British millinery designer Jane Corbett made an announcement on her blog yesterday– a special line of her handmade, one-of-a-kind hats is now available at Harrods in London. For readers in the UK (or those who will be visiting there this year), you might want to indulge in a lovely bit of hat shopping. You can see some of these designs on Jane Corbett’s blog and on Harrod’s Twitter page. You can also see some of Jane Corbett’s designs worn by the Duchess of Cambridge here, here, here and here.
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
Clarence House, the London home of The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, released the couple’s Christmas card earlier this week. It features Charles and Camilla in two lovely hats, enjoying the second day of Ascot back on June 19 this year. It’s a lovely photo of the couple made all the lovelier with their two beautiful hats.
Designer (The Duchess of Cornwall’s hat): Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: June 14, 2011; April 29, 2011; July 21, 2009; June 16, 2009
Photo from The Clarence House Press Office via the Gloucestershire Echo
If we were able to turn back the clock twenty-five years, one of the designers we would be talking about most on this blog would be Frederick Fox. Australian born Freddie, as he was known, moved to London after completing his training and was called upon to make several hats for the Queen in the late 1960s. By the 1980s, he was not only making hats for Queen Elizabeth, but also the Queen Mother, Princess Alice, Princess Alexandra, Princess Anne, Princess Michael of Kent, the Duchess of Gloucester and the Princess of Wales. He held a royal warrant as “Milliner to the Queen” from 1974 until his retirement in 2002.
Frederick Fox passed away last week in his eighty second year. Here are a few of his hundreds of royal hats and some final words from the millinery genius himself.
Queen Elizabeth, May 1999; Princess Diana in the USA, 1985; Queen Elizabeth in 1983
Queen Elizabeth in Fox hats in April 1989 and October 2000
Queen Elizabeth in Jamaica, February 2002; in 1981; and at the King’s Cup in 2005
Queen Elizabeth in the ‘marble run hat worn in Italy, Oct 17, 2000; at the June 19, 1999
wedding of the Earl and Countess of Wessex; at the June 1988 Epsom Derby
Princess Diana in Italy, 1985; Princess Michael at Ascot, 1996; Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee June 2002
Photos from Tim Graham via Getty; Vogue; Walters/Rex USA via Vanity Fair; Vogue; Vogue; Tim Graham via Getty; Woman’s Day; Chris Jackson, Tim Graham, Ian Waldie, Tim Graham, via Getty; Tim Graham/AP via People; Tim Graham and Tim Graham via Getty
Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Estelle accepted Christmas trees from forestry programme students from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences yesterday. While Princess Victoria did not wear a hat, Princess Estelle looked very festive in a red headband with tiny bloom to match her coat. Adorable!
Photos from the Swedish Royal Court
Royal Hats 