It’s been a long while since we embarked on a discussion topic so we’re easing back with perhaps the most overlooked of millinery elements- the hatband. Usually a band of Petersham ribbon, sinamay or felt that wraps around the base of a hat’s crown where it meets the brim, hatbands can coordinate, compliment, contrast, or completely disappear. I’m curious, dearest readers- which royal hats have the most interesting hatbands?
Image from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Some of my favourite floral hatbands
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I didn’t realize how many statement hatbands are on Princess Alexandra’s hats until this post! This is among my favourites, the design by Rachel Trevor Morgan who makes the hatband the star of the hat.
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Another good place to go hunting is Princess Anne’s early millinery collection. And nope, she didn’t disappoint. Buckled, threaded and a double stacked bow.
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Wow, that buckled one. I hadn’t realized that Anne had worked as a Braniff flight attendant.
My goodness- that buckle is something! The only other buckle bedecked hatband on a royal hat that comes to mind is this one
I seem to remember gigantic buckles being all the rage at that time — on clothing as well as on hats. I had a belt back then that had such a large buckle that I couldn’t lean forward without discomfort.
one i’d not seen before
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It’s most convenient when the hatband is woven right into the capeline!
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Such a fun post. Thank you. Some wonderful contributions.
I had a feeling Princess Beatrix would have something for us. The band of textured leaves is particularly inventive!
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How did I forget about Beatrix’s Reese’s peanut butter cup hat?!
Here are four more from Queen Elizabeth:
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It’s not her only band of leaves!
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Her patent leather is also memorable
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Not just ribbon- woven ribbon!
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I think this stacked hatband is wonderfully striking.
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I’m often surprised how few patterned hatbands we see on royal hats!
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subtle hm patterns
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here’s an unusual hatband.
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Indeed!! The movement on this one is all kinds of lovely.
A Twist from Diana…
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…and a plait from Alexandra.
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And speaking of Alexandra, this one defies description!
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This is a new one to me and it’s among the most interesting hatbands I’ve ever seen on a royal hat!
I think I could make this from a string of bathroom scrubbies!
I am partial to the feathered hat band like the fedora hat band we saw on the Duchess of Cambridge on a Christmas walk at Sandringham or the Duchess of Wessex in the car on the way to church at Sandringham. I think it may have been the same style in different colors.
Ah- these hats from Hicks and Brown!
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Same hat different color?
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Two furry hatbands on Princess Margaret?
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Or one lurking amongst the feathers?
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a few from hm;
fishnet (used as a ‘band’)
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multi-thread trim
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and (p)leather – not sure its a hatband without a brim, but its a hat with a band!
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such a coincidence- I saw this wonderful pic of queen mum as duchess of york at ascot in 1931 a few days ago and couldn’t tell what this ‘band’ is – any ideas??? (unfortunately no option to embed the image!)
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/wife-of-king-george-vi-and-mother-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-news-photo/1036124636?adppopup=true
It looks like the flowers on her dress
I’ve always loved the colour blocking on this 70’s outfit, and the buckled hatband is a jaunty touch.
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Also pretty jaunty is, erm, Camilla’s giant rolled sausage!
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I hope Camilla threw that hat away after (or during) that engagement!
just the hatband! I would love to see her in this rich blue more often. The scarf and coat are good too.