King’s Day 2012

Belgium celebrated King’s Day today and members of the royal family attended the traditional Te Deum sung at Cathedrale des Saints-Michel-et-Gudule in Brussels. Queen Paola was not in attendance and Princess Claire did not wear a hat. Princess Astrid and Princess Mathilde, however, were in hats for the celebration service.

On paper, I should dislike Mathilde’s velvet headband- it’s barely a half hat in a burgundy velvet fabric that mildly clashes with her red tweed wool dress and coat. In reality, however, I really like the way this Fabienne Delvigne design frames her face and adds softness, something a velvet hat usually does not do. The burgundy accessories work beautifully against Mathilde’s coat (thanks to the collar and dress in the same colour).

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I love a classic wide brimmed Garbo hat and on its own, this one is fine. It’s just the pairing with those green pants that I can’t bring myself to like.
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Photos from Getty as indicated

Diamond Jubilee Tour: Wellington

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were welcomed at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand today. Their tour is almost over and Camilla chose her last hat appearance to unveil (gasp) a NEW hat! It’s another Philip Treacy (surprise surprise) with a LOT going on- snakeskin, pheasant feathers, and a huge upswept brim. I like to keep my avian and reptilian fashion separate so I’ll take a pass on this one.

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Photos from Getty as indicated

Remembrance Day 2012

The British Royal Family celebrated Remembrance Day today. The Queen placed a poppy wreath of remembrance, as she does every year. While the occasion is somber, she managed to still look very stylish in a black cloche with beautiful folded satin trim and feathers.

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The Countess of Wessex and The Duchess of Cambirdge watched the proceedings from a balcony, also dressed in the uniform of black mourning wear. Kate recycled the wide brimmed Philip Treacy hat she wore to William’s Graduation from Sanhurst in 2006.
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The Countess of Wessex wore a  percher hat with black felt beret base percher hat with three molded arc channels that sweep across it. The hat is trimmed with a large multi looped bow in widely woven black net.
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I think they both looked very smart and stylish while keeping within the more serious mood of the occasion. Well done!
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Photos from Getty as indicated

Diamond Jubilee Tour- Auckland

Charles and Camilla continued their Jubilee Tour today in Auckland, New Zealand and attended an Armistice Day ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial.  After yesterday’s rather plain straw hat, Camilla returned to her usual display of feathers, which nearly flew away during a strong breeze. I love the shape of this hat (which we saw at last year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in London) and the slightly raised brim on one side, but I wonder if the plethora of feathers upon it makes it look a little too much like a creature from the Muppets.

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Designer: Philip Treacy

Photos from Getty as indicated

Diamond Jubilee Tour- Canberra

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall concluded the Austrialian leg of their Diamond Jubilee tour today by visiting the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. This tour is shaping up to be the “Tour of the White/Cream Hat” as Camilla wore her fourth white/cream hat in less than a week. This one was a repeated cream straw hat previously worn during a visit to Melville Barracks in 2011 and at Epsom Downs in 2009. The shape is a little rounder than Camilla usually wears and I think it suits her. I love the tilted brim and the simple bow, although the colour is a little bland. If forced to choose, I’ll press the “Like” button on this one.

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Designer: Lock and Co.

Photos from Getty as indicated