Author Archives: Royal Hats

Luxembourg State Visit to Japan

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Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg arrived in Japan today for a three day state visit.

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For the official welcome, Empress Michiko  ventured away from of her usual grey toward some colour! She topped her muted canteloupe (or peach? pumpkin? amber?) orange silk suit with a matching saucer hat trimmed in a folded bow. The high-sheen silk on the bow links with a panel of the same fabric on her jacket, drawing the pieces together and making a characteristically unified ensemble. While there’s nothing surprising about the saucer shape, the change of colour is a welcome one.

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Princess Alexandra stepped in for her mother (whose fear of flying prevented her from making the long trip) in a white suit with a feathered bandeau headpiece worn on the back of her head as a calot. It’s a more demure look than we’re used to on the young princess, likely chosen to fit with the Imperial Royal Family’s fairly conservative style. The most exciting thing about this headpiece is that it is same one that Princess Tessy wore in June 2013 for Luxembourg National Day, making me strongly suspect that it originated in the Grand Duchess’ closet.

    

  

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: June 23, 2013 by Princess Tessy 
Crown Princess Masako topped her royal blue coat with a matching hat. There are many things to like here- the hat’s wide black hatband coordinates beautifully with the black velvet collar and cuffs on Masako’s coat and the colour is SO lovely on her. I’d much prefer sharper lines on the hat (I’m not such a fan of the thick, curved brim  and a slightly different shape (nix the the slightly bulbous crown) but will settle for contentment over the saturated colour, which carries the piece.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn:  January 26, 2016
It’s always nice to see the Imperial royal ladies venture out a bit with their millinery choices- what do you think of this trio of hats today in Tokyo?
Photos from Getty as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Royal Hats

On Monday, Empress Michiko attended the 70th anniversary of the Japanese Nursing Association in Tokyo in a mushroom grey rimmed saucer with green and grey plaid origami bow. Also that day, she and the Emperor attended a ceremony to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the enforcement of Local Autonomy Act- her hat was a repeated white saucer with dark olive ombre bow and floral embellishment

Nov 20, 2017 | Royal Hats Nov 20, 2017 | Royal Hats

On Wednesday, members of the Imperial Royal family attended a memorial service for late Prince Norihito of Takamado (Princess Hisako’s late husband, father of Princess Tsuguko, Princess Ayako and Mrs. Noriko Senge) was held at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo. As expected, those in attendance wore demure black brimless hats (Imperial Family Of Japan).

For the second day of her state visit to Ghana yesterday, Queen Margrethe repeated her white straw hat

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa helped Princess Stéphanie try on a cosy knitted hat (with gigantic pompom) yesterday when the two visited an international bazaar and the resulting photos are quite sweet

Respected Norwegian royal reporter Kjell Arne Totland‏ reported this week that Crown Princess Mette-Marit has returned to work after treatment for Benign Postional Vertigo. This condition, which leaves one feeling like feeling like their head is spinning from the inside, could explain Mette-Marit’s millinery choices (or lack thereof) in recent years. 

The new millinery designs that caught my eye this week included:

Natural straw saucer with striking twist ‘flames’ from Australian milliner Marilyn Van den Berg
Striking fuchsia percher with frayed navy tulle pouf by Bundle McLaren
Red straw boater with floral applique trim by Tasmania based Cessiah Alice
Emerald felt fedora with jewelled fuchsia hatband from Jess Collett
Sweet pink straw percher trimmed in a mass of pink crin calla lilies from Goldust Millinery
Large dotted saucer slice hat from British milliner Nerida Fraiman
Black felt boater with veil from Texas based Milli Starr Millinery
Rust velvet felt percher with orange and red origami trim from Sarah Cant
Sharp navy fedora with side bow custom made by The Saucy Milliner for Sophie Trudeau
Dramatic red garbo hat in Peachblossom felt from Philip Treacy

And from Jane Taylor, this purple velvet percher with dusty rose and purple ombre pleated crin ruffle. So luxe.

 Royal Hats

A thanksgiving scene from the lens of James Ogilvy. I hope all you American readers had a wonderful holiday!

Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall At Ascot

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The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall took in the Prince’s Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse today.

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Camilla repeated a familiar hat, described by the designer as “a ruched crown showerproof tweed hat with faux-fur cuff”. I know some of you will comment about how the tan hat doesn’t match her green tweed coat and while I can’t disagree, I can’t think of a more British aristocratic country look than this. Eccentric, mismatched, and well worn  and of the highest quality and craftsmanship. I have to appreciate it for what it is.

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Designer: Lock & Co. It is the Natalia/Frost design
Previously Worn: Nov 26, 2016; March 29, 2015; February 12, 2015; November 30, 2014; March 12, 2014
Photos from Getty as indicated

Princess Laurentien Visits Japan

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Princess Laurentien wrapped up a two day visit to Japan today. Yesterday, she and Princess Kiko were in Nagasaki where they visited Hypocenter Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and remembered Dutch prisoners of WWII at Kashiwa Camp and Inaza Sosuji International Cemetery, For these events, Princess Laurentien wore a grey felt cloche with a slim charcoal hatband and feather dahlia bloom at the side. Princess Kiko repeated a navy hat with short upturned kettle brim and pleated navy hatband.

Nov 23, 2017 | Royal Hats Nov 23, 2017 | Royal Hats

Nov 23, 2017 in Fabiana Filippi | Royal Hats Nov 23, 2017 | Royal Hats

Designers: Princess Laurentien’s hat is by Fabiana Filippi Ready To Wear; Princess Kiko’s hat is unknown
Previously Worn: Princess Laurentien’s hat is new. Princess Kiko’s hat was worn January 26, 2016

Today’s, the princesses were joined by Prince Akishino for a programme that included opening a new bridge, a ceremony to celebrate the restoration of Dejima Kaimonbashi (Dejima Former Dutch Trading Post) and visits to the Ceramic Bureau and  ceramic technology center in Arita. Princess Laurentien repeated her tan straw pillbox hat with feather trim. a hat that made an unexpectedly wonderful match to her Etro embroidered coat. Princess Kiko surprised in a vibrant royal blue ensemble with hat in her signature shape- boxy, rounded crown and short, upturned kettle brim. While I’d love to see Kiko branch out and try a few different hat shapes, her venture out in saturated colour today leaves me smiling.


Nov 24, 2017 in Eudia | Royal Hats

Designer of Princess Laurentien’s hat: Eudia 
Previously Worn: September 16, 2014
Designer of Princess Kiko’s hat: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Thoughts about this quartet of hats in Japan yesterday and today?
Photos from Kyodo News via Getty; Asahi; Kyodo News and Kyodo News via Getty; Asahi; social media as indicated

Danish Queen Embarks on State Visit to Ghana

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Queen Margrethe arrived in Ghana late last night to begin a five day state visit to Ghana. For her arrival, she repeated a hat with white straw brim and navy rounded straw crown with wide navy hatband, flat navy side bow and two white feather spines. It’s an attractive, high contrast hat I’m surprised we’ve not seen Margrethe wear more often.


Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: Nov 2, 2009; likely others
For today’s official welcome to the West African nation, the Danish Queen repeated her pink straw hat with tapered crown and gently upswept brim.

It’s a simple hat made successful with the pink silk brim edge and hatband, both of which are piped in a slim stripe of white that adds a punchy touch of sharp tailoring to the design.

 Designer: likely Per Falk Hansen. White silk flowers by Danish fleuriste Effi Pingel
Previously Worn: July 15, 2017
It’s not the most memorable hat in Queen Margrethe’s closet but the scale, shape and that good bit of contrast add up to this being a fine working hat. What do you think of it on its second outing?
Photos from Sarah Christine Nørgaard viaScanpix and Christian Thompson via AP