When you look at the trimming on Queen Elizabeth’s many hats, you will see a plethora of bows, feathers, flowers, leaves, poufs and even bits of fur. One of her milliners, Rachel Trevor Morgan, has trimmed a number of hats with unique flowers crafted from individual feathers. The likeness of these ‘plumed blooms’ is remarkable.
Hibiscus and Amaryllis
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On a tour of Canada, June 30, 2010; At an April 30, 2012 Diamond Jubilee walkabout at Windsor
Spider Chrysanthemum
At an April 9, 2014 recital by the Royal College of Organists to commemorate their 150th anniversary
Dahlia and Carnation
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During a February 2, 2011 visit to Norwich; on a November 28, 2012 visit to a Windsor hospice
Alstroemeria
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At the Epsom Derby, June 2, 2012; on a visit to East London, July 16, 2015
I think this creative combination of two common hat embellishments- the feather and the flower- is brilliant. Too often, we see feathers on royal hats that stick out madly in odd directions. Rachel Trevor Morgans use of feathers to create delicate flowers gives more polish and purpose to feather embellishment and creates the most wonderful optical illusion from afar. What do you think of using feathered flowers to trim Queen Elizabeth’s hats? Which hat stands out to you most?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Yes, these are lovely. I must say, I’d never really looked at the feather flowers closely enough to distinguish them, but seeing them in close-up and looking properly, it’s perfectly obvious that they are different specific flower types.
I never realized that these feather flowers were so detailed and modeled after real flowers. Or that they were made by the same designer! These hats are so beautiful and I don’t even usually like feathers on hats!
Thank you HatQueen, this is a lovely post!
Such a treat to see all these together. Mr Fitzroy’s personal favorite is the black Dahlia with the aqua suit. The Alstromeria is pretty wonderful too.
Cheers to Ms. Trevor Morgan for such a sterling line up, all of these examples are exceptionally charming hats! They make one think of a line from the film ‘Singing in the Rain’ — “Never underestimate what a cunning hat can do!”
I love the feather flowers, I think my favorite is the spider mum – gorgeous!
I love them all, but the Hibiscus is just amazing, and goes so well with HM’s outfit.
I love them all but especially the plum-coloured hat – the queen looks good in pastels and dark colours… these hats are exquisite!
these are all stunning, but if I had to pick one favorite it would be the purple one. So clever to use the feathers in an unexpected way! that shows true artistry!
All six of these hats are among Queen Elizabeth’s best hats.
Many of these hats follow a pattern: single color of the hat is based on the color of the coat; hat trim is inspired by the dress. In the examples above the dress shows. When the Queen wears a coat buttoned to the neck, however, one can’t see the dress, and sometimes I wonder whether all the effort going in to the hat is lost on the audience. (Then when she wears just the dress for an investiture, she does not wear the hat.)
Thank you for such an informative post.
I like these all but think te Hibiscus is particularly successful. HM looks luminous.
I like all 6 (six) of the hats equally. They all coordinate so beautifully with HM outfits:)
I don’t think do given any thought to the fact that these are feather flowers. Excellent research as per. Isn’t it interesting that the embellishment is always just on one side…. (Or is that just me?!)
Many formal hats feature embellishment on one side. I think that is to create a focal point on the hat. What’s interesting here is that Rachel Trevor Morgan often raises the brim on the non-embellished side to create balance.
To my eye the feather-flowers are most pleasing, can look nicer than actual flowers, and keep longer! They adorn some of the hats on my top-10 list. Does Rachel do all these herself or have someone working with her on these specialties?
Those photos just make me smile – beautiful and cleverly done!
Just gorgeous, every one of them! Thank you HatQueen for putting up this beautiful post.