The Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her 37th birthday today, and in honor of this event, we’re taking a two- part look at all the pink hats in her millinery closet. First up are the lighter pink shades:
1.Embed from Getty Images 2.Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Designer: Jane Taylor; Jane Corbett
Introduced: June 5, 2012; May 29, 2012
3.Embed from Getty Images 4.Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Jane Taylor; Philip Treacy,
Introduced: March 9, 2015; June 11, 2016
5.
6.
Designer: both are Jane Taylor;
Introduced: May 20, 2017; June 17, 2017
Since this post was published, Kate has added the following light pink hats to her millinery wardrobe:
7.Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Juliette Botterill
Introduced: May 21, 2019;
There’s more variance of shape and complex detail on this group of hats than I thought there would be. While the first four lean to the more neutral of pink shades, bold shapes and interesting trim keep them far away from boring. Each one has something unique to admire that sets the hat apart and there’s not a single design here I’d like to see retired. We’ll have to see if the hues get brighter- something I suspect will be impacted by fashion trends and the inevitably growing scope of Kate’s royal role.
In the meantime- what are your thoughts on this group of pink hats? Stay tuned tomorrow for the darker fuchsia and burgundy designs, of which there are some beauties!
Photos from UK Press Pool and Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty; Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
The number 6 hat appears to be the same hat in straw (with different embellishments) as the green felt that Autumn Phillips wore for Christmas 2018. But are they by the same milliner? Is this swirled base a more common shape for a hat than I realized?
I am not sure that Catherine has hit her hat stride yet. She generally looks well groomed, appropriate and attractive but her hats don’t quite “sing” for me the way most of say, Camilla’s, do. The low crowned, flat brimmed hats (2 and 4) are merely nice, the brims are a good shape but the decorations are…a little juvenile? Number 1 was an attractive hat but perhaps over accentuated Catherine’s “long stream of pump water” look in her very slim lace dress. Number 3 was a slightly odd colour match for the pale pink maternity outfit and IMO needed to be worn a bit further back on her head and less over her right eye. That leaves number 5 which was uniquely well suited, in its slightly retro way, to the theme of Pippa’s wedding: grey stone 12th century country church, lots of pink and green flowers and variations of that colour in the bridal party. The pictures of Catherine in her unique hat and equally unique and beautifully tailored outfit, supporting her sister and gently herding the beautifully dressed children, are just lovely. Finally number 6: a good shape with its bold colour (perhaps a bit harsh?), interesting folds in the straw and with those gorgeous loops of organza in pale pink, salmon and raspberry. While I liked the accompanying dress, I preferred it in raspberry at Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Keep it up Kate.
Wow- we see these hats completely differently!
The only one I don’t care for in this group is #2, which weirdly seems a little too twee on Kate. My favorite is #6, followed closely by #1.
Number 4 is another of my favourite hats from Catherine. Catherine doesn’t wear many bigger hats so this was a nice surprise and that one was just lovely
All of these hats are delicious – so pretty and feminine … Catherine is definitely “pretty in pink”!! .. and blue …. and all her other colours !! 😀
Since pink is my favorite color and the Duchess of Cambridge is my favorite royal I love all of these! My favorites are 1,5, and 6 just like Sunny and trickymum. If I had to choose one it would probably be 5 from Pippa’s wedding. I loved that whole look!
I think these are all spiffing hats, and I surprise myself by saying so as I generally prefer somewhat bolder colours. But all of these are beautifully designed and made, with, as you comment, a surprising amount of variation among a small number. I’d love to see all of them repeated, and a couple are among my favourite hats Kate has ever worn.
These are all really nice.
I would like to see HRH wear #3 again. It frames her face beautifully.
I’ve always liked Hat #6. The movement is so lovely.
I have a feeling one of my favorite hats of all time will be on the next post. This was a fun topic Hat Queen! Thank you!
I agree that all of these could be repeated. #6 is especially good: the different shades of pink should register as overload, but instead complement each other beautifully. And I love the motion of the multi-layered ribbon.
Looking forward to the next round.
Thank you for this pretty in pink feature! Numbers 1, 5 and 6 are my favourites and among my favourites out of all the hats she has ever worn.
My opinion exactly. I like number 1 as well – seems I prefer the brimless look, although I hadn’t realised until now!
I meant number 3 as well…
The medium pink/dark pink one (last one) is one of my favorite DoCam hats ever as are some of the darker ones we’ll see tomorrow. can’t wait!
lovely all of them , she often sticks to the a smaller size whereas Camilla goes big and QE is in the middle size wise
Hi HQ, does this one count? https://royalhats.net/2016/06/11/queen-elizabeths-90th-birthday-trooping-the-colour/ In the pic showing the top view, the straw does look a pale pink.
I also like all of these hats; they really suit the Duchess well.
And I just couldn’t help mentioning Catherine’s 2017 Tyne Cot cemetery hat https://royalhats.net/2017/07/31/belgian-british-royals-commemorate-passchendaele-centennary/ – (2nd hat of the Duchess’s 2 in that post) because of the pale pink trim – though I know the hat is actually pale grey. Perhaps that hat is better off in a future list of her grey hats?
You’re right- I forgot the blush pink hat! It’s now included above. I think I mixed it up in my mind with the The Duchess of Cornwall’s similar white hat with pink flower. Too many hats to keep track of.
And yes- sometimes it’s hard to know what colour to classify a hat but I primarily go with the colour of the hat itself, not the trim.
I agree with you mcncin! I love the hat the duchess wore for the Trooping the Colour in 2016!, Blush pink with the rose a slightly deeper shade is just lovely and fresh and very spring-like. I think it should be included for our review HatQueen. Thank you!