Viscount and Viscountess Linley gathered with other mourners yesterday in Woodstock to pay final respects to the 11th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill. Serena wore an angular beret in black textured woven straw trimmed with a pair of clipped black feathers.
The Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, Lily Spencer-Churchill, wore a black straw lampshade shaped hat with rolled crin underbrim and crin rosette at the side.
Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece were also in attendance (it appeared that Princess Marie-Chantal did not wear a hat).
Royal Hats 
It appears that the late Duke’s third wife Rosita, Duchess of Marlborough is related with several royal families.
She is a sister of Elizabeth, Duchess in Bavaria, and an aunt of Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein.
Rosita, Duchess of Marlborough was among the mourners
Hat Queen, I think your comments in regards to this occasion are just perfect. Not a lot of commentary. It is a hat-wearing occasion, so we can voice opinions. Both hats on the Dowager Duchess and Vicountess Linley are lovely and appropriate.
I think both of their hats are quite lovely and appropriate. I wish that hats were still a requirement in Catholic Churches as I find a covered head in church so very nice. I love to see old pictures of my Mom and aunts in hats! Thank you Hat Queen, for showing us pictures of all hat wearing occasions.
I like your site, but think talking fashion at funerals is tacky.
We are not at a funeral talking fashion. That would indeed be tacky. We are merely commenting on the hats as we do every day at every other event. Lighten up. This blog is about fun. With everything going on in the world today its a nice form of escapism. That being said, I think that the Dowager Duchess’s hat is very appropriate for a funeral and she wears it well.
Well I guess my point is a funeral isn’t about fun. And using funeral fashion as a form of escapism from the daily grind strikes me as tacky. So we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
Funerals are a tricky thing to navigate. My approach has been to report on hats worn at funerals but hold back on any commentary, previous wearings and questions inviting readers’ thoughts. Royal funerals are usually covered as news items in the general media and I have taken my cue from this approach. I understand that not everyone will agree.
Yes and it’s a very respectful approach. Thank you for your excellent coverage.
Thanks HatQueen, I agree with you.
I respect your opinion Pam, however, I disagree. We are not at a funeral. We are merely doing a critique of the hats worn by people who are public figures, and who expect to have what they wear discussed by the public, and who have allowed photographers there. The photos are widely published, so it isn’t like we are being intrusive at a private funeral.
more pics:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2806349/Flag-half-mast-Blenheim-Palace-Mourners-line-route-funeral-cortege-11th-Duke-Marlborough-died-aged-88.html
Lily, Duchess of Marlborough wore a hat with rosette at the side.
Indeed it was- as seen in this photo. Thanks, Jelsta.
Thanks for this link jelsta. While it is sad when anyone dies, the Duke was 88 years old and he had lived a good life. It was a very dignified event and I think the guests were dressed appropriately.
Lady Linley’s shiny straw hat seems out of place at this time of year, and it doesn’t fit her head very well. It seems too small. The Duchess’s hat is very nice. It is large without being overpowering, and it suits her air of sadness.
Here is a better view of Serena’s hat, which extends down the side of her head
I like Serena’s hat better in this view. It looked a bit too small for her head from the front. I really liked her outfit. The Dowager Duchess of Marlborough looked good in the black straw lampshade shaped hat, which is a hat shape I don’t often like.