This Week’s Extras

In Cape Town today, Queen Mathilde repeated a beige calot trimmed in overlapping crescents, all in abaca fibre. The slightly wobbly and bumpy finish lets the piece down for me.

Embed from Getty Images
On Thursday, Princess Hanako wore a striking variation of a top hat with tall navy crown, upturned cream brim and wide swath of cream net tulle.

On Thursday, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited Øvresetertjern for the 20th anniversary of the Norwegian Guide and Scout Association’s annual fundraising campaign. Cozy knitted winter hats were worn.

Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones was photographed in a fashion editorial for Tatler magazine in a lilac feather covered hat by William Chambers.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week (see the comments for more):

Hat From the Past

Royal Hats forty years to go March 25, 1983 when the Princess of Wales repeated her wedding going-away outfit in Canberra during her first Australian tour. The pale coral Bellville Sassoon suit and John Boyd tricorn hat with that marvelous ombre dyed plume combined for such a memorable look.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Images from Getty as indicated

Belgian State Visit to South Africa

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde kicked off a state visit to South Africa today.

Embed from Getty Images

For their arrival in Pretoria, Queen Mathilde topped a pink dress with an ecru straw saucer hat with extended bias brim described by the designer as a “large asymmetric hat is made of natural fibers.”

Embed from Getty Images

The sleek design is a great counterpoint in both colour and shape to Mathilde’s draped silk dress; the ensemble is beautifully styled, the statement earrings giving a welcome hit of pizzazz to balance the unembellished hat. It’s a great look for her.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Milliner: “Johanna” design by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

South African Minister for Social Development Lindiwe Zulu wore a burgundy and black headwrap that deserves acknowledgement. It’s so striking.

Images from Getty as indicated  

Last Week’s Extras

Princess Hisako wore a charcoal hat with short brim and grey trim for a national wheelchair race, and a pale celadon green and white hat for a photo exhibition

The new Duke of Edinburgh looked dashing in a tweed flat cap

Crown Prince Frederik presented the “Queen’s Clock” military award

Zara Tindall wrapped up this year’s Cheltenham Festival in a beautiful cerise silk percher with silk abaca looped bows and hydrangea flower blooms by Juliette Botterill. Her mum, Princess Anne, repeated a navy felt trilby that’s hat a haircut of previously held trims.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

 

Legendary millinery Marie O’Reagan died on March 10, 2023 at the age of 97. Beyond making more than 200 hats for Queen Elizabeth, her legacy in the millinery industry as a  is immense (Point De Vue)

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week (see the comments for more):

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks in Aldershot today. Catherine attended the parade for the first time as the new Colonel of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards (the outgoing Colonel is Prince William!).

Embed from Getty Images

For this event, the princess wore a vibrant turquoise coat and matching hat described by the milliner as, “A wonderfully romantic hand-sculptured heart-shaped cocktail hat. Made from a luxurious felt with a matching pleated crin detail which fans around this stunning-shaped hat.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Kate often wears green for this event but the deep teal is a brilliant choice, not only because it looks lovely on her but because it stands out so well at this parade while still being visibly connected to the traditional green. The familiar scale of this design works well on her and the crin trim gives lovely lift and liveliness.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Milliner: bespoke version of the Clio design by Jane Taylor. Coat by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Prince William wore the uniform and cap of Colonel of the Irish Guards.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

What do you think of the Princess of Wales’ new hat?

Images from Getty as indicated