't see often: yesterday, two white tie state banquets were held in two different countries! You know what that means, right? Double the tiaras, my friends.

First up, Sweden welcomed the new President and First Lady of Finland for their traditional first state visit.

Left to Right: Prince Daniel, First Lady Jenni Haukio, King Carl Gustaf, President Sauli Niinistö, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria

Lunch at the palace brought another delightful Victoria appearance, as well as a taste of the Finnish first lady's elegant style. She's lovely, no?

Victoria sat out the state banquet, but Prince Carl Philip joined in on the fun. Queen Silvia looked incredibly elegant in her green velvet top...

...but alas, she wore the Pronger. Again. I think she may have forgotten that she actually has a whole collection of tiaras at her disposal.

Simultaneously, the Dutch royal family welcomed the President and First Lady of Turkey for a state visit.

After a fairly standard welcoming day of events, it was time to fancy it up. The Dutch family has an automatic advantage when it comes to dueling tiara events because they have more candidates in attendance these days.

Group photo, back row, L to R: Princess Máxima, Pieter van Vollenhoven, Princess Margriet (Pieter is her husband). Front row, L to R: Prince Willem-Alexander, First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül, President Abdullah Gül, Queen Beatrix.

Excellent tiara selections here, with Bea in the Pearl Button Tiara, Máx in the Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau, and Margriet in the Sapphire Necklace Tiara (near as I can tell) - if we do have some dubious hair going on. I give the advantage in the dueling state banquets to the Dutch (but am docking serious points for such an awkward group photo setup, sheesh).

Who do you think wins this state banquet duel?

Photos: Kungahuset/Lehtikuva/Dutch Photo Press

Random Royal Appreciation: Dueling State Banquets 2012-04-18T04:59:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Post By: Didik