Author Archives: Royal Hats

Dutch Monarchs Mark Remembrance Day

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended the National Remembrance Ceremony at Dam Square today.

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The Dutch queen always wears a black hat for this event and today she wore a layered felt turban.

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At first glance, it appeared a repeat of this layered black felt turban. Closer inspection, however, shows the hats to be different- the design today features smaller layers, a narrower brim cuff (on the opposite side!) and a larger crown. Furthermore, the hat today is made of a lower nape felt that is noticeably smoother than the longer pile melusine felt of the previous hat. These slight tweaks give today’s hat a more refined feel, all around. With her dress, cape and pearl jewels, the hat tops an elegantly restrained look so well suited to this event.

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Designer: unknown. Massimo Dutti dress. 
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

What do you thin about Queen Máxima’s new turban?

Images from Getty and social media as indicated

Remembering Zulu Queen

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Queen Mantfombi Dlamini passed away unexpectedly last Thursday.  Born a Swazi princess, the daughter of King Sobhuza II  and sister of King Mswati III, she married King Goodwill Zwelithini in 1973 and and was queen consort of the Zulu Nation from 1977 to 2021. When her husband died in March, she served as queen regnant.

We have not admired the intricately beaded headdresses worn by Zulu queens here before- they really are striking.

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Our condolences are extended to the Zulu royal family.

Special thank you to reader Jake for sharing this story.

Images from Getty and social as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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A few weeks ago I mentioned a project I was working on behind the scenes. I’m so pleased to announce today’s launch of The British Millinery Association and most honoured to be a founding Ambassador.

Don’t worry- I have no plans to give up Royal Hats and things will continue here as usual. These weekend ‘extras’ posts have made me increasingly aware of a much larger millinery industry beyond just royal hats. The British Millinery Association aims to draw this larger group into an inclusive community that regularly gathers to develop skills, share ideas, preserve millinery’s heritage and innovate for the future. While primarily geared to milliners in the UK, membership is open to anyone passionate about hats, anywhere in the world.

For more information, visit The British Millinery Association and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Now- back to the hats!

King Carl Gustav was in military uniform and cap yesterday to celebrate his 75th birthday

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A very fun view of the top of several royal hats worn ten years ago to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding. To look back at all the hats at this wedding, jump over here.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Scarlet flat beret with appliqued  black  brocade lace and tulle pompom  by Australian milliner Lisa Hughes
Such striking stitching on this tan felt art deco inspired cloche by German brand Malinè
Petite sky blue saucer with floating blossoms by London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
Magenta felt fedora with kettle brim and high contrast yellow feather by Polish milliner Marta Ruta
A feast of textures on this ecru straw and silk boater hat with feathers by British milliner Beverley Edmonson
Avocado leather beret with green and gold feather flowers by Australian brand Locopa Designs Millinery
Such creative embellishment for this textured charcoal straw pillbox by South Korean milliner Eun Young Lee

Goldenrod yellow oversize cloche trimmed in satin and tan guipure lace by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
Burnt orange floral headpiece by Australian milliner Melanie Atherinos perfectly paired with a painterly dress
The most elegant shape on this oversize black straw cloche by Russian milliner Lia Gureeva
The prettiest periwinkle straw saucer with lush silk flowers and quills by British brand SB Millinery
Stunning beaded bow on this petrol blue velvet beret percher by Russian milliner Anna Andrienko
Deep berry pink silk bow headpiece by American milliner Christine Moore
Orange felt beret with colourful ribbon pinwheels by London-based Spanish milliner Rafa Peinador
Plum straw beaded button with an ethereal pleated crin brim by British milliner Victoria Grant

Lovely video and portraits shared by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their 10th wedding anniversary.

Images from social media as indicated 

Inventory: Princess Benedikte’s Pink and Burgundy Hats

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The Danish monarchy released a lovely new portrait of Princess Benedikte yesterday to celebrate her 77th birthday.

Taking inspiration from this photo, we’re marking her birthday with a look at her pink and burgundy hats:

1. 2.  3.   
Designer: all unknown
Introduced: October 2003 or earlier; April 2, 2005 or earlier; January 21, 2006 or earlier

4.    5.
Designer: both are unknown
Introduced: 2007 or earlier (feather pouf removed for an April 2015 outing and replaced by October 2017) May 11, 2011 or earlier

6.  7.
Designer: both are unknown
Introduced:  April 24, 2013; June 10, 2014

Princess Benedikte seems to favour deeper, berry shades and my, do they suit her well. I notice a streamlined, elegant aesthetic here with a single statement trim, if there’s to be trim at all. What do you notice about her pink hats?

Images from Marijan Murat/dpa/CorbisCorbis; Chris Jackson, Ole Jensen – Corbis/Corbis, and Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; Jesper Sunesen; Lars Salomonsen; Corbis​