Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands attended the 135th anniversary celebration of “The Friesian Horse Studbook” in Leeuwarden yesterday- a royal society dedicated to preserving the history of the Friesian Horse. For this celebration, Beatrix wore one of her signature Suzanne Moulijn designed brimless hats in shimmering gold straw.
Designer: Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: March 9, 2011
Photos from Albert Nieboer via PPE and Dutch Photo Press
Well, dear readers, when I introduced our plan to celebrate royal birthdays this year, I did not expect you to respond with such gusto! Over 100 hats were suggested for the Duchess of Cambridge on her birthday this week. Amazing! Several of you let me know how cumbersome it was to go through all the comments to link to the photos. I apologize that you are not able to post direct photos, but I have brought up images from your links for each comment. I am working to move this blog off of wordpress next month (we’ve grown too big!) and the new blog will have better commenting options.
In the meantime, head back over to Kate’s birthday post and scroll through the comments to see all of the hat suggestions made for her. You, dear readers, have put forward some awe-inspiring hats. I can’t wait to see what you suggest for our next royal birthday girls. For those of you wanting to get a head start, the royal birthdays in January include: Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Princess Claire of Belgium, the Countess of Wessex, Queen Mathilde, Princess Caroline of Hanover and Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Photos combined from WPA Pool via Zimbio and Love Hats
The annual Ceremony of New Year’s Lectures was held today at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo (members of the Imperial family attended expert lectures in the fields of human, social and natural sciences). While Empress Michiko did not wear a hat, Princess Kiko wore a beautiful navy pillbox. I can not find record of Kiko wearing this hat previously so can only guess that it is new.
Closeup photos of the other royal ladies do not appear to have been released. Princess Hanako was in forest green velvet with a coordinating hat that looks to be trimmed with a large green feather. I believe it is Princess Hisako in the vibrant turquoise hat and suit. The other hats appear to be de rigueur unadorned pillboxes in soft pastel colours.
The Imperial ladies were all in court dress (long gowns and hats) for this event. I suspect this is traditional dress- does anyone know exactly why?
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan
The funeral of Countess Anne-Dorthe of Rosenborg was held yesterday at Lyngby Church. Some of you might remember the funeral of her husband Count Christian in May this year (Count Christian was Queen Margrethe’s first cousin). The funeral was attended by Prince Henrik and Queen Margrethe who wore her small black hat with fur cuff.
Princess Elisabeth, sister of the late Count Christian, wore a black bowler hat with a ribbon-edged brim.
Christian’s brother Count Ingolf of Rosenborg wore a black fedora. His wife, Countess Sussie, wife of Christian’s brother Ingolf, wore black hat with flat brim and crown, wrapped in a wide band of textured black fabric.
Count Christian and Countess Anne-Dorthe’s three daughters, Countess Camilla, Countess Josephine and Countess Feodora were all in sedate black hats. Loosing both their parents in the past year is a tragedy for them and I’m sure you join me in wishing them peace in their grief.
Photos from Niels Ahlmann Olesen/Scanpix 2014 via BT.dk and Polfoto via MSN
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
Royal Hats 