Over the past three years, the Duchess of Cornwall has appeared numerous times in several versions of the same hat style. This particular straw hat follows the general shape of a cloche with a long brim that is extended down even further around the front of the hat- this extended brim is folded up in a gently rounded curve over the crown of the hat. Camilla has six iterations of this hat style so far:
Enjoying the Melbourne Cup, November 6, 2012 and Trooping the Colour, June 13, 2014
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At the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, June 3, 2012 and Service of Thanksgiving, June 5, 2012;
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In Wellington, New Zealand on November 14, 2012; at a Palace Garden Party on May 12, 2015
UPDATE: Since this post was published, Camilla has added these iterations of this shape to her wardrobe:
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Christmas Day in 2016
Camilla is able to carry large-footprint hats very well and this style provides a large hat with a brim that does not obstruct her face (it’s no coincidence each of the above hats was worn at a high profile event). It also seems to be a hat style designed to work well with Camilla’s feathered hairstyle, which provides balance to the strong upward movement of the hat. I just wonder if six versions of the same distinctive hat shape is too much of a good thing?
Photo from Getty as indicated
This is her hat. It looks good on her and I think she needs to add this style to autumn and winter fabrics. After all, the Queen wears many similar styles, just changing up the look. She is smart in sticking what looks the best on her.
I think these are all highly successful – Camilla really can pull off the large scale exuberant hat. I suspect that they seem more different to casual onlookers (which, let’s face it, will be most people, rather than hat-lovers like ourselves!) because the trim or the distinctive feature is different; for example, the two with the halo ring create a different impact, although structurally they are so similar. Then the noticeable thing about the one worn in New Zealand is the snakeskin effect and the feathers, while the caramel coloured one, although still big, is really leaving the talking to the patterned outfit. Even the first two have enough variation to seem individual. Anyway, I like them all!
I like all these hats, and I would like to see just one more, a winter version of it, then it is retirement time before we all get bored. If I was buying one of them for myself, I would select the first hat. It has a lightness to it, the lattice pattern is pretty, the cream color is versatile, and it looks good from different angles. Being petite, I would never be able to pull off the snakeskin one, with its dramatic Lady Amhurst feathers, but how I admire the creativity of the milliner for inventing such an amazing hat!
If Maxima can have many “slice” hats (and most of them grey!), then I don’t see why Cams can’t have several of these. These hats are so very Camilla, they suit her. I particularly like the one with feathers, as it changes it up just a bit. Thank you, HatQueen, for posting the pics from the back and side. From the one side they seem a bit unwieldy, definitely a hat to be viewed from the front, but for big events that is mostly how the public would see her so it works. I’ll agree with JamesB, I would like to see that “parquet floor” outfit again.
I was just thinking the same thing! Maxima has so many slice hats and they look so good on her; the same goes for Camilla and these Philip Treacy creations.
I love these all, and as @JamesB and others have said, I wish the Diamond Jubilee service outfit and hat would be repeated sometime again.
My biggest complaint is that most of these are in the same color scheme and there are no fall/winter versions. More colors and more seasons for this hat!
Don’t know about you but I think it is an updated version of the Queen Mothers hats? Maybe a tribute to her ?
It is a sort of oversize version of the Queen Mother’s halo hats, isn’t it?!
That’s what I’m thinking and as Charles and the Queen Mother were so close, it could be a tribute towards his grandmother ?
It’s very popular Philip Treacy’s model. Nothing more
https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/who-wore-it-best-april-poll/
I totally love this hat style, and it’s become Camilla’s iconic look for me. Nobody else is wearing it, and it could veer into the ridiculous, yet she absolutely owns it. It’s dramatic and shows confidence and yet is versatile, as several of these hats get mixed and matched a fair bit.
I love the original one, which was the one worn to William’s wedding, though I was surprised to see a repeated hat that day. I also adore her ‘parquet floor’ outfit, and as said before am surprised to have not seen it repeated.
These are fabulous hats, and Camilla shows real verve and style for wearing them so confidently.
Agreed
I am in total agreement with you James B. Camilla’s iconic look, dramatic, confident, definitely versatile, much loved obviously, verve, style etc etc. I love them all on Camilla. My least favourite would have to be the snake skin one, and the blue one worn to the Garden Party, but only because of the colour. (Camilla looks great in blue usually, most recently and very beautifully at Princess Charlottes christening, just not a fan of this particular shade). My favourites are number one because of the lattice look and the second last one worn to the Jubilee Pageant. Keep them in circulation Camilla, they’re awesome. Thanks HQ.
This hat is “The Camilla” to me…it suits her perfectly and looks fantastic.
Totally agree!
I like this hat shape on the Duchess but it is such a distinctive shape and such a large size, that I think few people could get away with it. I think all these hats have their merits, but I think it’s time to move on to something else now, so we don’t get tired of this shape. I think the first one is the best.
One and Three are my favorites. I love this shape, but if she wants more I’d live to see it in different material, a la Maxima. The last three here seem like they are trying too hard with the embellishment to make them different – not very successful.
I love these hats. From the side view they are so elegant.
I love the first three, the others are beautiful hats but a little “off”. Camilla wears these shapes of hats so well, I never tire of them and each is different in its own way. Very becoming!
Spot on comments.
Too much of a good thing.
She looks lovely….the style suits her.
I really like number four. I donot like number five.
I love the first three, but could leave the last two. They seem off balance, somehow.
I just added one more at the end- I think it’s #4 and #5 you are referring to.
Yup, love the blue.
I think she looks terrific.
What do these look like from behind?
Good question! I have added one to the post and here are a few more.
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She looks so beautiful in this shaped hat.