The Countess of Wessex celebrates her 49th birthday today. I think Sophie is looking better than ever these days and her collaboration with British milliner Jane Taylor is one of the most exciting ones in all of royal millinery (and yielded two of our top ten royal hats in 2013). I can not imagine a better pairing than Sophie and Jane… so my pick for the Countess is something completely different. Vintage, simple and classic. I think this black cocktail hat with pearls and net veil would be dynamite on Sophie.
The designer of the hat above(left) is unknown; the hat on above right was designed by Nerida Fraiman. I’m curious, dear readers, what hat would you like to see on the Countess of Wessex this year?
NOTE- It is also Queen Mathilde’s birthday today. Think about what hat you want to suggest for our newest European Queen- we will celebrate her tomorrow!
Photos from James Nader and Harrods
Royal Hats 
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0239/4825/products/Berlinia_grande.jpeg?v=1373318820
I think this one by Gina Foster would look great on the Countess.
Bundle MacLaren. Ah-mazing!
http://bundlemaclaren.co.uk/184-madison/
Sophie can wear A HAT so let’s give her one!
I believe the designer is Jane Hemmings Millinery
I don’t usually like these modern abstract hats but this one I like! I have picked a similar type hat but with a traditional brim for Sophie. I think it would be a good winter hat for her. I think the designer is HatMaker but I’m not sure.
This would be SUCH a fashion moment for the Countess. Zara Carpenter.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zaracarpenter
A little Dalek for the Duchess?
http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/164522067/45-off-sale-exterminate-exterminate-the?ref=shop_home_active_3
The vintage pearl cocktail hat is glorious. This option is still dramatic and modern but with a slightly more classic look. I can not find who the designer is.
Minus the feathers, that is a beautiful hat. You’d never think pink black and white would look so good together.
I think the Gina Foster medallion hat you chose for Kate would be better for Sophie.
http://www.lovehats.com/p/gina-foster-malplaquet
I like Sophie’s cocktail hats. She looks amazing in Jane Taylor but I think this would be great on her. I love the black and white twisted bow.
Sophie is one of the only royals who wears really creative and interesting hats. Her millinery are pieces of wearable art and I wish she wore the millinery creations of other creative designers. Like this.
This is a fairly famous hat, designed by New York based milliner Cigmond Meachen.
She looks best in a couture hat
I like the vintage hat you chose for the Countess but I do not think it would be flattering on her. A vintage hat like this one however would be beautiful.
This is a stunning hat! I really like the idea of royals wearing vintage hats but I wonder how they would hold up to real life wear?
Call me old fashioned and sentimental but I would love to see Sophie in a 1950s inspired dress with a hat like this for Ascot this year.
The pearl hat looks like it is covered in bubbles. Too prissy.
It’s hard to top Jane Taylor hats for Sophie because it IS a match made in heaven. Once in a while, I’d like to see her in something sleek and clean.
http://mademoisellearielle.tumblr.com/post/42277432387
I love that shape but it’s too plain for Sophie
#2 http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/photos/derby-hats-0
What about something riding inspired for the races? She always looks good in blue
http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/152991461/day-to-night-dobbie-ladies-top-hat?ref=shop_home_active_8
Let’s please name the designer when possible. I believe this is made by House of Nines Tricia Roush.
I like the idea of a riding hat shape for Sophie. Holly Young’s hat (4th one down) would be stunning with the Countess’ hair back in a chignon and one of her Roland Mouret body glove dresses.
http://www.wedmagazine.co.uk/wedding-hats-cornwall-holly-young-andrea-pennington.html
The House of Nin hats are fabulous. I would love to see something riding inspired on Sophie but with a little more pizzaz. I adore this hat!
http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/165060255/the-bird-series-peacock-mini-top-hat?ref=shop_home_feat_1
pink flowers for Sophie
I have been waiting for this! I so want to see Sophie in Jane Corbett.
http://www.janecorbett.co.uk/Hat_Gallery.html
I would like to see Sophie is a feminine, wide-brimmed straw hat, that does not look s if it has had to be nailed to her forehead to ensure it stays in position, as I feel Sophie’s hats are wont to do. Sophie is becoming more attractive as she ages, rather a fine wine type of maturity.
http://www.churchhats.biz/servlet/the-708/black-wide-brimmed-dress/Detail
Obviously, I would love to see here wear one of mine! A hat by Sophie for Sophie. I think this one would be my choice! https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/176299232/
Absolutely lovely! The colour would be beautiful on Sophie and I like the scale of the design. Sometimes, I think her hats a too large for her.
Thank you!
I love this headpiece!
Thank you!
I would like something in sleek charcoal grey for Sophie
Without the feathers, that would be a very nice hat. I don’t even mind the black veil hat with the pearls that Hat Queen suggested. It is elegant.
I believe this hat was made by Rachel Trevor Morgan.
Sophie shes so fresh n beautiful she needs a nice summery hat maybe to go with a pink frock
Josie
http://www.bellindahaase.com/#!grid/c6ec
Jaime
http://www.bellindahaase.com/#!grid/c6ec
Yes black & white for the Countess. My pick is more modern and edgy but your vintage pearl hat is stellar.
This hat was made by Rebecca Share Millinery. Let’s please credit the designers of these lovely creations whenever possible!
Sometimes Sophie’s hats are a little over the top. I prefer this http://www.lockhatters.co.uk/MUSICIAN-details.aspx
This hat was made by Lock & Co. Hatters.
It’s certainly a change for Sophie but I love it!
How about this http://www.pinterest.com/pin/14777505001224334/
