Yearly Archives: 2015

Princess Beatrix Opens Art Exhibition

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Princess Beatrix was in Gorinchem this morning to open the 2015 Symposium art exhibition. For this event, which features over 400 abstract works of more than 170 Dutch artists, Princess Beatrix repeated her navy straw hat with rounded crown and double bumper brim. This shape is one we have all come to associate with the Dutch princess and while the top view is reminiscent of a dart board, I can’t imagine Beatrix in a different millinery style.

Princess Beatrix, June 6, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Beatrix, June 6, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Beatrix, June 6, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: January 24, 2013 

Photos from ANP

Royals Gather to Celebrate Bicentenary of Royal Yacht Squadron

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The Duke of Edinburgh marked the bicentenary of the Royal Yacht Squadron with a Fleet Review of more than 180 ships gathered at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Prince Philip, who is Admiral of the Squadron and wore a cap related to this rank, presided over the day’s events aboard a Royal Navy patrol boat.

Sailing is a popular sport among European royals; accomplished royal sailors King Harald of Norway, Prince Albert of Monaco, King Constantine of Greece, Prince Pavlos of Greece, Viscount Linley and Prince Henrik of Denmark were in attendance for the naval celebration, all sporting natty nautical caps.

Prince Pavlos and Viscount Linley, June 5, 2015 | Royal Hats

Prince Philip was further accompanied by the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Prince Michael of Kent. While Princess Anne sported a headscarf, the royal men (except for the Vice Admiral) wore hats related to their roles with the squadron.

 It looks like an enjoyable day was had by all, doesn’t it?!
Prince Michael of Kent, June 5, 2015 | Royal Hats
Photos from Getty as indicated and Prince Pavlos of Greece

Danish Royals Mark Constitution’s Centenary

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The Danish Royal Family gathered at Parliament today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1915 Danish Constitution which gave women the right to vote. Queen Margrethe, who delivered a speech marking this event, repeated her mint green bumper hat and coordinating suit. Today’s photos give us the best view we have seen so far of the left side of the hat where the bumper brim splits and swirls into a gentle curve on the hat’s crown. This interesting detail makes me like this hat even more.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 23, 2014; April 16, 2015
Crown Princess Mary repeated her pale grey fascinator made of silk flowers, multiple types of feathers and net veil. This delicate piece looks wonderful on Mary- it is such a beautiful contrast against her dark hair and her classic chignon shows it off to perfection. Where the ensemble falls short, in my humble opinion, is in this headpiece’s pairing with this dress. While contrast is a great thing in fashion, I think the very modern mustardy gold and silver print on the dress would be better balanced and complimented with a stronger, more substantial hat.

Designer: unknown. Dress by Ole Yde. 
Previously Worn: June 25, 2013; April 30, 2013
Princess Marie repeated the navy blue felt calot hat she first wore for Queen Margrethe’s birthday celebrations in April. For this outing, she changed the hat’s placement, wearing it firmly on the top of her head. While I prefer the off-the face placement we saw last time (where the flat bow trim on the side of the hat beautifully framed her face), I am so pleased to see Marie experimenting with different ways to wear this piece. It was beautifully paired today with her cream jacket, navy printed dress and bold brooch.

Designer: Whiteley
Previously Worn: April 8, 2015

Princess Benedikte was a vision in pink, repeating her raspberry straw wide-brimmed picture hat with a narrow band around the crown. Paired with her pale pink rolled collar coat, the ensemble was so summery and fresh.

Princess Benedikte, June 5, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Benedikte, June 5, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: I suspect Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: September 8, 2013; August 3, 2013; April 24, 2013
Princess Benedikte, June 5, 2015 | Royal Hats
It is always wonderful to see the Danish Royal Family together at such celebrations and the hats today did not disappoint. Was there a particular piece that stood out to you in this quartet of royal hats?
Photos from Getty as indicated; Ole Jensen/Demotix, Ole Jensen/Demotix and Ole Jensen/Demotix via Corbis

Countess of Wessex Hosts Garden Party Marking Charity’s Centenary

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The Countess of Wessex hosted a garden party at Buckingham Palace yesterday in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Blind Veterans UK. For this afternoon event, Sophie repeated the elaborate pale blue hat she first wore for the first day of Ascot last year. Described by the designer as “handstitched blue pearl cocktail hat with silk twists”, this beret-based piece is all about textural contrast. While the colour is lovely on Sophie and the pearl encrusted beret base is memorable, the placement of the silk bow twists is too haphazard and awkward for me to completely get behind this hat. The good news, however, is that with the Epsom Derby this weekend and the Garter Service and Ascot soon after, we will undoubtedly see Sophie in a number of new hats.

Designer: Jane Taylor. It looks to be a bespoke version of the “Nida” design
Previously Worn: June 17, 2014
Photos from Getty as indicated

Queen Elizabeth Celebrates 100 Years of the Women’s Institute

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Queen Elizabeth, the Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex attended the Centenary Annual Meeting of The National Federation Of Women’s Institute at Royal Albert Hall this morning in London. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of this British Institution, Queen Elizabeth repeated her pale blue straw hat with domed crown, asymmetrical upturned brim, and silk flower and ribbon trim.

Today’s photos award us the best views of this hat and coordinating coat that we have seen to date- views that show incredible detail and coordination between the pieces. The straw of the hat is a perfect match to the crepe of the Queen’s coat, and the same silk has been used for the coat’s buttons and bow trim as well as the bows on the hat and band around the crown. I love the mix of curves in this piece (the domed crown, curved brim) and the placement of silk flowers and silver velvet leaves is masterfully done. This piece is simply exquisite.
Queen Elizabeth, June 4, 2015 in Rachel Trevor Morgan | Royal Hats

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: June 17, 2014; April 20, 2014
 Photos from Getty as indicated and James Whatling via Corbis