Life style
How Princess Charlotte’s £76 birthday dress continues a timeless royal style tradition
Princess Charlotte’s eighth birthday photos show her wearing a dress by a traditional British children’s brand
Princess Charlotte photographed by the Princess of Wales Credit: The Princess of Wales
Happy Birthday to Princess Charlotte who turns eight on Tuesday. To mark the occasion, the Princess of Wales took a new photograph of her daughter in Windsor this weekend.
Laughing while sitting in a white wicker chair with her long hair swept to one side, Charlotte looks happy and relaxed. She now seems far more grown-up than the sweet toddler who once charmed the world with her hair bows and sweet cardigans, but there is one element of her style which remains the same – and will very likely continue to be a part of how she dresses for her public role for years to come.
Charlotte wears the ‘Frances Willow sun dress’ by British childrenswear label Trotters in her birthday portraits. With its oversized frill collar and delicate floral print, the timeless £76 design could really be worn by a girl or woman of any age. It’s the kind of look which Trotters excels at, creating clothes for children up to 11 years old which are sweet, traditional and practical, too. Within minutes of Charlotte’s birthday photo being released, her dress was sold out in several sizes.
While Charlotte’s dress was likely chosen simply because it makes a lovely birthday frock, it does show her following generations of royal tradition. Floral dresses have long been a cornerstone of regal wardrobes, loved through the decades for their prettiness and simplicity by queens, princesses and duchesses of every age.
Indeed the late Queen Elizabeth exemplified the floral dress’s ageless appeal wearing versions of the style for portraits when she was a child, a young woman and throughout her reign. In one of her final public appearances last May at the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s ‘Gallop Through History’ concert, she opted for a blue silk dress embroidered with dainty blooms.
Charlotte’s paternal grandmother, Princess Diana, was also a huge fan of florals, especially during the Eighties when the print was synonymous with the romantic, ultra-feminine look of the moment. One of her standout floral outfits, a dress created by Donald Campbell which she wore on honeymoon in 1981, had echoes of Charlotte’s 2023 birthday frock with its white background and delicate sprig print.
Whether worn by a royal or not, floral dresses are loved by women everywhere for their versatility, but Charlotte will one day learn that they are especially helpful if you’re practicing the art of literal or diplomatic dressing, strategies which her mother, the Princess of Wales, has made her own. Catherine has often deployed floral dresses not simply because they look lovely, but because they project a message; she wore an orchid-embroidered dress to visit Singapore’s botanical gardens in 2012 and any appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show comes with a bloom-adorned outfit.
Her dress’s floral pattern isn’t the only style link which Charlotte’s birthday dress has to her late great-grandmother. Trotters was founded by businesswoman Sophie Mirman. Mirman’s mother was Simone Mirman, a milliner who created some of the chicest and most exuberant hats ever worn by Elizabeth II. Mirman was renowned for her exquisite and precise embellishments which ranged from tiny pearls to delicate silk flowers. Her designs helped to modernise and reinvigorate the royal custom of wearing a hat to almost every public engagement.
The Princess of Wales has shopped at Trotters for her children before, looking to the label for smart coats and novelty knitwear. But choosing the British label for Charlotte’s eighth birthday outfit may be the biggest show of support yet for a brand whose clothes epitomise traditional children’s style. In fact, the Waleses next Trotters purchase might be the limited edition ‘Lilibet’ dress, a smocked style made in the same ‘Lilibet’ Liberty print worn by Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret in the 1930s and embroidered with crowns in a nod to this weekend’s coronation celebrations.
Telegraph
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
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were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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