Author Archives: HatQueen

Dutch Monarchs Visit South East Friesland

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King Willem Alexander and Queen Máxima spent a day in South East Friesland on Thursday, visiting a cheese farm, a traditional Skutjesilen sailing school and an eco farm, where they partook in a bike ride. For this engagement, Queen Máxima repeated her large, natural straw picture hat with upswept slice brim trimmed with a tan ribbon hatband, tied with an unstructured bow on the side.

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This hat is a familiar one- as we’ve seen it paired with nine different looks we’ve consistently admired its great shape, scale and go-with-everything natural hue. I think the discussion point here then, is this hat’s pairing with this dress. While the dress’ less structured shape fit with the more casual nature of this visit (a level of formality the hat adapted to easily, further showing its great versatility), this pairing of hat and dress lacks some of the high-impact statement we’ve seen this hat have with other outfits. I’m also not keen on the dress’ particular shade of orange, which I think might pair better with a lighter, creamer hat (or this darker one?).

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: Sep 4, 2019;Sep 27, 2018;  Jun 21, 2018; Oct 10, 2017; Sep 20, 2016;  Aug 30, 2014; May 24, 2014; May 30, 2013; Jan 24, 2013; Jan 21, 2013; Jul 2, 2011

What do you think of this hat’s outing in South East Friesland on Thursday?

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Photos from Getty as indicated 

Hat From the Past

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Royal Hats thirty-nine years ago to September 19, 1981 when Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako visited the United States. For a stop in Denver, Princess Hanko wore a very jaunty Breton hat with two-toned brim.

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Photo from Getty as indicated

Dutch Queen Opens Theater

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Queen Máxima was in Rotterdam this morning to open the Theater Zuidplein. For this event, she wore a new saucer disk hat in stripes of cream, tan and black straw trimmed with a pair of elevated black and cream feathers.

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It’s SO GOOD!! The graphic rings on the hat could read as gimmicky but are beautifully balanced, giving the perfect amount of dynamic contrast to the hat. The hat has a slight retro feel that pairs beautifully with the classic suit, the equally graphic pieces styled perfectly to work in harmony and not in opposition, as so easily could have been the case. The hat’s scale is fantastic, the finishing is impeccable, and the shape, which we’ve not often seen on Máxima, suits her well. The overall look is beautifully styled, the graphic pieces tempered by neutral accessories that lend elegance and polish to the ensemble. It’s all kinds of punchy perfection.

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Designer: Bettina Thomas. It is “African Hoopoe” from the Birds of SA Collection. Dress and Jacket by Oscar de la Renta
Previously Worn: This hat is new

South Africa-based French milliner Bettina Thomas has made some great hats for Queen Máxima and I hope this addition signals an ongoing and growing collaboration. My love for this hat is clear- what do you think of it?!

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Photos from Getty and The Dutch Monarchy’s social media as indicated 

Habsburg Bourbon Wedding in Austria

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On Saturday, Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and Archduchess Gabriella of Austria were married on the grounds of Schloss Tratzberg in Jenbach, Austria following a three year engagement. Archduchess Gabriella might be familiar to some of you- she is the daughter of Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria (thus niece of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg). There is a comprehensive explanation of the couple’s familial roots here.

Gabriella wore an ivory silk strapless gown with fitted bodice that extended to an A-line skirt with short train. A cropped overlay jacket of appliqued lace with three-quarter length and an embellished boat neckline topped the gown.


Gabriella completed her bridal look with full length lace veil and the Grand Duchess Adelaide Tiara with diamond leaf and berry motif and center sapphire (you can read more about the tiara over at Luxarazzi or The Court Jeweller). Some reports have suggested that the veil is the same as was worn by the bride’s elder sister Archduchess Marie Christine back in 2008 but as you’ll see here, the veil’s size and lace pattern is different. Whatever the provenance of the lace, it paired beautifully with the gown, lace jacket and delicate bandeau tiara to create a very pretty bridal look for Gabriella.

The wedding took place late afternoon so there were no hats but some lovely royal guest fashion is to be admired, including a sweet pink Austrian folk dress on the couple’s nearly 3-year old daughter, Victoria. At the back of the bottom photo, you’ll also catch wee Prince Charles of Luxembourg, proudly held by his papa.


Prinsjesdag 2020

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Members of the Dutch Royal family celebrated Prinsjesdag today, the start of a new session of Dutch parliament. While the event included King Willem-Alexander addressing a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives and the royal women wore the traditional gown and hat of 18th century court dress, cancellation of the carriage procession and balcony appearance, thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, gave it a very different feel than in years past.

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We’ve come to count on Queen Máxima to deliver glamour and she did not disappoint, standing out in an ochre yellow gown with horizontal, layered silk ruffles topped with a wired gold bandeau headpiece.

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It’s the first time Máxima has worn yellow for Prinsjesdag and it certainly makes a statement! Originally uncertain about the headpiece, closer views have made we warm to it; its lightness and delicacy works well with the gown, which could so easily be dragged down by a heavier piece. I wish the scale extended across the head in a complete bandeau but as it is, it’s a pretty, pared down piece that seems fitting for a pared down Prinsjesdag.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the “Charme” design. Gown by Claes Iversen
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Laurentien was dressed head to hem in grey, black and camel patterned Missoni knit, a three-piece top, skirt and fringed cape combination topped with a matching bandeau headpiece. The bandeau is simply but effectively trimmed with a black stripe.

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I’ll be honest- the 1970s throwback feel, the knit pattern and colour combination of this ensemble doesn’t appeal to me at all. My own bias aside, I have to concede that the choice of a bandeau shape with this outfit was a great call. I particularly like how the bandeau’s black stripe provides a punch of great graphic contrast and links well with the black stripe at the waist of the top. I appreciate the retro glam feel of this ensemble (Laurentien carries it better than most) but all that pattern and all that fringe put it over the top for me. Although…. haven’t we all been waiting months and months for some over-the-top royal fashion?!

 


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Designer: Eudia. Gown by Hardies Couture. Both are made of Missoni fabric. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new
The dress code of this event usually brings us some dramatic looks and, thankfully, Queen Máxima and Princess Laurentien did not disappoint. What do you think of this year’s pair of Prinsjesdag bandeaux?

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You can see all of the hats Queen Máxima has worn to Prinsjesdag over the years at this post

Photos from Getty as indicated