This wedding was attended by a number of “minor” royals from across Europe. Princess Maria-Laura of Belgium, who is also Archduchess of Austria-Este through her paternal side, wore a brimless bright pink hat with swarthy net veil.
Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor, seen here behind Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen of Austria, were the only members of the British royal family in attendance (although their attendance was not in an official capacity but a personal one). Lady Nicholas wore a new hat that is difficult to see here but that appears to be a brimless sphere in cream straw. I think it’s a great shape for Paola although I will wait for a better view to weigh in further.
Fürstin Gabriela zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn wore a very beautiful beige picture hat with a diagonal band that wrapped around the crown down to the brim, edged in black. I think the hat would be improved with the removal of the red carnation flower but it is still a beautifully shaped hat. (On a side note, I get a kick out of Gabriela’s husband Fürst Alexander stealing some happy iphone snaps in the second shot!)
Archduchess Alexandra of Austria topped her cream suit (I love the pleated ruffles around the cuffs and collar) with a classic black cartwheel-brimmed hat. The oversize bow on the hat was not to my taste and made the hat look rather dated.
Archduchess Hélène of Austria wore a very small grey ribon fascinator. I was disappointed in this headpiece; Hélène’s beautiful sharply graphic suit could have carried a much more dramatic hat and I thought this crumpled bit of ribbon did not measure up. Hélène’s daughter Archduchess Priscilla of Austria wore the same cream hat she wore to Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen’s wedding last year. This hat is fascinating to me because underneath the mass of wide ribbon trim this hat is a simple straw bowler. I think the ribbon trim makes the shape work very well and it is very flattering on Priscilla’s oval-shaped face.
While not officially a royal, Donna Beatrice Borromeo attended with her longtime partner, Pierre Casiraghi. Beatrice wore a dramatic headpiece of two black feathers that wrapped around her head in a wide spiral. I’m not sure I like the way the headpiece attached to the side of her head but the overall effect of this hat was unique and startlingly beautiful.
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Designer: Philip Treacy
Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria wore one of my favourite hats of the day, a wide brimmed taupe straw picture hat with a short crown. It’s such a fun hat that I thought looked lovely with Anna-Gabriele’s short hairstyle.
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I think the most showstopping hat of the day was worn by Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein. Her choice, a gigantic purple mushroom shaped picture hat trimmed in white edging and voluminous tulle veil, was dramatic to say the least. The hat was a little over-the-top for my taste and I am still perplexed by the outfit she chose to pair it with. Picture hats and turtlenecks just don’t work well together… ever.
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I think this showstopper is a great hat to end my hat coverage of Claire and Felix’s wedding. I’m sure you join me in wishing this lovely young couple a lifetime of love and happiness.
Photos from Getty as indicated; Albert Nieboer and Crystal / Slash News via Corbis
Royal Hats 
Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria wore my favorite hat out of this bunch, this wide brimmed taupe straw hat was elegant and complimented her outfit, though I must say I don’t think ladies should wear pants to a wedding, as I think dresses and skirts look more elegant, especially at a traditional white wedding. I didn’t like Princess Isabelle von und zu Liechtenstein’s plain black pants either, nor did I like her gigantic purple mushroom hat, or the twee bows on her coat. This hat could have worked for a day at the races, but I think it was too loud for a wedding, and could have blocked the view of the bride and groom for those sitting behind her in church.
I am a firm believer in hats at weddings and other church occasions, so I’m not impressed by any of the fascinators. I hated Beatrice Borromeo’s headpiece of two black feathers spiraled round her head, as this looked to me like she was sprouting antennae. It could poke someone in the eye. Overall I wasn’t that impressed with the sartorial choices of the wedding guests.
OMG Beatrice looks ah-mazing. I’m with whoever said this is a work of art. There are no words. Ah-mazing.
Most of the hats in this group look pretty dated to me (80s and 90s). I really like Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria’s mocha hat and I think Beatrice Borroneo’s headpiece is pretty amazing!
I like all the hat’s here excepting for those black curly featheres antennas. What in the tarnation was that pretty girl thinking wearing that black thing with her nice suit?
Yes. That hat looks like a science experiment
I could imagine Princess Michael of Kent of even the Duchess of Cornwall wearing the hat Princess Isabelle wore, but please not in purple!
I cannot believe I am going to say this , but I love Donna Beatrice Borromeo’s feathers. I am quite in shock that I like this. Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria is wearing a wonderful hat. It is my favorite of the day. There is a reason that Princess Isabelle von und zu Liechtenstein’s hat is “unlike any other royal hat we’ve seen.” That reason is no other royal would wear it!
I also like Ahduchess Anna-Gabriele’s hat very much. Sometimes these big picture hats are just too big for a mature woman to wear without looking silly. Maybe it’s the colour and manybe it’s the crown which is a little more flat than most other hats like this.
I always wondered why these headpieces were called fascinators. After seeing Beatrice’s hat, I finally understand why. It is fascinating and magical.
Donna Beatrice Borromeo feather thing is really interesting and I do like it. I really love the one you do – the straw taupe one – perfect. Found the guests wearing slacks is odd however. The purple hat – on my – looks like a bad hat left from the 1980s!
I haven’t heard of most of these people but the hats are great. Beatrice’s headpiece took me a few minutes to figure out but I really like it. You mentioned the girl with the oval face who looks good in the hat with the fluff. I think Beatrice’s fine features and long, graceful neck make this hat work for her. You now have me thinking about how some face shapes help make a hat work!
The Prince and Princess of Ligne with their children Alix and Henri
Thanks, Jelsta! As I recall, the Prince and Princess of of Ligne are Michel and Eleanora, correct? I really like Eleanora’s feathered fascinator on her. It somehow works beautifully with her coloring and hairstyle.
Yes, Michel and Eleanora
She’s a reall pretty lady and eventho I like hat’s better than these feather poofs this one looks real nice with her dress and skirt. Her daughter needed to iron her dress tho. She looks like she rolled outa bed and stuck a plate on her head. That is not looking very royal atall.
I pretty much love all these hats except Beatrice’s saturn rings. They look like they’d poke someone’s eye out! Pierre looks like he can’t get very close. I also think it was a poor choice for a wedding where all eyes should be on the bride, nothing too outlandish or attention-grabbing should be on the guests.
I agree. when you go to a wedding you should wear a pretty and nice hat not something that everyone will stare at you and not the bride. She is rude.
Your thoughts about what royals should wear to a wedding are fair. Deciding someone is rude based on their fashion choice ? That is not OK. There are other blogs to snark on royal personalities. This will never be one of them. Back to hats, please!
To both Buffy and Audrey – if you say that all eyes should be on the bride, then we can pretty much “have a go at” Eugenie, Beatrice for the disgusting creations they wore for Will & Kate’s wedding [and let’s not forget Tara Palmer-Tomkinson], and we can also include all other royals who wear outlandish headpieces.
Indeed, you criticise Beatrice for her minimalist black feathers, but where’s your criticism for the GIANT purple monstrosity – I think this is far more inappropriate and will cause far more staring than Bea’s subtle choice!
You could also extend your shaky argument to any guest wearing bright colours – I mean, that takes attention away from the bride as well…
A hat is a fashion accessory and therefore it’s purpose is to bring some attention to the wearer. I like hats that, like a purse or a pair of shoes, flatter the person wearing them and add a little “zza zza zoom!” to the outfit. Everyone’s tastes will be different and fashion rules have changed so much that anything goes.
Well said Annie Mouse! The real fashion crime here is that purple monstrosity!
I think Beatrice’s hat is pretty and nice. I also don’t think at this wedding she took any attention away from Claire (who looked absolutely amazing). I don’t see anything wrong with this hat. Princess Beatrice of York’s hat at Will and Kate’s Wedding? Now that’s a different story…!!
There is free speech. I am entitled to my opinien.
Absolutely. The comments here, however, need to be about the hats.
WOW. Donna Beatrice Borromeo’s black headpiece? hat? abstract art creation? is just breathtakingly…I can’t…just…what…I’m transfixed by insane admiration and love for it. A genius style coup! (and, let’s face it, a mere mortal without such a beautiful face could not have pulled that off half as well!) GORGEOUS *wibble*
It IS a wearable piece of art. I am also transfixed.
beautiful and stunning
Wow…there were some interesting names/titles in this bunch! I liked the black feather headpiece on Beatrice. And I am always surprised when the women wear pantsuits to a wedding!
Beatrice Borromeo sure knows what to buy to look just striking and modern. The biggest compliment to her!
I totally agree. Her headpiece is really amazing. It’s the hat I will always remember from this wedding.