Author Archives: HatQueen

This Week’s Extras

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On Monday, the Akishinos visited the Imperial Musashino Cemetery in Hachioji. Princess Kiko wore a black silk bumper hat.
Prince Charles in a white kippah on Tuesday for a visit to the Nidhe Israel synagogue in Bridgetown, Barbados
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On Wednesday, a concert by music university graduates held at the Imperial Palace was enjoyed by several members of the Japanese royal family. Crown Princess Masako and Princess Kiko repeated bumper hats in oyster beige and pale blue; Princess Mako wore a navy cuffed calot with pointed sides and Princess Kako, a pale blue silk bowler hat. Princess Akiko repeated a pistachio green brimmed hat and Princess Yoko, a black design with square crown and short kettle brim edged in trim.


Yesterday, Queen Mathilde attended the funeral of Cardinal Godfried Danneels in her black calot wrapped in overlaid wide stripes of textured black woven fabric and trimmed with a large looped rosette on the side.
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During this week’s Danish state visit to Argentina, Crown Prince Frederik gained a bird’s eye view of a wind farm development (wind turbines from designed and built by a Danish company) near the city of Bahia Blanca. The Danish monarchy also shared photographs taken in northern Argentina after the official visit that show Queen Margrethe in what looks like a new, flat crowned, red brimmed hat 


Congratulations to Princess Mako who is graduating from the International Christian University in Tokyo. She took part in the graduation ceremony yesterday  in a gown and mortarboard hat.
Casual hats for Peter Phillips and Princess Anne today, cheering on Zara Tindall who is competing at the Gatcombe Horse Trials held on the grounds of Princess Anne’s estate.
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The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Statement gold freeform percher with butterflies by New York brand Suzanne Couture Millinery
Purple feather covered pillbox percher from Melbourne brand Jill & Jack Millinery
Sharp stylized cream felt trilby with black floral trim from Russian milliner Denis Gulyaev
Adore the colour contrast on this large copper straw disk with blue feathers from Irish milliner Aiofe Harrison
Vibrant purple straw button percher with pink flower and feather spray from US brand Fascinate Designs
Wonderful vintage print on this navy and cream pillbox by Australian milliner Chris Mullane
Blush straw saucer with light-as-air tulle pompom trim from British milliner Sarah Cant
Sculptural and beautifully draped red felt headpiece from American brand ChuChu NY
For our dear gents, this very elegant black beaver felt fedora from Danish brand Hornskov København
In a time when the need for recycling only increases in importance, Kenya-based milliner Chloe Mitchell
trimmed this charming ecru and grey floral embellished percher entirely out of felt scraps

And from British milliner Marisa Groom, this cream and pink straw beret percher with ombre cream, grey and pink organza ruffles.

York Princess Supports Orthopaedic Hospital

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The Duke of York, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank visited the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital yesterday to open their newly redeveloped Stanmore Building.

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The engagement has a very personal connection to Princess Eugenie, who underwent scoloiosis surgery at this facility when she was age 12 and, very fittingly, was officially named as the hospital’s patron this week . For this visits, she repeated the black duchess silk hand-made bandeau headpiece with ruched center we saw her first wear at Christmas.

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A bandeau headpiece was a great choice for this visit- a visit that’s more informal in nature but the first by its new patron. As on it’s first outing, my main issue here is placement- it just seems too far forward. Indeed, the bandeau and coat dress aren’t the most harmonious pairing but it looks here that the visit was designed to be low key and this headpiece does the trick.

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Designer: Emily London; it is a bespoke version of the “Ellen” design.
Previously Worn: Dec 25, 2018

It’s nice to see Princess Eugenie on such a personal visit, and to see her new husband Jack along to support (his first official engagement, I do believe!) a facility that is clearly, of great importance to her. In such circumstances, hats hardly matter.

Photos from Getty as indicated

Danish State Visit To Argentina: Day 3

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Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik undertook a busy programme of events the Agentinian city of Tandil yesterday, including stops at city hall, a park with state of an early Danish immigrant (who became mayor) and the Danish Church. For these events, Queen Margrethe repeated her bright pink straw hat, trimmed with double navy floral fabric hatband bound in navy piping and double row of the same small flowers in white, pink and navy organza with unfinished edges.

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This is another one of Margrethe’s go-to summer ensembles and offered some vibrant contrast after the softer hued ensembles worn on the first two days of this visit. I’m still not a fan of the hatband or fussy flowers (a wide navy petersham ribbon and a single large silk bloom, please) but quietly admire anyone who can pull off a bright pink suit and hat.

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Designer: likely Peter Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: June 6, 2018; June 2, 2018; May 29, 2018; Aug 28, 2017;  June 16, 2017; September 12, 2016; June 27, 2016; June 3, 2016; August 31, 2015; June 26, 2015

I’ll admit- I’m a little disappointed we didn’t see a new hat on Queen Margrethe in Argentina this week (I was REALLY hoping we would). The hat’s that did make the journey for this visit are familiar repeats but still solid choices. What are your thoughts about Margrethe’s hats this week?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Danish State Visit To Argentina: Day 2

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The second day of the Danish state visit to Argentina included visits to the Parque de la Memoria, Teatro Colón opera house and participation in a Business Seminar at Kirchner Cultural Centre. For these events, Quen Margrethe repeated her pale pink straw hat with slightly upswept brim on one side. The hat is trimmed with a side spray of white silk flowers and a pink silk ribbon hatband and brim binding that are both piped with a slim stripe of white.

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The piping on he hat, dress and jacket unify the three pieces and add a crisply tailored sense to the ensemble. Yes, it’s very matched and the shape isn’t overly exciting but… does it have to be? I admit that I prefer watching the royals who style different outfits, mixing hats with different pieces but understand that, for some royals (mostly those with, err, um, advanced maturity), perfectly coordinated outfits and hats that can’t really be worn with other pieces, is the way to go. It’s a polished way to create a royal wardrobe, as evidenced by this ensemble on Margrethe yesterday.

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Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen. White silk flowers by Danish fleuriste Effi Pingel
Previously Worn: June 29, 2018; June 3, 2018; Nov 23, 2017; July 15, 2017

Any new thoughts on this hat?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Queen And Duchess Open University

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The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge took part in a rare joint engagement today, officially opening the new campus University College London at Bush House, the old home of the BBC World Service in central London.

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For this event, Queen Elizabeth repeated her dusty pink coat and hat with domed crown and downward facing brim, trimmed with black and pink hatbands and a side spray of handmade silk flowers. A close look at this hat shows a straw underbrim, leading me to conclude the brim is covered in the same wool silk fabric as the Queen’s coat (instead of made of felt, as I believe the crown is). The hat is impeccably finished and beautifully balanced, that slim black hatband adding a punch of contrast and the flowers adding some dimension and colour to the design.

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan. Coat by Stewart Parvin.
Previously Worn: Mar 27, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge repeated one of her most oft worn hats, a black felt beret percher trimmed with felt leaves and a cut felt feather and chrysanthemum bloom. This is the  seventh outfit we’ve seen paired with this hat and, I think, it’s most successful – I really like how the sharp velvet collar on the dress links with the hat and black accessories, creating a very polished ensemble. Some of you will remember this hat made its debut at Kate’s first joint engagement with the Queen back during Diamond Jubilee visits in 2012 and I think it’s hardly a coincidence she brought it back today.

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Designer: Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. It is the “Fairy Tale” style. Dress by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: Jan 10, 2015; Dec 27, 2015; Mar 29, 2014; Nov 11, 2013; Sep 23, 2013; Mar 17, 2013; Mar 8, 2012

We don’t see many joint engagements such as this and it looks like an enjoyable day for the Queen and Duchess. What do you think of their hats?

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Photos from Getty as indicated

Danish State Visit To Argentina

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Queen Margrethe arrived in Buenos Aires on Sunday, a day ahead of the start of a state visit to Argentina. For her arrival at the Danish embassy (presumably her home base during the visit?), she repeated her navy felt hat with rounded crown, gently raised kettle brim and wide silk hatband with tied bow at the side.

Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: Sep 7, 2018;  May 9, 2017; May 3, 2017

For the official welcome yesterday at Casa Rosada Presidential Palace and visits to the supreme court and Argentine National Congress, the Danish queen repeated her pale blue straw picture hat with openly woven sideswept brim. The hat’s trim, a posy of pink and white silk cockscomb flowers and green feather leaves, links with the floral print on the accompanying silk dress and coat.

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We’ve seen the hat before but so there’s no much to add except to say that it’s still a great one for Margrethe. The open weave on the brim gives such textural contrast and lightness to the overall look. I will repeat my compliments about the overall the balance of this ensemble from its last outing– neckline and brim, texture and pattern, solid and print are all great. It’s a pretty and elegant look for Queen Margrethe.

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Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: July 4, 2018; October 22, 2015; June 25, 2013

The visit continues through Wednesday, and I think we can expect another hat or two!

Photos from Getty as indicated

Tindall Christening

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I’m a bit torn about posting this event as it was a private one… but my love for Zara’s hat is spurring me forward so here goes. Members of the British royal family gathered at St Nicholas Church in Cherington, Gloucestershire, yesterday for the christening of Mike and Zara Tindall’s second daughter, Lena. Zara wore a wonderful magenta felt teardrop percher hat trimmed with a large stylized flower with trailing petals and centered with a button. I adore the bright pop of colour, particularly coordinated with her fantastic shoes.

Designer: Bridget Robbins (The Cotswold Millinery). It is the “Elizabeth” design.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Queen Elizabeth repeated her ecru, pink and pale blue woven silk wool coat and hat with diagonal crown, trimmed with delicate wired sequin flower trim. Yesterday’s grey skies don’t show the beautiful dimension and shades of blue and pink that shine through this fabric (jump over to previous wearings to see how lovely it is).

Designer: Angela Kelly. Made by Stella McLaren.
Previously Worn: Aug 19, 2018; May 9, 2017;  Feb 28, 2017; Sep 11, 2016; Sep 6, 2015; May 20, 2015; Dec 30, 2014, Apr 30, 2013

Princess Anne topped her camel coat with a two toned straw hat trimmed in feathers. I suspect this may be a remodeled version of the hat below we’ve seen Anne wear a few times- the toast hued crown and cream sideswept brim appear to be the same colours and shapes- with a changeover of feather trim. We’ll have to wait for a better look at this hat to verify if it’s a remodel (something Anne seldom does) or an entirely new design.


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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: ??

Autumn Phillips repeated a black velour felt beret base percher hat trimmed with looped bow and feather. It’s a good counterpoint for Autumn’s vibrant blue coat, the dark hue grounding the look and the smaller footprint of the brimless design pairing well with the oversized collar. Dressing in between seasons can be tough and this look, like Zara’s, combines some spring colour with winter practicality for a stylish look. It’s also lovely to see that Savannah and Isla Phillips and big sister Mia Tindall were included in the day’s events.

Designer: Whiteley. Karen Millen coat.
Previously Worn: Aug 26, 2018

The Duchess of Sussex repeated her black felt formed beret hat. The simple design isn’t terribly exciting but well-suited to a private, family event in the country such as this.

Designer: I suspect Stephen Jones. Coat is 1960s Dior by Marc Bohan Haute Couture.
Previously Worn: Nov 11, 2018

Thoughts about the hats at this lovely family event yesterday?

Photos from Getty as indicated