Colour Blocking Royal Style

If you were in any doubt that bright, bold colour blocking is de rigueur this summer, hopefully this image of the British Royal Family on Friday evening will set aside your concerns. Never known for their stylish, trend-setting abilities (except for Princess Di and now Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge), the Royals have stepped up their game recently and have begun to understand the power of the, well, power-frock. And this summer all the power is in the colour.

Kate busted out the green DvF dress she wore over in the US last month, for the occasion. And her new cousins-in-law followed suit. I thought Princess Eugenie looked really lovely in the red. That neckline is super-flattering and very good for her complexion. Princess Beatrice made a fantastic choice of colour - that new stylist is working hard for her money - but went and spoilt the look by adding that ginormous butterfly belt to the dress, ruining the proportions and the emphasis on colour and silhouette. Shame, man. And then there is that new one-to-watch, Sophie Wessex. Tapping into the new 40s vibe and looking the most elegant of the lot, she could have gone a bit brighter and pinker to really work with the rest of the girls. But, still, remains my pick for best dressed of the night. What do you think? Am I being to hard on Bea? Is Kate in danger of being eaten alive by her hair? Is Sophie the new royal style icon? Answer these and any other question you choose in the comments below...