Monthly Archives: January 2019

Inventory: Duchess of Cambridge’s Dark Pink & Burgundy Hats

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Following up yesterday’s post on the Duchess of Cambridge’s pink hats, we’re going to continue down this millinery path today with a look at her hats in darker and fuchsia burgundy shades. Here’s what a look in her millinery closet reveals:

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Designer: Jane Corbett; Philip Treacy
Introduced: December 25, 2011; October 12, 2018

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Designer: Jane Taylor
Introduced: December 25, 2018

It’s a small group (so far!) but an excellent one. Many of us continue to admire the stunning trilby (#1)from Christmas 2011 (and wish for it to make a repeat appearance) and velvet percher she wore to Princess Eugenie’s wedding this fall (#2) is a semi-finalist for Favourite New Hat of 2018. Kate wears these deeper jewel tones so well

Photos from Getty as indicated

Inventory: Duchess of Cambridge’s Pink Hats

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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:

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Designer: Jane Taylor; Jane Corbett
Introduced: June 5, 2012; May 29, 2012

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Designer: Jane Taylor; Philip Treacy, 
Introduced: March 9, 2015; June 11, 2016

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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:

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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

Hats From the Past

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Royal Hats to this day in 1930, 89 years ago, and the marriage of what would be the last king and queen of Italy. The wedding of Princess Marie-José of Belgium (daughter of King Albert 1) and Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, from the House of Savoy, was by all accounts, a spectacular affair with diamond-bedecked royal guests, large crowds, a memorably large bridal tiara, a separate papal blessing in the Vatican, and a gown reportedly designed the groom.

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The many events (and outfits!) of that great day included occasion for several hats that reflect the cloche and turban shaped flapper styles of the day.

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Photos from Getty as indicated

Sunday Church at Sandringham

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Queen Elizabeth attended Sunday service yesterday at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Queen repeated her camel felt cloche with square crown, trimmed with a bound brim and knotted hatband in a slightly deeper shade of caramel than the hat and coat.

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Brown is not my favourite colour on Her Majesty but there’s a lovely warmth of hue and sheen to this ensemble, along with some seriously great proportions and restrained trim on the hat, that just makes it work. For a chapeau that has been in rotation for 14 years, I think this one is looking pretty good.

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Designer: Philip Somerville
Previously Worn: Jan 22, 2017; Feb 4, 2015; Apr 12, 2006; Mar 7, 2006; Dec 25, 2005

The Duchess of Cambridge topped her blue coat with a matching pleated bandeau headpiece in diamond printed crepe with ruffled bow at the back. The detail on this piece is really good and not only sets this design apart from the other similarly bandeaus Kate has worn over the past year, but contrasts textually against the coat. It’s a coordinated look, for certain, but I don’t think it’s in ‘matchy-matchy’ territory.

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Designer: Jane Taylor. Coat by Catherine Walker.
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new
Thoughts about these two hats in Norfolk yesterday?
Photos from Getty as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Fun clip shared by the Swedish Royal Court of Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar enjoying time on the slopes together. Little Oscar’s mastery on skis is impressive!
King Philippe of Belgium in a handsome fedora while on vacation in Egypt with his family over the holidays
Princess Madeleine shared this sweet New Years snap of Princess Adrienne in a cozy, knit hat.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Classic black straw button percher with windowpane straw ruffle by British milliner Tracy Chaplin
Formed straw beret percher with towering bow in the loveliest royal blue by Guangzhou-based Jennifer Kofler
Beautifully light cream saucer with crin brim edged in silk abacca by New Zealand milliner Monika Neuahauser
Loden green felt Tyrolean hat with lilac striped hatband by British milliner Laura Cathcart
New, fresh, beautiful and unique take on a black straw bandeau by German milliner Nicki Marquardt
Textured gold boater hat with domed overlay of delicate gold loops by Australian brand Polly and Peaches
Amazing sense of movement and drama on this black & white ombre bow trimmed percher and
this cobalt blue straw percher with lace applique and crin ruffle, both by British milliner Tracey Miller
What a fantastic take on the classic Panama hat in natural straw by Australian brand Embellish Atelier
Adore the angular shape & handmade bloom on this dusty pink felt trilby by Czech milliner Jolanta Kotabova
Incredible texture and sheen on this bronze double-sided sequinned percher from Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
 Creatively folded summer straw hat with hand-dyed ribbon trim from British milliner Stephen Jones

Such a wonderful portrait of members of the Luxembourg Ducal family celebrating Grand Duke Jean’s 98th birthday
Sweet snaps of Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques visiting Santa Claus in Lapland, shared by their mum
You can always count on the Royal Family of Bourbon Two Sicilies for dramatic, glamorous (and cheesy) portraits. Here’s their 2019 New Years greeting.

Photos from social media as indicated