Yearly Archives: 2015

This Week’s Extras

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Royal Hats

Princess Michael of Kent brought her straw visor out for Andy Murray’s quarter-final match at Wimbledon (Daily Mail)

The formal portraits from Princess Charlotte’s christening were released late this week. The group shot is marvellous (Daily Mail)

Royal Hats

A wonderful surprise to see the Duchess of Kent at an engagement this week (Go West London)

The Dutch Royal Family’s annual summer photocall showed the King, Queen and their girls at the beach (Getty)

Queen Letizia looked incredible at a state banquet during the Peruvian state visit to Spain (Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor)

Lovely photos of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with their twins here, here, here and here (Hello Magazine)

The Duchess of Cornwall received one of Andy Murray’s signed sweatbands this week and put it up for sale, for charity, on Ebay. Can’t wait to read the feedback on this sale! (Ebay)

British Royals Celebrate Battle of Britain

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Members of the British Royal Family gathered today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The celebration, which saw all the remaining grandchildren of King George V together on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, included an enhanced Changing the Guard and military flypast. The Queen stood out in the lineup of royal military uniforms in a neon pink hat we have not seen her wear in five years. With an unusually pointed crown and upturned lattice brim, the hat is trimmed four large pink arrow feathers and a wide stripe of yellow binding on the brim. The hat’s colour scheme comes from the Queen’s printed dress (see it here and here) and while it coordinates well, I’m not a fan of both the bright colour and the creative shape.

 Queen Elizabeth, July 10, 2015 in Angela Kelly | Royal Hats Queen Elizabeth, July 10, 2015 in Angela Kelly | Royal Hats

Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: July 3, 2010

The Countess of Wessex repeated a celery green straw percher hat trimmed in a cream silk rose and a high mass of burnt feathers. Green is a great colour on her, isn’t it?

Designer: Philip Treacy. Dress by Emilia Wickstead
Previously Worn: June 13, 2011; June 15, 2009; June 18, 2008
Princess Alexandra repeated her sky blue hat with upturned brim on one side trimmed with a side looped bow and a swath of tulle. While difficult to see from these faraway photos today, the piece is such a lovely colour, shape and scale on her.  She recently débuted a twin to this hat- something we’ll look at closer next week.

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: May 20, 2015; June 12, 2014
I suspect there may be some strong reactions to some of these hats and I can’t wait to hear them!
Photos from James Whatling/Splash News, James Whatling/Splash News, and James Whatling/Splash News via Corbis; Getty as indicated

Queen Mathilde Pays Tribute to WWI at Ypres

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Queen Mathilde of Belgium was at Ypres yesterday to attend the 30,000th playing of The Last Post from the Menin Gate. The Queen, lay a floral tribute, wore a black ringed headpiece we have seen on her before. With her graphic cream and black dress, I thought her ensemble hit just the right note for this occasion.

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

Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: December 12, 2014
Photos from Getty as indicated and HLN

Queen Reviews Her Body Guards

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Queen Elizabeth reviewed The Queen’s Body Guard members of the Yeomen of the Guard yesterday in the garden of Buckingham Palace. The group must be near and dear to her (as one’s body guards ought to be!) as she used the occasion to show us a new hat. The bucket shape, known formally as a ‘peach basket’ design, looked to be made of pale blue straw and wrapped, bandage style, with matching blue organdie ribbon.

This piece is a style departure for her- while I love its bravery, I’m not convinced that the shape flatters Her Majesty. It is, however, lovely to see her in a suit instead of a coat and this suit is a beaut.

Designer: I suspect Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
What do you think of this new hat?
Photos from Getty as indicated

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