Monthly Archives: November 2013

Catching Up With the Imperial Royal Family

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In the midst of a month filled with royal events around the world, I apologize, dear readers, that I have not kept up with the Japanese Imperial Family’s engagements. On November 1, the Emperor and Empress attended at Sophia University’s 100th Anniversary. Empress Michiko wore another one of her signature saucer hats, this one in cream with a charcoal grey trailing flower. With her cream and charcoal graphic suit, the overall look was quite smart.

Empress Michiko, Nov. 1, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

On November 6th, the Imperial Family hosted a tea party for the recipients of the Order of Culture and persons of cultural merits. While Empress Michiko and Princess Kiko wore traditional kimonos, Crown Princess Masako, wore a beautiful creamy pink silk coat dress and matching bumper-style hat. Ordinarily, I would find this hat in need of something – a little embellishment or pop of colour to liven it up. On Masako (who attended this event for the first time in ten years), I thought it was just right.

Crown Princess Masako, Nov. 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Crown Princess Masako, Nov. 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Crown Princess Masako, Nov. 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

And finally, on November 11th, Empress Michiko, Princess Kiko and Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the 474th Concert of Shichikukai at Toka Gakudo, the music hall of Imperial Palace.  Princess Kiko wore a very pale grey hat with wide folded brim while Princess Akiko wore a white bowler style hat with pink ribbon around the crown.

Princess Kiko and Princess Akiko, Nov. 11, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Princess Kiko and Princess Akiko, Nov. 11, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Thanks to reader Owen for his assistance updating these events.

Photos from Imperial Family of Japan,  Imperial Family of Japan and Imperial Family of Japan

Dutch King and Queen in Venezuela

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited Caracas, Venezuela yesterday.  Máxima repeated one of my least favorite headpieces- this pair of silver fabric rings look like the rings of Saturn circling her head. Many of you will recognize it from the christening of Princess Arianne in 2007 when Máxima wore this with a beautifully tailored silver suit. That first wearing, there was something about the suit and the hat combination that worked. This pairing (with a lovely teal lace dress), however, seems to magnify the oddity of this hat. But that’s just my opinion- what do you think?

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: Oct. 20, 2007

Photos from Getty as indicated

Dutch King and Queen Arrive in Colombia

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After completing their visit to the Dutch Antilles, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima continued on to a one-day official visit to Colombia. For this visit today, Máxima repeated a pale pink straw hat with sharply upturned brim and ribbon trim around the crown.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

I thought this regal hat was a great choice to begin this more formal leg of the tour and topped off a beautifully styled ensemble. There has been much conversation here this week about the appropriateness of Máxima’s recent millinery and clothing choices but today, I think she knocked it out of the park.

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

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: September 21, 2010

Photos from Getty as indicated

Dutch King and Queen visit Aruba

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima completed their inaugural Caribbean tour with a second day spent on the island of Aruba. For her final piece of millinery this tour, Máxima made a rather unusual choice- she repeated a pale grey velvet headpiece with open crown and side bow loops. My thoughts about convertible hats aside, I thought choosing a velvet headpiece for an event in a warm, tropical country just didn’t make sense. A wide brimmed straw hat would have been better, don’t you think?

I think the hats from this tour were a little hit and miss. My favourite was the first one we saw- the huge pale pink picture hat worn in St. Maarten. Which one did you like best?

Queen Máxima, Nov 21, 2013 in Fabienne Delvigne | The Royal Hats Blog Queen Máxima, Nov 21, 2013 in Fabienne Delvigne | The Royal Hats Blog

Queen Máxima, Nov 21, 2013 in Fabienne Delvigne | The Royal Hats Blog Queen Máxima, Nov 21, 2013 in Fabienne Delvigne | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: April 17, 2012 

Photos from Dutch Photo Press

Princess Beatrix Celebrates ARCADIS Milestone

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Princess Beatrix attended the 125th anniversary of ARCADIS and Royal Dutch Heidemaatschappij in Amsterdam yesterday (ARCADIS is an international company that provides consultancy, design, engineering and management services in the fields of infrastructure, water, environment and construction). For this celebration, Beatrix wore another one of her giant pillbox hats, this one covered in burgundy feathers. I love Princess Beatrix very much but I’m afraid that when I see this hat, all I can see is ‘bird’s nest’.

Princess Beatrix, Nov 20, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Princess Beatrix, Nov 20, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Princess Beatrix, Nov 20, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer: I believe it is Susanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: Nov 22, 2011

Photos from PPE