Monthly Archives: October 2013

Princess Alexandra Looking Well in Chichester

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It was so lovely to see Princess Alexandra of Kent yesterday (she took leave from her royal duties in June due to health reasons) at a visit to Prebendal School in Chichester. For this visit, which included a walk through the school’s memorial garden, a tour of the pre-prep department, attendance at a short concert and unveiling a commemorative plaque, Alexandra repeated a vibrant purple hat with kettle brim and double hatband, one in a darker shade. This is such a great hat and it is wonderful to see Princess Alexandra looking so well.

Oct 24, 2013 | Royal Hats

 

Designer: unconfirmed. My guess is Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: October 30, 2010

Photo from West Sussex Lieutenancy

 

A Closer Look

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Milliner Katie Vale (who you may remember from her amazing guest commentary during Ascot this year) pointed out an interesting piece about the Queen’s christening hat in the comments yesterday:

…there was a large protruding vertical seam up the back of the crown! This is appalling & not correct technique at all! When covering a hat in material you use the material on the bias (diagonal). If that’s done correctly the seam will naturally also be diagonal, and you can work it so that the material nits together very tightly. The seam should therefore be very discrete & subtle. I am genuinely flabbergasted at this, as this is basic technique & is the best way to hide your seam!

Queen Elizabeth. Oct 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Queen Elizabeth. Oct 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

The seam up the back of the hat does not look very attractive. This, combined with the slightly off proportions, makes this hat a miss for me. The only part I like is the colour (which was probably suggested by Stewart Parvin, who designed the coat and dress. I suspect, based on this construction, the hat was made by the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly).

Does this new view and insight change your view about this hat? Thanks to our dear friend, Millinery Designer Katie Vale for pointing this out!

Photos from WPA Pool/Getty via Zimbio

Belgian King and Queen in Eupean

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The Belgium inauguration tour of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde continued yesterday with a visit to the city of Eupen. Mathilde wore another new brimless hat- a ruched and folded calot. While these photos are not the greatest, this hat is falling flat for me. I think it’s the way it’s perched so precariously on the back of Mathilde’s head. I understand the convenience of a brimless hat but this one looks awkward from what we can see here. What I did like, however, was the combination of fuchsia coat with navy skirt and neutral hat. Mathilde tends to match her accessories to the same shade of her clothing and it was nice to see her mix it up a little.

Queen Mathilde, Oct. 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats BlogQueen Mathilde, Oct. 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Queen Mathilde, Oct. 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Queen Mathilde, Oct. 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne

Photos from La Libre

Christening of Prince George: The Guests

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Prince George’s christening today was a very intimate and private affair. Despite the small nature of the event, there were still several hats to behold! Queen Elizabeth wore a new cornflower blue wool hat in the exact shade as her coat. The shape was very simple but that balanced the explosion of ribbon flowers and leaves at the front. If I were to nitpick, I might wish that the crown on this hat was a little lower (something about the proportion seems slightly off in this photo). The Duchess of Cornwall continued her recent trend of smaller hats with this Philip Treacy designed beret. Trimmed with a mass of curling ribbon tails, this hat is a more modern look than we’re used to seeing with Camilla’s millinery but I thought it was fantastic on her. I also thought it was very gracious to go with a hat closer to Kate’s signature shape than her own.

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

2013-10-23 christening 6 250

The only other member of the British royal family in attendance today was Zara Phillips Tindall who was named as one of Prince George’s godmothers. Zara continued the cream/blue beret trend with this new navy velvet felt beret trimmed with a large multi-looped bow designed by Rachel Trevor Morgan (see it here). With her elegant navy dress and coat, I thought she looked very chic.

Zara Phillips, Oct 23, 2013 in Rachel Trevor Morgan | The Royal Hats Blog Zara Phillips, Oct 23, 2013 in Rachel Trevor Morgan | The Royal Hats Blog

The Middleton ladies were also in attendance. Kate’s mum Carole wore a beautiful hat by Jane Corbett, described by the designer as “a soft grey straw trimmed with grey silk satin and delicate vintage lace motifs.” Philippa wore a hand-dyed and beaded cocktail hat with feathers and flowers designed by Edwina Ibbotson. I thought both hats were quite delicate and lovely.

Carole Middleton in Jane Corbett, Oct 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Philippa Middleton in Edwina Ibbotson, Oct 23, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

It was a very coordinated, blue and cream day of millinery for George’s christening today, wasn’t it? Which hat was your favourite? I you haven’t already seen it, you might enjoy watching  the royals arriving for the christening and greeting each other, here.  

Photos from WPA Pool/Getty via Zimbio

Christening of Prince George

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge brought their son, Prince George, to the Chapel at St. James Palace to be christened this morning. Kate wore a new bespoke hat designed by Jane Taylor. This cream straw beret featured a large net bow and ivory handmade silk rose on the side. This hat is not a real departure in terms of millinery style for Kate but I thought it looked lovely on her and was the perfect compliment to her amazing Alexander McQueen suit.