Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo celebrates her 50th birthday today. A busy advocate of culture, education and sport, this Spanish princess is not a prolific royal hat wearer and unfortunately, we seldom see her in a hat. Elena’s hat style has leaned toward the traditional, with understated embellishments.
In Seville in1984; at the christening of Prince Philippos of Greece July 10, 1986; in Paris, December 1994;
at the wedding of her cousin Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece in July 1995; In Spain December 2011
In recent years, we have seen Elena most often in a casual, sporting hat (as she wore in October and July this year)
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At tennis, June 10, 2012; at equestrian events in May 2011 and July 2008; enjoying Spain’s FIFA win in July 2010
While Infanta Elena’s millinery style is usually understated, sporty and casual, she had a brief period of over-the-top dramatic (and very memorable) picture hats hats she chose for a series of weddings a decade ago. These hats still make me smile.
Infanta Elena at the weddings of: Princess Victoria of Bourbon Two Sicilies in September 2003;
Princess Alexia of Greece in July 1999; and Infanta Cristina of Spain in October 1997
The millinery I associate most, however, with this elegant Spanish princess, is the traditional lace mantilla and high peineta comb. She wears this regal headpiece so very, very well.
October 1983; at her brother Prince Felipe’s wedding May 22, 2004;
in Seville, May 2008; at the Madrid Military Base in April 2004
I suspect some of these hats might be new to some readers and I’m curious to hear what you think about Infanta Elena’s past hats and millinery style! I’m sure you will also all join me in wishing her a very Happy 50th Birthday.
Photos from Cotilleando; The Greek Royals; Cardinale-Le Segretain via Corbis; The Royal Forums; Europa Press via Getty; Ian Langsdon via Corbis; Xaume Olleros/Getty Images Europe; Alberto Moante via Corbis; Europa Press via Getty; Lavoz Libre; Lavoz Libre; Lavoz Libre; Alvaro Rodriguez and Albert Gea via Corbis; Hola Magazine; and Lalo Yasky via Getty
Royal Hats 
Thanks for the compilation!
My personal favourites are the e3rd row of photos reminding us of glamorous Infanta Elena and 4th row of photos. In my personal opinion, no one in the Spanish royal family wears the traditional lace mantilla and high peineta comb better than her.
I suspect that the Infanta’s then husband, Don Jaime de Marichalar (a regular at Paris fashion shows), had a hand in acquiring the three picture hats above. After their divorce in 2010, the Infanta reverted to her more subdued style.
After seeing the first 2 rows of hat photos I was going to take a nap and then JOLTED back to hat love with those three FABULOUS hats!.
It is nice to see some hats from Spain’s royal family. They do not wear hats on a regular basis. I “kinda, sorta” like the purple hat from December 2011…the other ones not so much. I also almost like the hat she wore to her sister’s wedding in October 1997…the shape of the crown is what ruins this hat for me. However, the lace mantillas and combs are truly elegant. Infanta Elena wears some very beautiful clothes…if only her hats complimented them.