Members of the European Commission named two cities as the European Capitals of Culture 2015 – Mons, Belgium and Plzen, Czech Republic. On Saturday, the ceremony launching Mons into this new role was held at the Sainte Waudru Cathedral and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were in attendance. Queen Mathilde wore a version of a headpiece that gained considerable response here at Royal Hats last year (and tied for your choice for least favourite royal hat of 2014) – the infamous royal antlers. This version, in caramel brown, included a fury headband anchoring the piece.
I continue to be surprised at the number of hats and headpieces worn by Queen Mathilde and Queen Máxima that are the same. As their main milliner is the same, one would think this could easily be avoided. That complaint aside, I can hardly wait to hear your responses on this headpiece!
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This is a new headpiece
Photos from Benoit Doppagne and Benoit Doppagne via Getty
Royal Hats 
From this angle, I think the shape of this piece is almost pretty (relatively speaking, of course). The rounded shape has a greater sense of movement and grace than Maxima’s version, which looked more like it was madly headed off in all directions.
Thank you HatQueen for showing how the angle of Queen Mathilde’s headpiece is improved in this view, but I still don’t like it and wouldn’t wear it myself. I actually prefer it now now to Queen Maxima’s headpeice, whereas before I favoured the other way around. I think the best example of this type of headpiece was Beatrice Borromeo’s headpiece, but I didn’t really like that one either. I prefer structured hats.
My family and I went into shock when we saw this creation on Queen Mathilde’s head. What question did she ask the milliner? Was it, “Please make me royal antlers like Queen Maxima’s, but make mine caramel brown, and attach them to a furry headband please.”
Love Mathilde, but No Just No.
If you can find a few more, they could pull Santa’s sleigh!
Completely bonkers!!
It’s almost like they’re trying to channel Princess Astrid’s antennae…unsuccessfully. Please, make it stop!
I agree Melly. Princess Astrid’s antennae are stunning and they don’t risk poking someone’s eye out.
They just keep getting worse! Beatrice did it first and did it best. Maxima’s was not good, but at least it was black, which contrasted with her hair. This . . . I mean, I just can’t! There are no words . . .
I agree with what EV says: January 26, 2015 at 4:13 pm. I think that Beatrice Borromeo’s headpiece was the best of the 3, and Queen Mathilde’s is the worst! I do not care for any headpiece that looks like antlers!
The headpiece is bad, and the moth eaten looking headpiece sets it off a treat.
I think the placement of the headpiece could be altered or perhaps the headband could be hidden underneath her hair. See Donna Beatrice Borromeo (longtime girlfriend of Pierre Casiraghi of Monaco) similar headpiece worn to the Luxembourg wedding on September 21, 2013: https://royalhats.wordpress.com/tag/beatrice-borromeo/
Love it….it actually looks good on her.
This one of the most UNattractive headpieces I’ve seen, however if it was created by a preschool child of hers, I might have a more sentimental outlook about it.
MrFitzroy is waiting with baited breath for the DrSeuss book about….
Little Mathilde Lou Who,
who’s antennae numbered no more than two.
love it!
You are a poet but you don’t know it MrFitroy!
I would never be able to wear that hat, but that is part of it’s charm for me. Queen Mathilde takes a lot of risks with her hats, and so does Queen Maxima, and they always look amazing. There is something very charming about this headband hat, and even though I don’t want to like it, I do. I think a big part of it is Queen Mathilde’s ability to carry off a different look with elegance and humor.
No dear — it’s a big no, no, no in my book! Can you imagine sitting or standing next to anyone wearing a antler headgear? You might get your eye poked out!
I am with you, beachgal, I am not a fan of dangerous, eye-poking headgear. Beatrice Borromeo’s headpiece of two black feathers spiraled round her head, looked like she was sprouting antennae. Queen Max’s was worse still, then Queen Mathilde’s is the worst of the lot, and even the hairband it attaches to looks scruffy.
Apparently they missed the Least Favorite Hat poll.
yes, I wonder they have not heard!
Ha! Perhaps she did hear of our poll and thought she might change our minds about it…!
Must say, Beatrice Borromeo’s look was the most succesful as far as these duo-feathered-headbands are concerned. (https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/luxembourg-royal-wedding-royal-guests/)
Still, I don’t care to see this “competition” extended…
Last year, I thought about facing off these headpieces in a poll but I thought it wasn’t a fair competition. With three now in the mix, we might have to have the contest after all!