to this day in 1989 and a young Duke of Sussex acting as pageboy for his uncle, Earl Spencer’s, first wedding. His ensemble, including wide-brimmed hat, was inspired by a 1786 ancestral painting of John Charles Spencer, Viscount Althorp by Sir Joshua Reynolds. From hatted head to silk slippered toe, it’s quite a look, even for a prince.
Photo from Getty as indicated
Members of the Dutch Royal family celebratated Prinsjesdag today, the start of a new session of Dutch parliament. King Willem-Alexander, who addressed a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives, was joined in The Hague by Queen Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien. As in years past, the traditional 18th century court dress code was followed, giving us the unique opportunity to see the women in long gowns and hats.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Queen Máxima used the event today to experiment with a large saucer hat- a shape we’ve not seen her wear very much. This design, in pale buff straw, features a sharp diagonal upsweep and is trimmed with grey and pink silk flowers nestled on the wearer’s head and a pair of curling pheasant feathers. On its own, I think this could be a good design for Máxima, who certainly has the ability to carry it off. Its pairing, however, with this voluminous gown and hair, seems off balance. Perhaps a sleeker hairstyle and placement of the hat at a less dramatic upsweep (bringing the top brim down a touch) would work better?
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
The Queen attended church yesterday, as she does each Sunday, joined by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Duke of Cambridge (who I understand returned to Scotland for the annual Ghillies Ball which took place Saturday night). Sunday’s outing to church gave us a better view of the rust hat she debuted in Scotland last year.
to 54 years ago yesterday to another Prinsjesdag balcony scene in The Hague. Queen Julianna sported a voluminous hat very much of the time while Princess Margriet (right) wore a multi-piece floral headpiece. Princess Beatrix’s flat crowned hat looks like it was wrapped in tulle with feathers on the brim.
Photo from Getty as indicated
Princess Beatrice and Princess Mabel attended the funeral of Kofi Annan this week in Ghana. Princess Beatrice wore one of her wrapped straw bumper hats while Princess Mabel wore a black feathered headband.
Queen Margrethe is a well known costume and set designer. The Amalienborg Musem will open a six-month special exhibition on some of this work, curated by the Queen herself, next week. A short promotion video shared by the Danish monarchy this week is well worth a watch- not only is it wonderfully charming, it gives us a rare and unique window into a queen creating her own hats (a first here at Royal Hats, I think!)
Harper’s Bazaar shared this fun look at some of Princess Diana’s many hats
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Handpainted straw percher in autumnal tones from London based Sahar millinery
Philip Treacy’s magenta velvet percher with crystal studded veil and stunning silk flowers by Anfisa Korelova
Amazing feather work on this plum hued headpiece by British milliner Ian Bennett
Vibrant turquoise, fuchsia and orange straw boater hat by Australian milliner Louise MacDonald
Fascinating ombre texture on this unique saucer design from Belgian milliner Amélie D’Hooghvorst
Such a pretty watercolour silk covered boater by Hong Kong based Noeleen Millinery
From Australian label Jill and Jack Millinery, pale green and red straw perchers with the most
wonderful flying bows with an effortlessly jaunty sense of movement and lightness.
The Hague Central Train Station will be exceptionally busy during Prinsjesdag this week. To celebrate this event, they are hosting a Hat Design Contest with a catch- the hats must be made from material from old trains, found objects and/or NS (Dutch Rail) uniforms. Dutch milliner Weis Mauduit, who regularly shares her excellent millinery knowledge and experience in comments here at Royal Hats, is one of thirteen milliners who have taken part. Scroll through the two galleries below to see multiple views of Weis’ design and its fascinating creation process- including the train station’s glass roof that inspired it. You can see other hats in this competition at this link as well as vote for your favourite until September 18 (click on the photo then on the blue box on the left, beneath the photos). Weis has not requested any coverage or support here- I’m so impressed with this design that I offer it on my own along with my wishes for the best of luck in the contest!
Princess Akiko sported an uncharacteristically bright manicure during her visit to Turkey this week (notice both the Japanese and Turkish flags!). She also happened upon a couple taking wedding photos on Monday while visiting the Japanese Garden in Kirsehirand and happily posed with them!
Lovely new picture of the Luxembourg Grand Ducal family taken this summer at Château de Berg (the Grand Duke and Duchess’ primary residence in Luxembourg).
Such sweet snaps shared by Princess Charlene of Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella’s first day of school
Royal Hats 