As one might expect, members of the extended Spanish royal family were in attendance for the May 22, 2004 wedding of the then Prince of Asturias and Letizia Ortiz Rocasalano. King Juan Carlos arrived at Almudena Cathedral with his sister, Infanta Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz. Pilar wore a dramatic magenta straw hat with tall crown and upturned lattice brim that came to a sharp point. The hat was trimmed with a large mass of feathers on the side. It’s not a hat for the faint of heart (which makes me love it) but I still have a hard time seeing it paired with Pilar’s very traditional floral coat.

Pilar’s daughter, Simoneta Gómez Acebo, wore a lime green ensemble that seems best left in the past. Her hat, a chartreuse straw oversize fedora with wide brim and large feather spine decoration, certainly made a statement.

Laura Ponte, who would marry Infanta Pilar’s son Beltran in September 2004, wore a dramatic black vertical saucer hat. The textured hat was trimmed with a giant black feather, a spray of ecru feathers and flowers at the back, and an open weave veil which tightly enclosed her face. Laura, a model, was probably used to such high fashion looks but the hat was a little macabre for my taste.

I assume Infanta Pilar’s other two daughter-in-laws, Bárbara Cano and Mónica Martín Luque also attended this wedding- can anyone help source photos of them at this event?

King Juan Carlos’ other sister, Infanta Margarita topped her mint green dress and jacket with a pale grey fascinator. This headpiece consisted of a side silk bow and a cloud of net tulle which framed the Infanta’s face. I like the unexpected grey and mint colour combination and thought the grey headpiece tied in well with Margarita’s sapphire earrings and necklace.

Margarita’s daughter, María Zurita y de Borbón, topped her beautiful coral coat with a classic straw picture hat. This hat featured a squared crown and was trimmed with chocolate and coral feathers and a front bow. The ensemble was pretty, streamlined and oh-so elegant.

Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria and his wife, Princess Anne of Orléans, were also predictably in attendance. Princess Anne chose a demure her pale green dress and coat and coordinating light, crin headpiece. Their youngest daughter, Princess Victoria of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, topped her bright red coat with a large and very romantic straw picture hat trimmed with peach roses and trailing ribbons. This is a hat I want to love but can’t, thanks to its odd pairing with this coat.

Infante Carlos’ other daughters Princess Cristina, Princess María (Archducess of Austria), Princess Inés and daughter-in-law, Princess Sofia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies were, presumably, also in attendance.

And finally, while not officially related to the Spanish royal family, I can’t bear to leave out the Duchess of Alba. One of the most fearless noble women when it comes to fashion, Cayetana  wore a characteristically whimsical headpiece in pink and green tulle net. This is not the kind of headpiece one expects to see on a duchess of a certain age (Cayetana was 78 at the time of this wedding) and I adore her for it.

There are some unexpected ensembles and hats within this group and I am curious to hear your thoughts. Next up? The hats worn by King Felipe’s other royal cousins- the Greek royal family.

Photos from via Pascal Le Segretain and Pedro Amestre via Getty; El Mundo, El Mundo and El Mundo; El Pais;  El Mundo, El Mundo, El Mundo and El Mundo