I need to step away from Royal Hats for a few weeks. After making a remarkable recovery from a health crisis and several surgeries, my mother unexpectedly passed away yesterday. She was incredibly touched by your well wishes for her recovery- after all we hear that is negative on the internet, she was amazed that strangers from around the world took the time to write her a message of encouragement. She was also absolutely delighted with the nickname you gave her- Hat Queen Mother – and would issue me a royal wave whenever she felt particularly regal (daily, it seemed!), citing her new title as justification to do so. This new moniker gave her great joy over the last few weeks and for this, I thank you so very much.
My mom was a talented amateur seamstress and I grew up at the foot of her sewing machine. I can identify fabric types, interesting construction details (and shoddy workmanship!) thanks to her tutelage and while she never commented here, her voice was woven into our conversations simply because it’s ingrained in my own perspective. She checked Royal Hats each morning, gently scolded when there was not a new post (or a feature of a hat she didn’t think warranted one!) and looked forward to Ascot more than anyone. She was my biggest fan and I can’t express how much I will miss her.
Over the coming days, I’ll post open posts for you to comment on (and share any hats that make an appearance) while I’m away. See you in a few weeks. And thank you.
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Dear Hat Queen,
I just read the sad news: I’m so sorry. My mother died last March and every day is an ache. Your mother sounds like she was such a dear wise supporter–as well as being your mom. Hugs, all sympathies.
Janet Webb (JanetETennessee)
Hat Queen, my heart hurts for you. May you celebrate your Mother’s life with joy. May each day, week, month gets easier for you as time passes. You are cared about by all of your hatters here. Thank you for all you do. – Katiebob
What a lovely post about your beloved mother! Your love and affection shines thru. My condolences on her loss.
My dear Hat Queen — I had been away from the blog for over a week due to illness and am only now catching up on this post and its many replies. My sincere condolences to you and your entire family for such a loss. I feel even more connected to your mother now that I know that she was a seamstress, as my own grandmother was a professional seamstress (apprenticed at the age of 13) back in the “olden days” when ladies of means had their clothing handmade. How wonderful that she was such a fan of your hat research and so supportive of all you have created here. I’ve no doubt she will be greatly missed!
Dear HatQueen , I hope in the past days you have been able to focus on the demonstrably close and inspirational relationship you shared with your own Queen Mother , the memories created during such a relationship are life lasting and life enhancing . Our thought’s and prayers are with you , and your family .
my thoughts are with you dear HatQueen. so sorry for your loss. nice to read though that your mother was such a fan of your page, like so many of us. please take as much time as you need with your family.
Dear Hat Lady, my sincere condoleances. It is always too early to loose the mother. But she is now with god and doing well. I wish you lots of love and wärmt in you griefs and that with the time the sweet rememberence will be stronger than the pain. With warm greetings, Nadine from Switzerland
Oh, Hat Queen, I am SO very sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear this. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Sending you and your family lots of love. Take all the time you need away from the blog, we’ll be here when you’re ready to come back. ❤
Oh goodness, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss! I enjoyed reading about your mother’s contributions to the blog. She sounds like a wonderful lady. My condolences!
So sorry for your loss. Your truly regal Hat Queen Mother will always be by your side.
My heartfelt condolences. I am so sorry for your loss, but know that she will always be with you. I lost my mum less than a year ago but I feel she continues to be near me. If I look back at my own experience, I would admit that I should have taken more time to grieve. I believe we need time to feel again every precious moment we lived through together. It gives a little more closure. My prayers are with you and your family.
My condolences to you and your family. I have never commented before but read your blog daily. Losing a parent is a unique experience that changes you. Your mother will live in your heart forever so cherish that as you wander your journey of grief. Talk about her, share her stories by doing so, while she is not physically here, she will be with you always. Hugs
So sorry for your loss, mums should stay forever, but she will continue to live in your heart!
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am sending you light and love. I go to your page every night after a long day. I work with the homeless community in CT and this just eases my brain before bed. Again I will think of you and Mum in the days, weeks and months ahead…
Oh dear Hat Queen, my condolences to you and your loved ones. It is hard to have to say your final farewell to a parent you so obviously and deeply loved. The love remains (and sustains) but these must be dark days for you now. The light will come back, I know. I wish you strength.
I am very sorry for your loss! Cherish each memory you have of Hat Queen Mother. You will meet again for sure in Hat Heaven ❤
My deepest sympathy. I’ve never commented before, but I read your blog daily. Take all the time you need.
My thoughts are with you at this sad time – I hope you can get what you need from your break.
Deepest sympathy on your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my Father a year ago this week – I haven’t stopped missing him, but it has got easier. The love never dies.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you and your family during this time. I have also lost my mother so I understand the depth of the loss for those of us blessed enough to have a close relationship with our mothers. Deep loss means a great love, which is priceless. My condolences.
So sorry to hear of this great loss, I can’t imagine how much heartache this brings. Sympathies to you and your family.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. We never have our mothers long enough! I have many pretty things in my home that were my mother’s, and I “hear” her voice in my head every day. I, too, would love to hear more stories about your dear mother.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope that you will be able to share more stories of your mother in the future.
I join the others in expressing my sympathy to you and your relatives on the loss of the Hat Queen Mother. Thank you for letting your followers know. You are in our thoughts.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My mom was an amazing seamstress too and I was such disappointment to her in that area. I remember wandering for days in fabric stores looking for a way out. I failed sewing lessons. ( turns out those little notches on the side of the pattern were important. I had cut them off) . She made all my clothes ..vogue and butterick patterns only. I was quite stylish for an eight grader !
My mother passed this past April . Grief is unique and each person needs the freedom to grieve according to their own heart. peace.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing with us the stories about your mother.
So sorry for your loss. I appreciate all your work on this site and look forward to your return.
My deepest sympathies to your family. Your mum sounds like a talented and wonderful lady.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May your mother rest in peace.
This is the first time I have commented and firstly send my deepest sympathies to you and your family for your loss. I very much enjoy your blog and look forward to each post. Take all the time you need. In saying this though from personal experience distraction can assist whilst grieving.
You are a wonderful daughter and I am so sad that you’ve lost your mother. Please accept my deepest condolences.
I am so sorry to hear about your mother passing. I didn’t even realize that she was unwell.
My deepest sympathies and my best wishes at this difficult time.
Shinjinee
(lost my mother in 2015)
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Deepest sympathy.
My most sincere condolences on the loss of your mother to you and your family. A mother is everything, and leaves a huge void when she departs, especially when one is so close to her as you have been to yours. RIP. Take good care.
oh HatQueen, such evocative photos you posted today with your note.
I am so sad hearing this news. From what you say, your mum sounds very special. And a hat-lover too. I’m touched to hear that you spent time with her connecting over your blog, talking hats together. What a blessing to have seen your personal creation – your blog – bringing enrichment to your mother’s life.
HM said in 2001 “Grief is the price we pay for love”. Take your time HQ, we’ll be here, whenever you return.
my sincere sympathies to you and your family!
I’m so sorry Hat Queen … I lit 2 candles today … one for your Mum and one for you !
My deep condolences to you and your family. Lovely tribute. Take care and hugs.
I am so sorry for your loss , your mother sounded amazing and you must be devastated
Thank you for taking the time to let your blog family know, you are so dedicated . All my sympathy
I am so sorry for you loss! She will reside in your heart forever. Prayers for you and your family!
Thinking of you, Hat Queen, and your forever regal Hat Queen Mother. From my own experience, I can say that mothers don’t pass away: their hats just become higher.
I’m very sorry to hear this – your words paint a picture of the sort of mother everyone would be lucky to have. My sympathies to you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing it with us. May the Lord give you comfort during this time and the many times in the days/months/years to come that you think of your dear mother. I am glad that this blog and the people on it gave her some joy in her last few days. Grieve well! We’ll be here when you are ready to come back.
Deepest sympathy on the passing of your mother. Memories are beautiful blessings that sustain us.
So sorry for your loss, sending my sympathy to your family.
So sorry, my dad died last year, so I know. It’s a whole new world today. Hugs from your many fans. Leslie
My sympathies to you and your family. Your words beautifully capture what a lovely and talented lady your mother was.
Thank you for your kind, thoughtful comments. I greatly appreciate the sense of community you all contribute to creating here at Royal Hats. I’m incredibly touched.