The Belgian monarchs wrapped up their state visit to Poland today with a stop at the Warsaw Urprising Museum. Queen Mathilded used the occasion to début another new hat. In oyster coloured felt, this Garbo style piece featured a rounded crown and large, relaxed brim. The only trim on the piece was a rope of silk placed in a free-form winding maze on the crown and brim of the hat’s right side. While I adore the idea of this design, I’m torn between wondering if the neutral colour of the entire ensemble is chic or bland. I also wonder if the execution of the hat might be a little clumsy and need to see more detailed photos before declaring a final verdict.
While Queen Mathilde’s hats have been a little hit and miss on this state visit, Polish First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda has shown off some wonderfully chic millinery. She wore another navy petite hat today, this one with a rolled bumper brim and a flying bow on the side.
Designer of Queen Mathilde’s hat: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Photos from Christophe Licoppe/Photo News S.A./Corbis, Christophe Licoppe/Photo News S.A./Corbis, Christophe Licoppe/Photo News S.A./Corbis and Christophe Licoppe/Photo News S.A./Corbis
Royal Hats 
Okay, I like QM’s suit, very nice and quite ‘her’ in its elegant simplicity. But I’m on the fence about the hat. I don’t like the heavy fabric paired with the silk suit, I don’t like the matchy-matchy of colour and it looks the brim has got crumpled in transit. I’d like to see it paired with a winter outfit, a coloured wool coat and boots say, before I make a final decision.
Can anyone tell me why Matt and Max always wear gorgeous leather gloves but then always take one off? It just seems a bit pointless. QE2 always keeps both gloves on.
I wonder if the Queen chose a neutral outfit to represent respect for the place they were visiting? Solemnity, respect, etc. I would wish, though, that she had not worn neutrals two days in a row. I am on the fence about the hat, as well. Two waves in the brim on the right-hand side seems too many. I think one elegant wave would have been just right. Queen Mathilde is always elegant, so I am really not faulting her!! Just adding my two cents.
I love the silk dress and agree that the hat might be a little more attractive and more complementary to the dress in a finer fabric (although I think the hat is kind of cute on Mathilde for a more casual outing). I actually like it that the complete ensemble is in the oyster color. But I’m a bit surprised that all of her dresses and hats for the visit are in the plain ‘beige-ish’ color scheme. I too noticed her sad eyes–it’s so rare to see Mathilde not radiating joy.
As others have commented, the texture of the hat seems not to go well with the shiny dress. As to whether the beige color is chic or bland, I’m afraid that in this case I see it as bland.
First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda’s nice outfit today would have made more of an impression had her two previous outfits not been absolutely spectacular.
I love the shape and rope trim, but I’m not sure I like the silk/felt contrast in this one. Overall she’s kept me excited and anticipating her next outfit for this Poland visit, so I deem it a success! I agree the First Lady is very elegant and chic, I would have loved to have seen her try out more varied shapes though.
I agree that the fabric of the hat doesn’t go well with the dress. It’s too heavy. And I also agree that Mathikde looks better in a real colour.
I don’t care for the hat close up, but it looks good from a distance. The size gives a bit of oomph to an outft that otherwise would be bland in the extreme.
I like the queen’s hat, with the rope trim. A different color suit might have spiced up the entire outfit. The First Lady looks elegant.
I think the hat is too large and heavy for Queen Mathilde. She looks tired under the wide brim. The hat as such is too clumsy in my view. I would have liked to see something more elegant with a bit of color with the outfit.
the hat’s fabric is not shinny like her dress, which makes the whole look a bit off for me, gloves don’t match either in color , still she looks elegant
The Queen’s outfit overall is beautiful…perhaps a strand of pearls around her neck might have looked nice, or a trim mimicking the piping on her hat…perhaps around her waist. I worry that the Queen looks worried or sad; just not herself – the radiant smile that lights up her eyes is not there, nor does she and the King touch and hold hands…they are always so charming that way! I hope she is feeling well.
I agree, she has seemed sad this visit. Many pics of her looking unhappy.Hope all is ok.
I do like the hat. A bit different than what we see. That is nice. I think it would have been nicer in blue,burgandy, purple or a combo of colours. The Queen looks a bit worried about something and has all week.
Agatha has good fashion sense.
The outfits during this trip have been excellent.
This is a great hat shape for Mathilde and I like the whimsical detailing; the fact everything on the hat is one color I think is a good thing as well. What I do not think is a good thing is the fact the rest of her outfit is the same color as the hat. SO MUCH BEIGE, ARGH!! This would’ve been a stunning look overall had her outfit been in some other color, like navy, teal, or very dark crimson to contrast the beige hat and gloves. Again, Agata looked wonderful, although this is my least favorite look of the three she had this week.
Spot on Jake! You read my mind. And Agata looks great again, but just not as fabulous as her other two outstandingly good looks!