Monthly Archives: July 2015

Queen Máxima Opens Health Support Centre

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Queen Máxima opened a specialized support centre for eating disorders in Zevenhuizen today. For the opening of Leontienhuis, named after founder Dutch racing cyclist Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, Máxima choose a cheery red straw hat. Made of two large petals of straw, the unembellished hat has an open crown.

Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

I know these open-topped pieces are not popular (I am on record for being less than a fan) but they provide an interesting alternative for a casual hat. This one has the most beautiful sense of movement on the brim and the colour is beautiful on Máxima. In the end, I would prefer it with a crown but it remains an interesting piece as is.

Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats Queen Máxima, July 9, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: November 1, 2011; October 29, 2011

What do you think of this vibrant open topped hat?

Photos from Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, Patrick van Katwijk/dpa, and Patrick van Katwijk/dpa via Corbis

One Headpiece, Three Frocks

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Royal HatsFor the recent bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, Queen Máxima repeated a Fabienne Delvigne headpiece made of luminescent silver silk. The open topped headpiece, made of two padded and tapered U-shaped forms that create a ring around Máxima’s head, was met with lukewarm reception when she wore it first in October 2007 at Princess Arianne’s christening. Since then Queen Máxima has paired it with two other outfits, both in blue lace.

Look #1: A silver silk cut-out jacket and pleated silver and grey jacquard skirt worn originally on on October 20, 2007 for Princess Arianne’s christening and repeated during the Swedish royal visit, April 4, 2014

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Look #2: Teal lace dress worn November 23, 2013 on a visit to Venezeula

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Look #3: Grey silk dress with blue lace trim worn June 19, 2015 for the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo

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I’m curious, dear readers, which outfit do you think works best with this unique headpiece?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Multiples: The Duchess of Cornwall

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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:

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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

Queen Máxima Opens Nursing Center

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This morning, Queen Máxima was in Nieuwolda to officially open a new nursing centre. For the event, she repeated her ringed headpiece in ruched caramel brown straw. The last time we saw this hat, I did not have any love for it; the improved placement on Máxima’s head and the pairing with her more casual green dress make it work so much better. I’m not ready to declare love for these doughnut shaped headpieces but I’ll concede that today, this one worked.

Queen Máxima, July 7, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats      Queen Máxima, July 7, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Queen Máxima, July 7, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats     Queen Máxima, July 7, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Queen Máxima, July 7, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: April 26, 2014

What do you think of this ruched headpiece today?

Photos from Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa, Rpe/Albert Nieboer/dpa all via Corbis

The Difference of A Few Feathers

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Royal Hats  Over at the poll for Readers’ Favourite 2015 Royal Ascot Hat, one of the Countess of Wessex’s hats has taken a commanding lead. When we saw Sophie in this hat last week, several of you realized that it had undergone a slight remodel from the way it looked during its first appearance, also at Ascot, in 2012. A number of readers have requested side-by-side shots to compare the two hats. Here they are:

The Countess of Wessex in a hat by Jane Taylor, June 20, 2012 and June 18, 2015

In the end, it’s simply the difference of a few feathers. Interestingly, the difference makes a significant change to the overall look of the hat. I like the original hat with the lovely, curling feathers. Which version of this hat do you prefer?

Photos from Getty as indicated