The heir to the Kaiser of Germany, a Mr. Georg Prince of Prussia, got married today to Miss Sophie Princess of Isenburg.

Georg and Sophie ride in a landau to their wedding reception at Sanssouci Palace.

Never heard of them? Join the club. Which shows that you really can set aside your ruling families and things will smooth out in a few generations. Just leave them with some money and estates and they’ll go quietly.

No longer royals, now aristocrats, the deposed German families still take their lineage seriously. The groom would have been ousted as head of the Hohenzollern family if he had married a commoner.

Is it because Germany was on the other side in both World Wars that our hearts don’t leap at the sound of Kaiser Wilhem II’s name, and we don’t get goosebumps at the thought of his great-great-grandson marrying a German princess?

Or is it the Kaiser Wilhelm II helmet problem?

Oh wow. I didn’t even know about that helmet. I meant this one.

Maybe that’s the reason it was easy to get excited about the Monaco royal wedding — Monaco’s not threatening, unless you’re in a competition for conspicuous consumption. Prince Albert can drape Princess Charlene in lashings of diamonds and elegant evening gowns; it’s harmless fun for the rest of us.

TSH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Photo: The Jewellery Editor

The German bridal couple offer less on glam and more on gravitas. They work as financial consultants in Berlin and have been friends since childhood. The new Mr. and Mrs. Prince of Prussia (not kidding about those names) adopted a coy attitude toward the publicity around their wedding, holding the ceremony and reception in the most regal settings, but giving limited access to the press.

Georg and Sophie after the religious ceremony. Photo: Reuters/Daylife

The bride’s family tiara (they got to keep their jewels too) topped her heirloom veil.

The blue and white floral theme of the wedding carried on into the reception, with guests dining on Bleu Mourant china, a favorite of King Frederick the Great of Prussia, made by Royal Porcelain of Berlin.

Bleu Morant china. Photo: Royal Porcelain Berlin

This Yank’s catching a tiny, troubling whiff of restoration wistfulness in the wedding week.

Note: In March of 2012, Prince Philip Kiril of Prussia called for the restoration of the German monarchy.

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princess beatrice in turquoise Bea’s knees. Photo: PA/Daily Mail

Princess Beatrice’s sin against fashion was grave indeed when she wore That Hat to Kate and William’s wedding in April.

In the wake of the headgear horror, Bea’s mother revealed that a stylist had been engaged because Fergie was too busy to “go around the shops” with Bea.

Bea’s bride-to-be friends must have been quaking in their Jimmy Choos. What would the red-haired princess wear to their weddings? Would she monopolize attention again and again, like some Flying Dutchman sailing from wedding to wedding, always in a frightening fascinator?

Apparently Granny weighed in too. The Queen’s former dresser (now valued designer) Angela Kelly created something young and fun to reflect Bea’s personality. The new ensemble appeared at cousin Zara Phillips’ wedding to Mike Tindall.

The Triumph in Turquoise was a double silk fitted jacket with a peplum, covering a fitted dress with a plain bodice and lace sleeves. The flirty dress sported floral appliques and crystals. Bea’s pretty little saucer hat was made of double silk with crepe and lace details. Nude pumps must be LK Bennett. It’s illegal to wear anything else right now.

Ego te absolvo, Beatrice. Go and sin against fashion no more.

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prince william and kate leave los angeles after tour of u.s. and canada 2011 NOOOOOO! Don’t leave us here alone with Barack Obama and the Republicans! Photo: Camera Press/Mark Stewart/Daily Mail

What do you mean, they went home? I thought this was the new normal — headline of the day would always be Kate’s latest outfit. Followed by another geography lesson on Canada as they criss-crossed the country, the royal press pack trailing after them, tweeting complaints about bad transport.

I’m not the only one feeling bereft. Lots of us are searching for crumbs. The Daily Mail offered up an article on William’s style. Nice try.

We’ll just have to live on our memories — until Balmoral.

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prince william duchess catherine in western hats calgary canada tour 2011

And so begins a lifetime of Funny Hats. Photo: Daily Mail

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Royal wedding perfection for Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco

July 2, 2011

Princess Charlene is no longer in the bridal shadow of Princess Grace. Now a wedding icon in her own right, the embroidered Armani gown showcased her natural elegance. They married “at home” in the Main Courtyard of the Palais Princier. The guests were almost outnumbered by musicians and priests. Every detail of the wedding, from […]

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When in doubt, wear gray: Charlene Wittstock’s Monaco fashion motto

June 7, 2011

Fashion habits can be tiresome (one of the best things about summer weather is that Kate Middleton/Duchess of Cambridge stopped wearing those black suede boots), but Charlene isn’t boring anyone yet. No doubt the Armani dresses she’ll wear at her civil and religious wedding ceremonies will be WHITE, but for now the future Princess of […]

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Prince Albert of Monaco takes the gold in wedding prep

May 30, 2011

In all these decades of waiting for the right girl, Prince Albert may have been a Secret Wedding Planner. How else to explain the seamless and tasteful wedding preparations in Monaco? I bet the Prince has been jotting down wedding notes over the years. Perhaps there’s something to be said for an Older Groom? Part […]

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Royal weddings — how to tell if you’re in England or Monaco

May 29, 2011

Tea towel = England Silk fan = Monaco

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Catherine and Michelle, together at last

May 24, 2011

Who cares about the men? The guys cropped out of this particular photo are the President of the United States and Prince William of Wales. The main attraction was the first meeting of two women we love to read about: Michelle Obama and HRH Princess William/Duchess of Cambridge/hope of the royal family/Kate. Shimmering FLOTUS in […]

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A ‘Tequila Sunrise’ for the Monaco royal wedding

May 14, 2011

Latest tidbit re the summer nuptials of Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock — The Eagles will perform the night before the wedding, in a concert for the people of Monaco. Is that a threat or a promise? It’s a bad idea for so many reasons: 1)  Prince Albert should be trying to minimize […]

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