twenty years to this day in 2001 when Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Ohi-Kurata day-care center, the Empress in an aqua silk covered saucer with the most delicate of floral trim.
Utterly charming.
Images from Getty as indicated
Danish Queen Opens 2021 Cruise Season
Queen Margrethe kicked off the 2021 Cruise Season on Tuesday, boarding the Royal Yacht Dannebrog and sailing from the Port of Copenhagen to the sound of the cannons from the Sixtus Battery.
Amidst rough seas, the royal ship was welcomed by a cannon salute of 27 shots at Kronborg Castle in Elsinore.
For this first sail of the season, Queen Margrethe repeated her red felt cloche hat trimmed with a wide, dimensional, striped hatband that ties in a side bow. The pork pie shaped crown gives some variation and height to the shape which is more interesting than balanced, although the scale works well for Queen Margrethe. With her red cape, navy suit and dotted scarf, the hat tops a handsome nautical ensemble.
Embed from Getty ImagesDesigner: likely Per Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: Sep 13, 2017; May 3, 2013 and others
Yesterday, Queen Margrethe was in Humlebaek for the inauguration of a sculpture by artist Per Arnoldi to commemorate the flight of Danish Jews to Sweden in October 1943 during World War II. For this event, she repeated her mint green fabric-covered bumper hat with side split brim curling around pair of feathers. While usually see this hat worn with a matching suit and coat, cool weather mandated its pairing with this warmer ivory coat. The contrast works so well, letting the statement brooch and green hat stand out amidst the neutral tones of the rest of the ensemble.
Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: Sep 5, 2019; May 31, 2019; June 13, 2017; Mar 28, 2017; Oct 3, 2016; Apr 30, 2016;Â Sep 8, 2015;Â Jun 5, 2015;Â May 23, 2015;Â Apr 16, 2015
The Queen’s official boarding thus marks the start of this year’s sailing season which will include a Reunion Celebration in Southern Jutland, voyages to the Faroe Islands and Greenland and stops around Denmark in the the municipalities of Thisted, Esbjerg and FanĂž.
Images from Getty and social media as indicated
Hawaiian Royal Hats: Part 1
Every Wednesday in May, we will be joined by longtime reader and regular commenter Jake, who lives in Washington DC and can be found on Instagram or Twitter @bestdressedmenno, for a series on Hawaiian royal hats. Jake’s previous series on royal menâs hats and suggestions for hats from the wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Maxima, Queen Margrethe and Queen Mathilde warranting repeat have provided both entertainment and education to all of us. Jake- I’m so pleased to welcome you back.Â
To observe the anniversary of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiâi on 17 January 1893, I wanted to offer my fellow Royal Hats readers a look at the hats worn by the royals of Hawaiâi, a place many may not know was once a respected nation. While I could just show you photos of various royal hats, I believe not offering any sort of historical context (especially as almost all of these hats are from 100-200 years ago) would be disrespectful to a people and culture quite different from most of our own. Therefore, these posts will be more wordy than usual, offering up small history lessons in the process, but I hope you will still find them interesting. As much as possible, I try to use the native Hawaiian spellings of names and places. And while I did my best to ensure accuracy, I apologize in advance for any mistakes and hope you will correct me as well. So, without further ado, letâs discover these Hawaiian royal hats!
Kingdom of Hawaiâi
Some of you may be aware that in the 19th Century, Hawaiâi was an independent nation. The Kingdom of Hawaiâi began in 1795 under the rule of Kamehameha I (a.k.a. Kamehameha the Great). The House of Kamehameha ruled for the majority of the Kingdomâs existence before passing to the House of KalÄkaua in 1874.
After its unification, Hawaiâi worked to assert its independence after multiple incursions by foreign powers. In 1842, a delegation was sent to the United States and Europe to gain recognition by others as a sovereign nation. The Anglo-Franco Proclamation of 28 November 1843 officially recognized the Kingdom of Hawaiâi in Europe; the Proclamation was signed by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and King Louis-Philippe of France (King Leopold I of Belgium urged Louis-Philippe to recognize Hawaiian independence). The U.S. did not sign onto this declaration and it wasnât until 1849 the U.S. recognized the Kingdom of Hawaiâi. Hawaiâi was the first non-European indigenous nation to be recognized as an equal to the Western powers.
Many people find the genealogy of European royals to be quite intertwined and confusing, but keeping straight who is who in the Hawaiian Royal Family is sometimes even more difficult. The Polynesian practice of informal adoptions, known as hÄnai was quite common among Hawaiians of all classes, as was the use of multiple names (both formal and informal) and possibly changing names if a name was deemed harmful (i.e. seemed to bring bad luck). Surnames were not used until the 1860 Act to Regulate Names, which worked to codify how children should be named; despite this act, many Hawaiian royals still had multiple name changes in their lifetimes. Therefore, I try to use what is generally considered a personâs most popular name or combination of names when identifying them, whether they are Hawaiian or English names, or both.
With that brief historical introduction to get us acquainted with the Kingdom of Hawaiâi, letâs move into what this blog is all about: royal hats! Traditionally in Hawaiâi, hats have not been a common accessory, although the mahiole feather helmet were worn by the highest ranking men of the aliâi (Hawaiian noble class); most other hats came from outside influences. As a monarchy that came to be seen as equal to European kingdoms and principalities, Hawaiian royals quickly integrated Western-style outfits and fashions into their wardrobes, which included hat styles common for the 19th Century.
Embracing the West While Maintaining Tradition
King Kamehameha II and Queen KamÄmalu traveled to London in 1824; on the way they met with Emperor Pedro I of the newly formed Empire of Brazil and exchanged gifts. Once in London, they made quite an impression (being dark-skinned, of course), especially as Queen KamÄmalu was over 6 feet tall. While there, they were dressed according to European customs, and a turban worn by KamÄmalu apparently became quickly popular among Londonâs society ladies.
Unfortunately the King and Queen contracted measles and died in July 1824 in London; they were both only in their 20s. Despite this great sadness, they were the first of multiple Hawaiian royals to visit the U.K. and this helped begin a long relationship with the British Royal Family. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, later visited Hawaiâi in 1869.
Western fashions continued to become more common among the Hawaiian royals, as seen on King Kamehameha IV in a military dress uniform, including ceremonial hat.
His wife, Queen Emma, is shown below wearing a traditional Victorian headdress and bonnet. Queen Emma bonded quickly with Queen Victoria during a visit to the U.K. in 1865, both being widowed at a younger age. Queen Victoria was also a godmother to Emmaâs son Albert Kamehameha, who unfortunately died at age 4 in 1862.
Unfortunately photos of Hawaiian royals remain fairly scarce, but here are some I hope you enjoy:
Crown Princess Victoria KamÄmalu, sister of King Kamehameha IV and granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, wears a star-trimmed kokoshnik-shaped hat in this 1865 photo.
David KalÄkaua, who would later be chosen king, wearing a jaunty straw hat c. 1850 at age 14.
King KalÄkaua holds a boater hat while meeting Robert Louis Stevenson in this c. 1889 photo.
Princes Jonah KĆ«hiĆ, David KawÄnanakoa, and Edward Keliâiahonui are seen here in cadet uniforms and caps.
Princess Poâomaikelani, younger sister of Queen Kapiâolani (King KalÄkauaâs wife) in a small hat with an upturned brim typical of the late Victorian era (below left).High Chieftess Miriam Auhea KekÄuluohi Crowningburg, a second cousin of King Lunalilo, was photographed wearing a beautifully detailed Victorian straw percher hat with floral and ostrich feather trim and ribbons hanging off the back (below right)..
The following video offers helpful explanation of the Hawaiian royal family tree.
Jake- what a fascinating start to this series and view at some wonderful Victorian hats. I look forward to Part 2 next week!
Images from Getty and social media as indicated; The Bishop Museum; Wikipedia Commons
Dutch Monarchs Mark Remembrance Day
King Willem-Alexander and Queen MĂĄxima attended the National Remembrance Ceremony at Dam Square today.
The Dutch queen always wears a black hat for this event and today she wore a layered felt turban.
At first glance, it appeared a repeat of this layered black felt turban. Closer inspection, however, shows the hats to be different- the design today features smaller layers, a narrower brim cuff (on the opposite side!) and a larger crown. Furthermore, the hat today is made of a lower nape felt that is noticeably smoother than the longer pile melusine felt of the previous hat. These slight tweaks give today’s hat a more refined feel, all around. With her dress, cape and pearl jewels, the hat tops an elegantly restrained look so well suited to this event.
Designer: unknown. Massimo Dutti dress.Â
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
What do you thin about Queen MĂĄxima’s new turban?
Images from Getty and social media as indicated
Hat From The Past
around 100 years to King George V and his most royal of gardening hats.
Brilliant share this week by the Royal Collection Trust!
