Yearly Archives: 2015

Princess Anne Opens Namesake Racing Stands

Posted on by

Princess Anne was at the Cheltenham Racecourse today to open a new stand named in her honour. For this event, she wore her tall faux fur hat. I’m not usually a fan of Anne’s fur/faux fur hats but paired with her red blouse and militaristic-style coat, this one added a surprisingly regal note to the ensemble.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: March 9, 2014; February 14, 2014; December 25, 2013 and likely others. It’s difficult to tell all of Anne’s fur hats apart.
Photos from Getty as indicated

Imperial Royals Host Annual Autumn Garden Party

Posted on by

The Japanese Royal Family were in attendance yesterday at  Akasaka Palace for the annual autumn garden party held in the palace’s imperial garden. One of two garden parties hosted by the Emperor and Empress each year (one in spring and one in autumn), this event is a highlight on the Imperial Royal calendar. Empress Michiko wore a dove grey suit for the occasion with a matching saucer hat. One of the Empress’ larger scale hats, the flat rimmed piece was simply trimmed with a dove grey and white silk bow.

Empess Michiko, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

The garden party made international news thanks to the presence of Crown Princess Masako who has not attended this event in twelve years. She looked marvellous and relaxed in a Byzantium purple suit and matching hat. The simply shaped hat, with a flat brim and straight sided, domed crown, was given visual and textural interest thanks to a wide sash of draped fabric wrapped around the crown.The sash gave a sense of movement to this hat and, combined with its vibrant colour, made it a stand out piece.

Crown Princess Masako, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats Crown Princess Masako, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Kiko topped her white silk suit with a coordinating hat. The squared crown of the hat, which was wrapped at the base in a wide pleated band, smoothly extended in the characteristic ‘bell’ shape of a cloche out to a rolled brim. A nice enough piece on its own, I found the proportion and scale too large for petite Princess Kiko. Her daughter, Princess Mako, topped her peach silk suit with a brown felt hat with narrow, rolled brim. Trimmed with a peach puff on the side, the simple hat provided an interesting contrast against her feminine, ruffled suit.

Imperial Royal Family, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Princess Nobuko of Mikasa wore a navy Breton hat. The outer side of the hat’s upturned brim was covered in the same navy appliquéd lace as her dress. Princess Akiko dressed up her black bowler hat with a wide sash of the same graphic black and white plaid fabric as her jacket while Princess Yoko took a more classic approach in a white hat with mushroom brim. Princess Yoko’s hat looked to be overlaid in a layer of crin (or organza?) which gave it a decidedly romantic feel. Princess Tsuguko topped her mint suit with a cream bumper hat trimmed in a green silk bloom at the side.

Imperial Royal Family, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designers: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe all of these hats are new

Finally, Princess Hanako repeated a sage green silk covered hat we have seen several times before. While not visible on the photo below, the brim of this piece is wrapped in green lace which is repeated on the peplum of her jacket. The unusual shape (a variation from the more common mushroom brim as seen on Princess Yoko above) and the interesting use of lace on this piece has always made it a winner for me.

Princess Hanako, November 12, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: August 5, 2015; June 26, 2015; May 19, 2015

These Imperial garden parties often bring out the most vibrant and interesting royal hats we see on the Imperial royals all year. The stand outs today for me were Crown Princess Masako and Princess Nobuko- which hats stood out to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated; Asahi; Kyodo via the Japan Times; and ANN News

Queen Máxima Opens Medical Research Facility

Posted on by

Queen Máxima was in Nijmegen today to officially open three state of the art operation rooms in the Medical Innovation and Technology Expert Center (MITEC) of Radbout University. She used the occasion to début a new fuzzy brown calot hat.

Queen Máxima, November 12, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats Queen Máxima, November 12, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

In theory, the mix of brown accessories with Máxima’s pink dress is a great success. In reality, however, this hat looks looks more like a well worn thrift shop find than the couture millinery it actually is. While the calot shape is a great one for Máxima (especially at such less formal engagements), I think the material used for this hat is all sorts of wrong.

Queen Máxima, November 12, 2015 in Fabienne Delvigne | Royal Hats

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This hat is new

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

 

Queen Elizabeth Visits Home Office

Posted on by

Queen Elizabeth paid a visit to the Home Office this morning where she helped greet the Indian Prime Minister who is in Britain for an informal trade visit. A vision in her trademark blue, the Queen repeated her sky blue felt hat trimmed with chrysanthemum feather flowers. While not my favourite of Her Majesty’s hats, she showed her preference for it today with another outing, the sixth since its début at Prince George’s christening two years ago.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Angela Kelly, made by Stella McLaren. Coat designed by Stewart Parvin  
Previously Worn: June 11, 2015; April 5, 2015; October 24, 2014; April 8, 2014; October 23, 2013
Photos from Getty as indicated

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in Australia

Posted on by

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall wrapped up the New Zealand leg of their tour (sadly, without any other hats) and moved on to Australia on Sunday. Yesterday, the couple commemorated Remembrance Day by laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial. For the occasion, Camilla surprised by repeating a long forgotten black straw hat with square crown.

In addition to the wonderful white stripes woven around the brim, the hat is trimmed with a slim white silk band and bow around the base of the crown and a spiralled feather spine. It`s a wonderfully balanced piece not just of contrasting colour but of shape- I adore how the squared crown plays against the gently curving brim. After a conversation here last week about Camilla`s hats sometimes overpowering her, it bears pointing out that the proportion of this piece is perfect.

While this hat is a decade old, its classic colour scheme and elegant shape helps it transcend time. After fearing its retirement, I was so happy to see it again today and can`t wait to hear your thoughts about it!
Photos from Getty as indicated