And finally, on this Friday, I leave you with two photos released this morning from the Swedish Royal Court. Here is one of our favourite future royal hat wearers, Princess Estelle, sporting some seriously cute head wear at photo session last month. On this heartwarming note- have a wonderful weekend!
Photos from the Swedish Royal Court
King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands welcomed King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium for a visit today (as is customary for a new king and queen to pay a visit to their more senior colleagues). After touring the Hague, the Belgian couple were guests for lunch at in Noordeinde Palace.
Queen Máxima wore a large rounded navy pillbox. While this was an unusually simple hat for her, it was offset by the rather dramatic (and unattractive, if you ask me), navy bow on her dress.
Designer: Bettina Thomas. Dress by Jan Taminau
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Queen Mathilde continued her streak of enviable statement hats with this wave-shaped hat in bright magenta wool felt. A great scale and shape on Mathilde, my only quibble here is the bow on the back of the hat, which is a little sloppy
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This hat is new
It looks like a very enjoyable visit was hat by all. Now – what did you think of the hats?
Photos from Patrick van Katwijk and Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis; Michel Porro via Hello Magazine; and Michel Porro via Zimbio
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the headquarters of SSAFA (Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association) in Central London this morning. Founded in 1885, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association is a British charitable organisation that provides assistance to former and serving members of British Armed Forces and their families. The Queen repeated her turquoise blue wool fabric hat with diagonal upturned brim and flower applique trim. It’s a small hat in size but I think it packs quite a punch of style. I particularly like the jaunty brim.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: Dec. 25, 2012
The Queen and Prince Philip were joined on this engagement by Prince(above) and Princess Michael of Kent. Princess Michael wore an ecru wool felt picture hat with a large rose bloom tucked under the brim. Paired with her greige suit, it was a rather sedate and monochrome look but I suppose that’s what one wears when one goes to work with the queen. I thought Marie Christine’s hat gave a bit of personality to her otherwise quiet ensemble.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Designer: unconfirmed. My guess is John Boyd
Previously Worn: March 30, 2012
Photos from Getty as indicated
Princess Beatrix visited Weeshuis (Orphanage House) in Buren yesterday to celebrate the orphanage’s 400th anniversary. Despite the rainy weather (she is seen below unveiling a commemorative statue in the garden), Beatrix looked quite radiant in one of her single tiered donut hats. This one, in navy straw, featured a domed center crown plopped on top of her regular rounded,oversize pillbox forms. This style of hat is not one of my favourites but it is her signature and it somehow works on Beatrix. Hat complaints aside, I did think she looked beautiful in navy.
Designer: I suspect Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: October 24, 2012
Photos from ANP via RD.nl
The Duchess of Gloucester attended the Homecoming Parade of the Adjutant General’s Corps yesterday at Ward Barracks in Bulford, Wiltshire (members of this regiment were returning from a tour of Afghanistan). For this welcome, Brigitte, who is Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, repeated a taupe straw beret hat. The last time she wore it, I criticized it for being too bland. Yesterday however, I thought it was a great choice for this particular engagement and coordinated very well with her chocolate coat.
Designer: unconfirmed. My guess is Lock & Co.
Previously Worn: June 19, 2013; June 5, 2012
Photos from Press Association via The British Monarchy and The British Army
Royal Hats 