One of the royal hat wearers with the most distinctive style is Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands who celebrates her 77th birthday today. Just as we have done with other royal birthdays so far this year, we will use this celebration today to consider which one of Princess Beatrix’s past hats you would like to see come back into service this year. My pick is this Suzanne Moulijn design in pale grey-beige straw with upturned double brim. I usually prefer Princess Beatrix in more vibrant tones but the diagonal layered brim on this hat frames her face so beautifully, making this one of my favourites in her millinery closet.
Is there a particular hat you would like to see Princess Beatrix repeat in 2015?
Princess Beatrix attending the 85th birthday of the Rheuma Foundation in The Hague, November 18, 2011
Photo by Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis
74 years ago today, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor presented a polo trophy at a match held in Nassau, Bahamas, their home during the second world war. For this event, the Duke wore a straw boater hat while the stylish Duchess wore a calot hat with fluted brim framing her face. From this photo, it’s hard to imagine that Europe was in the throes of war (and that this couple had been at the center of one of the greatest royal scandals of the 20th century).
Royal Hats 
