A large percentage of royal hats we see are trimmed in flowers of some type. For this week’s discussion question, dearest readers, I’m wondering: which royal hat hosts the most realistic looking flower(s)?
Image from Getty as indicated
Category Archives: All About Design
Inventory: Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie’s Yellow Hats
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie celebrates her 36th birthday today and to mark this, we’re taking a look at all of the yellow hats she has worn:
1. 
2.
Designer: both are unknown
Introduced: June 18, 2016; May 25, 2018
We don’t see a lot of yellow hats worn on royal heads and while I’m not sure it’s Stéphanie’s best colour, I applaud the courage and confidence needed to wear such a stand-out colour.
Images from Valentin Dupont; Pierre Matgé via Belga
Inventory: Princess Marie’s Light Pink Hats
On Saturday, February 6, Princess Marie of Denmark celebrated her 45th birthday. To mark this milestone, let’s take a closer look at all of the pale pink designs in her millinery closet. Here they are in order of introduction:
1.
2.
3.
Designer: all are unknown
Introduced: March 18, 2014; April 1, 2017; June 15, 2019
Princess Marie wears a hat or headpiece just a few times each year so it’s no surprise this collection is small. As far as fascinators go, the first two headpieces are good ones with lovely detail and scale; hat #3 is a charming design (adore the jaunty angle) that I look forward to seeing again.
What stands out to you about Princess Marie’s pale pink hat and headpieces?
Images from Ole Jensen / Corbis and Ole Jensen – Corbis / Corbis via Getty; and Chris Christopherson via the Danish Monarchy
Inventory: Crown Princess Mary’s Purple Hats
Join me in wishing Crown Princess Mary a happy 49th birthday today with a look at her purple hats, shown below in order of introduction:
1.
2.
Designer: Susanne Juul; Philip Treacy
Introduced: July 27, 2004; December 6, 2004
3.
4.
Designer: Susanne Juul; Jane Taylor
Introduced: June 30, 2008; October 7, 2014
I’m always fascinated when a dive into a particular royal closet turns up multiple hats of similar shape and colour- such is not the case here! These four designs are not only diverse in shape and scale, they also span the purple spectrum. For one who does not often wear hats, it’s a good mix.
What do you notice about Crown Princess Mary’s collection of purple hats?
Images from Getty as indicated; Julian Parker / UK Press via Getty; Corbis; Julian Parker / UK Press via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Corbis
More Multiples: Countess of Wessex’s Double Hump Stovepipe Cloches
When the Countess of Wessex last stepped out in a hat in mid December, it was in her burgundy felt stovepipe cloche with flying bow. The distinct points on the top of this design’s crown make it a unique shape; interestingly, Sophie has two other hats, also by Philip Treacy, with this same unmistakeable feature:
Hat #1: Mad of ecru straw, this hat first appeared at Ascot on June 19, 2001
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Hat #2: A variation in snakeskin printed straw trimmed with a spray of striped pheasant feathers on the side. First worn for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s wedding in 2005.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Hat #3: Boldest version in deep maroon felt with a flying bow. First worn to the Cheltenham Races on March 15, 2006.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
While I love to see an unusual millinery shape (they certainly keep things lively for us!), this one feels firmly rooted in the in the early 2000s when oversize hats were the rage. Compared to today’s face framing halo bandeaux and perchers, the shape feels a bit harsh.
What do you think of this Philip Treacy experimental shape? Which version of this hat do you think worked best?
Photos from Getty as indicated
