Members of the Belgian royal family gathered today to commemorate Fête du Roi (Feast of the King, commonly referred to as “King’s Day”) celebrated each year on this day, the day of St. Leopold. The royal hat to appear today was on Princess Claire, who repeated a stylised grey trilby variation she first wore to this event in 2008.
The velvet felt design features an off-centre pinched crown and a short brim that faces downward around the entire hat (instead of turned up in the back, as a traditional trilby would be). It’s a simple piece that relies on shape to be memorable but one that Claire wears well. I particularly liked its styling with the rest of her ensemble today.
Thoughts about this hat?
Photos from Albert Nieboer via PPE; Belga; Albert Nieboer via PPE
Royal Hats 
November 15, 2007:
Meme manteau, sans chapeau, je pense.
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A chic look (and much better than 2008).
Other than her hair, I agree Claire looks much more polished now than in 2008. Her boots are a great pairing with this hat, and the leopard print clutch adds some fun to an otherwise very demure outfit.
Here she is, back on November 15, 2008. I think Iike today’s coat better!
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Thanks, Jimbo! I’ve added your photo to the “previous wearings” listing. I agree- the previous coat was quite prone to wrinkles and puckers while the winter white wool one today looks so much more polished. Amazing how a different coat (even in nearly the same colour) can show a hat off so much more effectively.
Jimbo, the white coat was well spotted! it must have a detachable collar.
I just noticed that Claire has repeated not only her hat, AND her coat, but her boots as well! looks like these are the same pair of grey suede over-the-knee (OTK) boots she wore with this hat 9 years ago, in 2008. http://www.noblesseetroyautes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cs11.jpg
This really takes me back in time…in the ‘noughties, the younger generation of Belgian and Dutch royal ladies all wore suede OTKs, and owned them in multiple colours– Mathilde, who arguably wore them better than anyone else, had 13 different pairs!
Re the hat: there’s a place for pale delicate neutrals and a minimalist structure, but to me, Claire’s dramatic outgoing personality needs something less timid, something with more life and scale and colour.,
Mcncln: OMG, LOL, LMAO! How do you know the FF that Mathilde had 13 pairs of OTK boots! YCMU! HW, everyone!
I counted them myself. Yes, I couldn’t believe it either. My excuse? I adore Mathilde…..and long boots…and inventories.
Studying royalty is SOOO rewarding.