Monthly Archives: September 2018

New Hat Streak Continues in Scotland

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Queen Elizabeth continued her streak of new blue hats in Scotland yesterday, debuting yet another design for church. In a dark cornflower shade, the design follows a familiar slightly fluted crown shape, which is covered in what looks like the same fabric as the matching coat, and a short, straw brim. High contrast black accents on the top of the crown, binding round the brim and on the stem and leaves of the spiky dahlia bloom embellishment link with stripes on the coat and make for an ensemble with strong impact. While details are difficult to ascertain from these photos, it’s a hat with promise I can’t wait to see from all angles, soon.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unconfirmed
Previously Worn: this hat is new

The Queen was joined for church by her eldest grandson, Peter Phillips, and his wife, Autumn, who topped her raspberry coat with what looks like the same dark navy felt beret percher she wore two weeks ago. With looped bows and quills it’s a smart hat that Autumn carries well and that pairs beautifully with her bright coat.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: possibly August 26, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay (as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are known in Scotland) also were in attendance, with Camilla in a taupe felt hat barely visible in the photo below. I think it is the same rounded crown, brimless design with pheasant feathers she wore last month, also in Scotland. The hat follows a calot shape but like others in Philip Treacy’s recent collections, is designed to perch on the side of the head- a rather natty look for Camilla that I suspect works well with her hairstyle.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: August 19, 2018

Back in 2015, we waited more than six months for Queen Elizabeth to debut her first new hat of the year; if I’m counting correctly, yesterday’s hat is her sixteenth new design so far in 2018, the fifth of which is blue! Not that I’m complaining, particularly when the design looks as promising as this one does. What do you think of Her Majesty’s new chapeau?
Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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King Carl Gustaf, who usually presents awards, found himself on the receiving end yesterday when he caught the largest cod in an Øresund strait fishing derby. He picked up his medal in a casual baseball hat.

Young Prince Hisahito celebrated his 12th birthday on Thursday. He was photographed arriving at the Imperial Royal Palace to visit his grandparents with his mum, Princess Kiko, who wore a streamlined, oyster, brimless hat.

Crown Prince Naruhito departed Japan yesterday for France. He was seen off at the airport by members of the Imperial family including Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Yoko and Princess Hisako in a coordinated group of cream and blue hats (Crown Princess Masako was also in attendance but did not wear a hat).

Princess Eugenie shared this throw-back snap featuring a pair of back-to-school hats from the mid 1990s

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:

Beautiful colour and lines on this orchid purple hat with ruffled brim from Brisbane milliner Brenda Lui
British milliner Laura Cathcart in a loden green felt percher pillbox with marvelous pompom trim of her own design
Amazing movement on this cream and pink flying straw turban from Sarah Cant’s SS 2019 collection
Cornflower blue leather floral headpiece from New Zealand milliner Claire Hahn
Stunning copper straw saucer from Irish milliner Aoife Harrison with surprise royal blue trim
Teal silk saucer with black sinamay brim trimmed with crin & roses from British milliner Dillon Wallwork
Statement amethyst straw percher with face-framing knotted bow from Aussie brand Jill and Jack Millinery
The prettiest pink button percher with flowers and curled quills from British milliner Bundle MacLaren

And thanks to Melbourne hat shop The Essential Hat for introducing me to the incredible sculptural headpieces from New York paper artist ChuChu NY. Yes- you read it correctly- it’s paper. Amazing!

 

 

 Royal Hats

Princess Charlene shared this fun snap of Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques meeting a penguin.

We end the week with my favourite royal photo of the week, taken yesterday in Scotland when the Duchess of Rothsay (as is her Scottish title) visited the cancer support charity Maggie’s Centers. So sweet.

Photos from social media as indicated and The Asahi Shimbun via Getty

Danish Summer Cruise 2018: Part 2

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Queen Margrethe concluded this year’s summer cruise aboard the Danish royal yacht Dannebrog with a two day visit to the municipality of Svendborg. Her arrival yesterday brought a surprise- the white hat we saw her wear July 19 is indeed, a new hat! In white straw, the design follows the tall crown shape of a fedora (without front pinches) with a wide brim that curves downward in the front and back.

The hat is simply trimmed with a wide white hatband and folded side bow. The profile is larger than many of Queen Margrethe’s hats and while the colour isn’t exactly exciting, it pairs well with the nautical red and navy clothing she favours for these summer cruises.

Designer: likely Peter Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: July 19, 2018

For today’s final day of visits and engagements, Queen Margrethe repeated her navy felt hat with rounded crown, gently raised kettle brim and wide silk hatband with tied bow at the side.
The hat’s simple design paired well with Margrethe’s brightly patterned raincoat and neutral suit (how fantastic is her mixing of patterns in this ensemble? I love it!)


Designer: likely Peter Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: May 9, 2017; May 3, 2017

And so draws another season of Danish summer cruises to a close. Any thoughts about the hats we saw this week?
Photos from Getty as indicated

Danish Royals Celebrate Flag Day

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With Queen Margrethe away for her summer cruise and crown Prince Frederik recovering from back surgery, attendance at this year’s annual Flag Day commemoration fell to remaining family members. Crown Princess Mary attended events in Copenhagen, laying a wreath at The Citadel, attending a commemoration service at Holmens Church and watching a parade at Thorvaldsens Plads at Christiansborg Castle. For these events, she repeated her black hat with felt crown and straw brim, simply trimmed with two feathers. It’s a restrained and elegant piece that paired beautifully with her floral dress.


Designer: Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: Mar 21, 2017; Apr 25, 2015;  Oct 1, 2013; Sep 18, 2013; Oct 2, 2012; Apr 21, 2012; Jul 27, 2011; Apr 9, 2010; Oct 5, 2010; Sep 23, 2006; Sep 6, 2009; Sep 28, 2006; Sep 23, 2006

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were in Fredericia where they attended a worship service in the garrison church Sct. Michaelis, laid a wreath and watched a parade at Bülows Square. Princess Marie repeated her black headpiece of ruffled black silk organdie. I’ve always liked the delicate way this design frames Marie’s face and the scale, which is as large as an average percher hat, is a very flattering one for her. Black hats can look very flat and one dimensional but this piece has a lovely sense of layered texture and movement while remaining perfectly appropriate for a memorial occasion.


Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Mar 21, 2017; May 18, 2016; Sep 5, 2015; Apr 16, 2015;  Oct 1, 2013; Sep 5, 2013 
We’ve seen both these hats numerous times before but as they are both so good, I don’t mind taking another look. What do you think of this pair of hats yesterday in Denmark?


Photos from social media as indicated

Danish Summer Cruise 2018: Part 1

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Queen Margrethe embarked on the first leg of her annual summer cruise this week, spending Monday and Tuesday in the municipality of Silkeborg. For her arrival Monday at City Hall and a day of events that included visits to the museum Jorn and Neder Kjærsholm manor house, the Danish queen repeated her hat with ecru straw crown and brim sandwiched between a pair of curved grey straw brims curved both upward and downward.

 The hat stands out for its unique shape, which is tempered by the neutral colour scheme. It’s interesting and always draws me in for a closer look- something I like a royal hat to do. Grey isn’t my favourite colour on Queen Margrethe but it worked, thanks to the pop of colour she added to the ensemble with her canary yellow blouse.

 

Yesterday, the tour of Silkeborg continued with visit to an eco-minded demolition company and art therapy program. For these visits, she repeated her natural straw hat with domed crown and short brim with upturn around one half (this time, the half around the front), trimmed with a hatband in the same plaid as her skirt. Not overly exciting, it gets a nod for it’s nautical-ness.

Designer: likely Peter Falk Hansen
Previously Worn (with plaid band): Aug 31, 2017; Aug 24, 2015; Sep 9, 2014; Jul 3, 2014; Jun 20, 2014; Sep 3, 2013; Aug 29, 2013;  Jun 4, 2013; Jun 9, 2011
Previously Worn (with green band): Aug 23, 2015; Sep 10, 2014; Sep 1, 2014; Apr 28, 2013; Aug 30, 2013; Sep 5, 2012
Thoughts about these hats? We’ll catch up with the second leg of the cruise tomorrow. 
Photos from Getty as indicated