On Monday, I received some insightful feedback from reader Judith, who wrote,
“While I really like Wies Mauduit’s fur felt fedora featured on 31 December, I would have to say that it is really more cheetah than leopard. I have been fortunate to live in Botswana, and to get to know two cheetahs at a local reserve. Leopard spots are much more rosettes than spots. The cheetah has true round spots, as you can see on the right”.
Judith- you are absolutely correct. Thanks so much for helping me better learn my animal prints! This exchange inspired my discussion question this week, one that may be one of our toughest yet. Dearest readers- which royal hats can you recall in animal prints?
Photos from Lars Krogsgaard via the Danish Monarchy
Royal Hats 
What a terrific post this is! I must confess that it is rather difficult to name the spots correctly; sometimes you get fur felts that are a sort of mixture in between tigers and leopards, so to be on the safe side I call them “animal print”, but of course it is more evocative to say “cheetah” or “leopard”. Hard to believe that sixty years ago ladies were still walking around in the real thing, isn’t it?
I have a nice stash of striped and spotted felts waiting to be turned into hats and some silks too. I’ll take care to mention the name of the right animal, thank you Judith!
Bit of a leap here, but Zara Tindall Cheltenham 2017 with jewels on her hat that look, to me, like leopard rosettes:
https://royalhats.net/2017/03/16/cheltenham-festival-day-3/#comments
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Royal adjacent: Dolly Maude with Zara and Mike Tindall Cheltenham 2015
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I’ll buy in on Zara’s, Shanon! That is indeed what they look like.
Here’s a fascinating find- Princess Hanako in a blue monochrome leopard print gown and matching hat. Screen shot from ANN News
The only zebra print hat I can think of is this one, worn by Countess Diane of Nassau, wife of Grand Duke Henri’s brother, Jean, to Prince Felix and Princess Claire’s wedding.
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Turns out there are nowhere near as many animal print titfers as I thought they’d be. So this one is royal adjacent – The Duchess of Westminster is Prince William’s Godmother at least – and she’s gone full animal print with the dress with a hint of the zebra continued onto the feather. A bold look! Embed from Getty Images
JamesB, I kept thinking “I know this print…” Just realized it was reminding me of the wallpaper in a neighbors powder room when I was a kid back in the 70s!!
https://www.google.com/search?q=70s+scalamandre+red+zebra+wallpaper&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi4-aKioo3uAhWGUawKHRaEBPQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=70s+scalamandre+red+zebra+wallpaper&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDFC9hhFYnbQRYMzEEWgAcAB4AIABlwuIAdd1kgEHNS0xLjUuOJgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=4sz4X7iAFYajsQWWiJKgDw&bih=937&biw=1699&client=firefox-b-1-d
Oh I’d quite like a room with that wallpaper! That’s a perfect place to drink fine wine I think…
Does this scarf count? Ha ha.
May 11, 2007: Royal Windsor Horseshow
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You beat me to this, Jimbo! It certainly meets the definition of “animal print.” HA!
I was going to post that too, but thought it was definitely cheating!!
I think a plastic Alice band is as close as we’ll get with Kate… she’s not much of an animal print person, the odd bit including her Dalmatian print coat, but this is it for headwear I think. Embed from Getty Images
MrFitzroy would dearly love to see HM wearing Liz Taylor’s hat!!!!!
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I saw some of these coats too – Princess Margaret also had one. Of course they’ll be made from real leopard fur, which fees incomprehensible to us now!
JamesB, I was thinking the same thing as I was reviewing photos…..these sorts of (real) furs used to be so common, and now they literally seem alien, though still interesting as a historical snapshot in time.
MrFitzroy, I think a hat swap was in order here… Embed from Getty Images
Princess Michael looking particularly fetching in spots!
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As we all have now learned- cheetah spots!
The former Empress of Iran.
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Princess Michael in a leopard print trimmed turban?! I’m in!
Sadly this cannot be embedded…
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/princess-michael-of-kent-nee-baroness-marie-christine-von-news-photo/52240804
That’s a beautiful portrait of her.
Queen Elizabeth: Royal Ascot June 23, 2018
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I think this one is my favourite of all snakeskin royal hats. With the green feathers, it’s so lovely! Designed by Angela Kelly and made by Stella McLaren.
The only other snakeskin royal hat I can think of is this one and it’s just a bit on the trim. Photo by Axel Heimken via Corbis
Hi Everyone, I have been reading this wonderful blog for a couple of years, but never commented before. It wasn’t until I moved to Africa that I knew the difference between cheetah and leopard. Getting to know two cheetahs, Duma and Letotse (who had been mistakenly hand-reared by another organization, and couldn’t live in the wild) was an amazing experience. I have a soft spot for cheetahs, as they are rapidly declining in numbers. Their fur is fairly soft to the touch, but their tongues are very rough!
Your comment has inspired this lively discussion, Judith, so thank you!
Welcome Judith to the realm of commenters, and thanks for teaching me to pay better attention to spots with hats and clothes! In my laziness I would’ve called both types of spots “leopard”, but clearly that’s not true.
Snow leopards are my all-time favorite big cat (and animal in general), but cheetahs are a close second. Extremely jealous you’ve been able to interact with Duma and Letotse! I really hope we never lose either of them (or really any animals) to extinction.
Thank you, Jake. I am very appreciative of the expertise of all of you and the insightful posts and comments. This blog educates and entertains me, and is a place of civility, courteousness, and humor.
Like mummy, like daughter! Wouldn’t it be neat if it was the same hat?
Sophie: December 25, 2014
https://royalhats.net/2020/02/10/one-coat-four-hats-2/
Lady Louise: December 25, 2018
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Here’s a photo of Sophie’s pillbox on December 25, 2014 (photo by GoffPhotos.com/Splash News via Corbis). Clearly, it’s not the same as Lady Louise’s beret!
A diiferent view of Sophie’s Christmas hat about 3/4 of the way down in this article:
https://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/royal-style/2020043089036/royals-wearing-leopard-print-outfits/
here’s a subtle grey leopard design on queen mathilde. not convinced of pairing with multi dress but interesting all the same. sorry not great photo, but only transferable image could find.
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Great catch! Here are closeups of this Fabienne Delvigne hat, photos by Corbis.
Countess of Wessex Sophie, April 9, 2005
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Snakeskin printed straw from Philip Treacy! Here’s another view
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Princess Maxima 2004
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Duchess of Cornwall 2015
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love this feather-trimmed snake print Shanon – another one would love to see soon. sure would match with a number of outfits. thanks for sharing
Here’s a better view of this hat, by Philip Treacy
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Wow beautiful a little animal print with that colour is fabulous. Thank you for sharing.
Loretta
I love the way Camilla and Sophie mix Fur and Feathers in their hats. It produces some great looks.
Ooh exciting! I love these posts (sure you might have spotted…)
How’s this for starters?
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Wow this hat fabulous the shape too.
Thank you for sharing.
Loretta
would love to see this Treacy hat again James
heres one of my Camilla favourites – with double animal print on fur and feather…
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This hat is fun! I agree in that she should wear it again. Great find!
Leopard straw by Philip Treacy! Here’s another view
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This was the hat I first thought of for animal print. Thanks for finding and sharing. I think Zara needs to wear it again.