45 years ago today, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was photographed on the occasion of her 70th birthday with her grandchildren Prince Edward (later the Earl of Wessex), Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones and Viscount Linley. Her hat was a marvellous pompadour casque made from triangles of multi-coloured pastel silk organza trimmed with tiny silk blossoms of lily of the valley.
Photo from Getty as indicated
This weekend’s lavish religious wedding of Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo saw a number of hats worn by family members and royal guests. For the religious ceremony on Saturday morning, the groom’s mother, Princess Caroline, wore a flat-crowned white picture hat. The brim of the dramatic hat was heavily wrapped in a swirling tempest of navy silk tulle and trimmed with navy and white feather poufs on one side. While the hat is a haute couture piece, I’m struggling to find it either flattering or attractive. It’s a signature piece that seems at odds with Caroline’s ornately beaded tunic, also from Chanel.
You can get a better sense of this hat in the short video clip below. Jump over here for a view of Princess Caroline’s pre-wedding dinner outfit and here for a view of her gown (and optional Can-can sleeves) at the post-wedding reception.
Designer: Chanel SS 2015 Haute Couture Collection
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Charlotte Casiraghi did not wear a hat at any of the wedding festivities (jump over to her outfits at the pre-wedding dinner here, the religious ceremony here and her wonderful Gucci gown for the reception here). Princess Alexandra of Hannover, who appears to have been a bridesmaid at the religious ceremony, topped her simple silk gown with a wreath of flowers in her hair.
Alexandra’s outfits at the other two events can be seen here and here. The outfits worn by Tatiana Santo Domingo can be seen here, here and here and those by Princess Stephanie and her daughters here, here, here and here.
While the bride’s mother Paola Marzotto did not wear any hats (see her frocks here and here), her sister-in-law Italian fashion designer Marta Ferri wore two vibrant floral headpieces made by Piers Atkinson- red for the pre-wedding dinner and yellow for the religious ceremony. Marta’s infant son (whose father is Beatrice’s brother Carlo, below left), was also spotted in a wee straw hat.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit or Norway continued her love of headbands with one worn to each of the three wedding events. While I appreciate her use of head adornment at this hat-scarce wedding, the pieces look rather twee when paired with her trio of floral and lace prairie dresses. The pink piece, worn with a Valentino gown, has the air of a Kokoshnik tiara that intrigues me but I’m afraid in reality, it might be a twin to the first piece, which looks like a string of mini pita pockets.
Luxarazzi has photos of Prince Félix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg and Princess Maria-Anunciata of Liechtenstein who attended, sadly all without hats. I’m afraid, dear readers, that this wedding won’t be remembered for its millinery and that the review here is rather paltry. Of the hats and headpieces we did see at these nuptials, did any stand out to you?
Photos from Robino Salvatore via Getty; Walter Gatti/Pat/Splash News, Walter Gatti/Pat/Splash News, Walter Gatti/Pat/Splash News, Gigi Iorio/Splash News, and Splash News via Corbis; JacopoR/PierreS/GC Images via Getty; Marta Ferri; AFP via Getty; and Stella Pictures
After celebrating their civil wedding in Monaco on July 25 with an outdoor picnic for 700 guests and a formal evening dinner (and two Valentino gowns worn by the bride), Pierre Caisraghi and Beatrice Borromeo continued their lavish nuptial festivities this weekend on the Borromeo Islands owned by the bride’s family on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. The party kicked off Friday night with a semi-casual pre-wedding dinner held at the Borromeo Palazzo (castle) on Isola Madre. Beatrice wore an Alberta Ferretti gown in sheer ivory silk chiffon, embroidered with flowers on the bodice and skirt. The bohemian style of the dress was continued with her simple, flat sandals and a flowing hairstyle studded with fresh flowers. The look was effortless, beautiful and very Italian Goddess.
The religious wedding was held on Saturday morning on the private island of San Giovanni. Beatrice wore a classic gown in ivory Chantilly lace and layered silk chiffon with a high boat neck, three quarter length sleeves and flowing A-line skirt, custom made by Armani Privé.
A silk tulle veil edged in Chantilly lace completed the ensemble. In an unusual twist, it was place flat against the back of her head, attached with what looks like a number of vintage diamond hair clips.
The final event, a formal evening reception held at Castle Angera on Saturday evening, saw Beatrice in another Armani Privé design. Her final gown, in layers of gossamer silk tulle, featured low v-neck, belted waist and full skirt. Two trains flowed from on each shoulder, anchored by a pair of Borromeo family heirloom antique diamond brooches in the form of wings. The brooches brought a touch of sparkle to the back of the dress while the two trains gave an sweeping, elegant sense of fluid movement. A braided ballerina bun, diamond necklace and earrings and strappy silver stilettos completed the final bridal ensemble. She looked stunning.
In a wedding that saw the bride in no less than five couture gowns, I think Beatrice saved the best for last. What did you think of her final three bridal gowns?
Photos from Splash News, Splash News, and Gigi Iorio/Splash News via Corbis; Armani via Twitter; Splash News, Machete/Splash News, Walter Gatti/Splash News, Splash News, Machete/Splash News, Splash News, and Gigi Iorio/Splash News via Corbis
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A look back to the now almost lost art of entirely handmade straw hats. Enjoy!
Royal Hats 