fifteen years to July 21, 2004 when Princess Claire attended National Day celebrations in a noteworthy toile suit with matching exaggerated fedora hat. Not surprisingly, this ensemble has only been worn once.
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Photos from Getty as indicated
to this day, 102 years ago, in the midst of WWI when Prince Arthur and Princess Alexandra of Connaught attended a society wedding, he in military uniform and she in a lovely picture hat.
Photo from Getty as indicated
Months back, reader Clay wondered about what kind of hat sharing goes on between royals. Our friends over at Luxarazzi have documented numerous hats shared by members of the Luxembourg royal family over the years, and I suspect there are more. Clay recalled Zara Phillips sharing hats with her best friend Dolly Maud- the only one I’ve been able to find is this red felt button percher with pheasant feathers made by Rachel Trevor Morgan.
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Zara Tindall on December 25, 2013; Best friend Dolly Maud in the same hat, March 14, 2014
I know there are other royal hats that have been shared so here we go, dearest readers- this week’s discussion question is: Which royal hats have being shared by multiple different (royal and non royal) people?
Photos from Getty as indicated
to a pair of summer hats, worn by a doppelganger pair of royal cousins, 110 years ago. Despite the handsome nautical hats, there’s there’s an air of tragedy that surrounds this photo, taken at the last visit the future King George V (right) would enjoy with his cousin, Russian Czar Nicholas II.
Photo from the Royal Collection Trust via social media as indicated
When the Duchess of Cambridge arrived for the first day of racing at Royal Ascot this year, some of you had an immediate sense of deja vu. You were right- she wore a similar version of the same hat for Trooping the Colour on June 11, 2016. Here’s a number of side-by-side views to compare:
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Between deceiving camera angles and the slightly lower angle Kate has placed the blue hat on her head, differences between the two designs, aside from colour, are very difficult to decipher.
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While some photos suggest the hats are a slightly different shape, they are both clearly round and, I’m guessing, created from the very same hat block.
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I often find it puzzling when a royal opts for the same hat in two versions but this pair somehow makes more sense- perhaps it’s the colour difference, that while subtle, lends the hats to very different pairings. Perusing through Philip Treacy’s Spring Summer 2019 collection, I honestly couldn’t find a style to pair with this blue skirt and blouse (everything was either too fussy or too stark) that would make a better compliment that this design.
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Which version of this hat do you prefer?
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Photo from Getty as indicated
Thanks to Jimbo for providing the introduction and background research for this “Monday Multiples” series.
Jimbo’s Introduction: Mixing hats with different outfits is not a new millinery phenomenon. Queen Elizabeth, everyone’s favorite and most prolific royal hat wearer, was leading the way 20 years ago! Here is the same hat, worn with a different ensemble each time. Granted, not the most fascinating of designs, this tan straw go-to hat could have been intended as the grab-the-closest-hat-hanging-by-the-door-as-you-make-a-mad-dash . . . we all have one!
Hat: Almond braided straw with upturned kettle brim, trimmed with a multiple strand plaited hatband and rolled circle button at back. Designer unknown.
Look #1: With a pale turquoise tailored suit with stitched lapels worn on April 19, 1999 in Seoul, Korea, on March 29, 2000 in Launceston, Tasmania and on a March 22, 2001 visit to a London publisher.
Look #2: With a deeper turquoise wool bouclé coat worn to welcome a Chinese state visit on October 19, 1999
Look #3: With a black silk dress printed with ivory stemmed flowers worn November 14, 1999 in Durban, South Africa
Look #4: With an ivory bouclé double breasted coat with brass buttons and a taupe silk dress with ivory polka dots worn October 12, 2000 in Manchester
Which outfit do you prefer most with this neutral hat?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Photos from Getty and social media as indicated
