Full time working members of the British royal family featured prominently at Saturday’s coronation, no doubt in recognition for the considerable support they provide the monarchy.
The Prince of Wales wore the deep blue velvet mantle and gold collar of the Royal Order of the Garter over the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh guards, complete with cap.
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The Princess of Wales wore a bespoke white silk gown embroidered in roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks beneath the deep blue and scarlet robes and gold collar awarded her as Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO). Her halo bandeau headpiece is made of silk flowers and leaves embroidered in silver bullion and crystal which, according to Vogue, is a “nod to… the Green Man. An ancient figure from British folklore, the Green Man symbolizes spring and rebirth. He wears a crown of oak, ivy, and hawthorn, and the emblematic flowers.”
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It feels like a modern take on a tiara- the shape and scale certainly follows that of a traditional tiara while the embroidered leaves and flowers gives the piece the most intricate dimension and a decidedly contemporary feel. The collaboration of milliner and designer created a piece (and Charlotte’s mini version) that are exquisite and impeccably made, and will undoubtedly, stand the test of time.
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Designer: Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen. Dress and cape Alexander McQueen.
As one of four Pages of Honour for the king, Prince George wore a knee-length scarlet coat with gold trimmings over an ivory satin waistcoat, and white silk shirt with jabot. Originally made by Ede and Ravenscroft during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, these items were tailored for this coronation. Instead of traditional breeches and stockings, the pages wore more modern black naval trousers.
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Princess Charlotte dazzled in a scaled down version of her mother’s ensemble, a white silk dress with pleated cape embroidered with the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock quartet of United Kingdom national flowers. Her headpiece featured the same beautifully delicate embroidered leaves and flowers as those on her mum’s, scaled down perfectly for her.
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Designer: Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen. Dress and cape Alexander McQueen.
Concluding the Wales children’s patriotic red, white and blue ensembles was Prince Louis in a navy Hainsworth Garter Blue Doeskin Tunic and black pants with Garter Blue Stripe.
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The Duke of Edinburgh wore the Order of the Garter regalia, including black velvet hat with white ostrich plume.
The Duchess of Edinburgh wore Grand Cross Mantles of the Royal Victorian Order atop a spectacular gown embroidered with British meadow flowers. Her gown was inspired by the1953 coronation regalia and gown worn by Queen Elizabeth II and also the incredible work of ceramic artist Rachel Dein. Made by British label Suzannah London, the gown was embroidered by master embroiderer Jenny King.
Sophie wore a headpiece of “Hand made satin leaves set on a headband and encrusted with Swarovski crystals, to match the lace by @jennykingembroidery on the gown made by @suzannahlondon Silver plated snowdrops cast in English silver especially made for this bespoke piece. Silver work by @eilyoconnelljewellery.” Credit is also due to British master flower maker Svetlana Faulkner, who made all of the white silk petal leaves on this design. The movement, circling around Sophie’s head, is so striking.
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Designer: Svetlana Faulkner (PresentPerfect Creations) and Eily O Connell for Jane Taylor. Gown by Suzannah London with lace by Jenny King Embroidery.
Lady Louise Windsor wore a soft periwinkle saucer hat with windowpane brim, trimmed with curled bows. It is the first wide brimmed hat we have seen on her and together with her floral dress, it makes such a lovely ensemble.
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Designer: “Pomona” by Jane Taylor. Dress by Suzannah London
Previously Worn: This hat is new
The Earl of Wessex donned a black top hat for the first time for the carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace.
The Princess Royal arrived at Westminster Abbey in the uniform of her rank of Colonel of the Blues and Royals, with black bicorn hat trimmed with a scarlet vertical feather. Atop this she wore the dark green Order of the Thistle Mantle and gold collar, and Garter Sash, Garter Star, Thistle Star, GCVO Star, KCVO Star and Companion of the Order of the Bath decorations.
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Princess Anne explained her role in the procession back to Buckingham Palace recently during an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Company. “I have a role as the Colonel of the Blues and Royals in the Household Cavalry regiment as Gold Stick. And Gold Stick was the original close protection officer. So that is a role I was asked if I’d like to do for this coronation, so I said yes. Not least of all, it solves my dress problem.” Indeed!
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Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence wore the uniform and cap of his naval rank.
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The Duke of Kent wore the mantle and collar of the Royal Order of the Garter while his sister, Princess Alexandra, wore the Grand Cross Mantles and collar of the Royal Victorian Order.
The Duke of Gloucester wore the black velvet hat with white ostrich plume of the Order of the Garter (along with the Garter mantle and gold collar). Duchess of Gloucester wore a white silk bandeau headpiece trimmed in white cut feathers and a bow at the side. Like the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra, she wore a white gown beneath the Grand Cross Mantles and collar of the Royal Victorian Order.
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Designer of the Duchess’ headpiece: unknown
There was clearly a communicated dress code for the royal women (excluding Princess Anne in her unique role) and the unity of white gowns and headpieces (again, with one exception) made a striking group.
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Royal Hats 
Along with everyone else I had hoped for tiaras, but these co-ordinating headpieces, using sterling silver and crystals, looked very well on the day, and made a nice link between the monarchs in their gem encrusted crowns and the guests in their hats.
I thought the gradation in importance signified by the diminishing elaboration of headdress was subtly done – from Catherine’s very imposing pseudo-tiara down to Princess Alexandra’s “I’m about to retire, I don’t need a new headdress at all”.
I wonder if we will see this headdress on the Princess of Wales again, at a State Opening of Parliament, rather than a tiara, or if it was a Coronation unique wear?
trickymum, what an excellent suggestion for the Princess of Wales to wear the headpiece again at a State Opening of Parliament, and perhaps also the gown as well, perhaps most appropriately at the first one post-Coronation.
I wonder if anyone else besides me noticed the instances, both on the TV coverage and in some of these photos, of both the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Edinburgh occasionally stealing a glance at their children as if to verify that they were looking as they should and behaving well. Lady Louise looked wonderful in her first large hat, and I loved the way not only did Princess Charlotte’s outfit and headpiece echo her mother’s, but also even her hairstyle.
HatQueen, thank you so much for this awesome collection of photos, videos and explanations — a perfect summation of a glorious day.
I thought the Princess of Wales’ headpiece echoed those worn by the late Queen’s ladies at her coronation. The Green Man never occurred to me! I wonder if Princess Alexandra was given the choice of wearing the heavy velvet Garter robes or the lighter silk robes of the Victorian order. I know which I would have chosen in her place!
Thank you for the great coverage, as always. I am torn, since I liked all the head pieces worn by the royal women very much, but couldn’t see any advantage at all over tiaras (except, I suppose, to make the occasion unique). There are so many lovely tiaras that never see the light of day that it seemed like a lost opportunity in that sense. I am very glad that there was indeed an agreed dress for the royal women (and indeed the royal men), since it gave a sense of unity to the occasion, which I suppose in past coronations would have been imparted by the peers (including royal ones) in their robes.
And I loved Lady Louise’s hat and dress.
This event was memorable and all the participants performed their tasks beautifully. Since there were not tiaras I guess I’ll be satisfied with those wonderful coronation crowns. The King and Queen looked majestic wearing them. I would have preferred tiaras on the BRF ladies but everyone still looked special in their fancy facinators.
The Prince of Wales in his Welsh Guards cap looked splendid.
I too was sorry the Royal Ladies didn’t wear tiaras. There are so many beautiful ones available to them it seems a strange decision. Wearing , perhaps, the less elaborate and less well known tiaras would have been a nice nod to the late Queen Elizabeth and history.
Of the headpieces, all so beautifully made, I liked that of The Duchess of Edinburgh best. It was quite delicate and suited her very well. I felt that of The Princess of Wales was a little too imposing and Princess Charlotte’s version was much better.
The gowns and robes were all beautiful.
Lady Louise looked lovely in her periwinkle blue hat which toned so well with her pretty dress. The scale of the hat for her was perfect.
Lady Louise has certainly become a beautiful woman and this ensemble she wore Saturday was a flawless look! I am looking forward to seeing more of her as the years go by! Lilac is a good color on her and the larger headwear was fantastic! She wore it well! It fit her height and figure!
The other women’s headpieces were beautiful, too, but, oh–so disappointing!!!! At first look I thought Kate was in a new tiara and was very excited and then I woke up! It is a new modern era and we must adjust our expectations. At least, tiaras were still worn at the first State Banquet of the new King and Queen. So, that tradition is still present for which I am very grateful!
Thank you for the huge number of pictures. I too am use to the sparkling jewels. It did leave me a wee bit disappointed in the choice of head attire for the ladies. The Royal jewel collection still exists and it would not have cost more to wear them. Although trying to be modern and economical, in the end it cost more as they had to buy the headpieces.
Miss Harry so much. I hope there is some way he comes back into the fold. I have no opinion on Meghan at all.
May I congratulate you on another fascinating post with a super selection of photos; it was very interesting to see the detailed technical information relating to the PssoW and DssoE’s headpieces and the latter’s gown (gorgeous from the front but a bit too reminiscent of a – particularly glamorous – nightdress from the back!).
Personally, I found the decision to use headpieces as opposed to tiaras a missed opportunity and, however elegant, they pushed the impression made by the looks into costume territory.
As you say, there appears to have been a diktat regarding the dress code for the senior royal women since, if I were PssAlexandra, I would have chosen my Garter robes and insignia.
I should also have said that the hat worn by Lady Louise was extremely well chosen in terms of design & colour: it can’t be easy to transition to wearing larger, more statement hats but this example suited her perfectly. And her overall look (except for the hair tendrils) was one of the best IMO (Samantha Cameron, wife of a former Primer Minister, also wore a gorgeous hat & dress combination).
Despite the pre-Coronation rumours, I was still hoping for Royals in tiaras and dripping in sparkling jewels. However, this was certainly the next best thing. They all looked stupendous – all of the floral headpieces looked amazing, as well as beautifully made. In the end it all seemed wonderfully appropriate for a modern ceremony. They appeared as a great support for our new King and Queen (who also looked impeccable). Great to see the robes also, and the men in their traditional headwear too. Shame about the drizzle but it didnt detract from an amazing day. God Save the King (and Queen!)
*Looking forward to coverage of the other guests in their hats…
Beautiful photos.