The Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her 32nd birthday today. Instead of looking back at one of her hats (as we did for all royal birthdays last year), let’s celebrate Kate’s birthday (and every royal birthday this year) with a look forward… to the future!

I challenge all of you, dear readers, to celebrate royal birthdays this year by giving each royal a hat! Not just any hat- a hat that you would like to see them wear. It might be a hat similar their current millinery style or it might be a complete departure.  You simply offer up a hat (a photo or a link to a hat) with a brief explanation of why you chose that hat for that royal. If you are a designer, show us which one of your hats you would suggest for that person!

We kick things off today with the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate often wears small percher hats in neutral colours with rather sedate trim- not the kinds of hats that stand out.  I have chosen a hat that is a complete departure for her- Gina Foster’s Malplaquet design. I think the vibrant blue would be beautiful on Kate and the lines of this hat would go well with her clean fashion aesthetic and apparent preference to wear her hair down. This hat does look a little like a ceiling medallion but it is unique (that’s what I love about it most!) and I think it’s time for Kate to try some different millinery styles.

What hat would you like Kate to wear this year? Do you like her percher hats or would you like to see her in something different?

**UPDATE- If you would like to share a hat, please post a link to that hat in your comment (original sources preferred). When I approve your comment, I will link the photo so that it is visible to all readers.

*Note- if you have no idea where to look for a hat to suggest, links to the websites of most royal hat designers is on the bottom of the “In The Design” page . Online hat shops Love Hats, Samuel’s Hats and  also showcases the work of many designers, as does  and 

Photos from Gina Foster and WPA Pool via Zimbio