King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a memorial ceremony yesterday to mark the first anniversary of terrorist attacks at Brussels’ airport and metro last year which killed 32 people and wounded more than 320. For this sombre event, Queen Mathilde repeated her black ringed headpiece. This design has been worn three times, each to a memorial event; while I’ve not been complimentary to these open crowned headpieces in the past, I must concede it works well, maintaining a sense of lightness and interest at an event where exuberant feather or floral trim just wouldn’t fit.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images:Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: July 9, 2015; December 12, 2014
Previously Worn: July 9, 2015; December 12, 2014
Thoughts on this headpiece in Belgium yesterday?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Agreed..an appropriate hat for a very sad occasion..remembered here in the United States with sadness as well.
I understand the opinions on the open topped hat but frankly these hats get my vote far and above some of the gravity defying fascinators. The queen looked lovely and appropriate for the somber occasion.
I think the Queen looks lovely and appropriate.
I am not crazy about these open crown headpieces, but I think I am beginning to understand Ms Delvigne. If, in the design process, you take away the fundamental ‘purpose’ of a hat, ie; to keep one’s head warm or dry, then the hat becomes an ornament. An ornament does not have a rigid set of rules to which it must conform. Instead of going the route of the absurdists hats (like the peanut butter and jelly example a few days ago), this design strips down the basic bones of a hat to the minimum. In fact, it leaves out a basic piece, the crown. It is still a design choice with plenty of style. It will never be a favorite of mine, but I like it as well as some fascinators I have seen on royal heads.
Just my two cents on these somewhat perplexing headpieces.
Agreed.
Oh, what a somber week this is.
Why not just a simple pillbox or calot? This would be appropriate and not look as silly as the opentops do.
I thought the queen looked both lovely and appropriate. The queen’s thoughtfully assembled costume as a whole, her perfect grooming, and, most of all, her sympathetic demeanor, overrode for me any concern about the ringed headpiece.
It’s a flattering shape, size and color, but would benefit from having the open crown filled in with matching fabric. With it open, it shows any flyaway hair.
And I have to remark on her coat: I love the stand away collar. It’s beautiful, but must make for a chilly neck.
I respectfully disagree with you, HQ, and this is one of very rare times when I don’t see eye-to-eye with you. If there’s a headpiece to hate, it’s this one, and it’s equally as undesirable as the pale headband yesterday in Norway by CP Mette-Marie. Flowers, feathers, etc., would not necessarily be appropriate, but there MUST be a happy middle-of-the-road choice. The example below is 12 years old (January 15, 2005) and probably retired, but it shouldn’t be – it’s very nice.
Embed from Getty Images
This is a lovely hat but as you say, is likely long retired. It’s also grey and I think yesterday’s memorial called for a black hat. When I have time, I’ll try and do an inventory post on Mathilde’s black hats. I still don’t like the open crowned ones, but am starting to see their use!
I agree this is appropriate for the occasion. And the Queen’s hair is styled very nicely for this headpiece.
well said HatQueen