Tributes for Prince Philip have continued pouring in this week. While not officially a tribute, Lady Pamela Hicks’ memories of the queen and late Duke of Edinburgh provide a wonderful view into their lives and is well worth a watch. And the hats- well, there are some beauties.
Images from social media as indicated
Buckingham Palace announced this morning, “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
Prince Philip was two months from his 100th birthday. There is much to be said about him but I will leave those words to the one who knew him best.
“If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction, I am for it.” The Queen’s Silver Wedding speech at the Guildhall, November 1972.
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“During these years as your Queen, the support of my family has, across the generations, been beyond measure. Prince Philip is, I believe, well-known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide.” The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee address to Parliament at Westminster Hall, March 2012.
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“All too often, I fear, Prince Philip has had to listen to me speaking. Frequently we have discussed my intended speech beforehand and, as you will imagine, his views have been expressed in a forthright manner. The Queen’s Golden Wedding Anniversary speech at Banqueting House, London, November 1997.
“I take this opportunity to mention the strength I draw from my own family. The Duke of Edinburgh has made an invaluable contribution to my life over these past fifty years, as he has to so many charities and organisations with which he has been involved.” The Queen’s Golden Jubilee speech at the Guildhall, June 2002.
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“I don’t know that anyone had invented the term platinum’ for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born. You weren’t expected to be around that long.” The Queen’s 2017 Christmas message
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“Even Prince Philip has decided it’s time to slow down a little—having, as he economically put it, “done his bit”. But I know his support and unique sense of humour will remain as strong as ever.’” The Queen’s 2017 Christmas message
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“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.” The Queen’s Golden Wedding Anniversary speech at Banqueting House, London, November 1997.
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We wish the entire British royal family our deep sympathy and join them in celebrating Prince Philip’s remarkable life.
Images from Getty as indicated: Hulton Royals Collection and Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
My thanks to reader Jimbo, for researching and organizing photos for this post.
As head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth has, since the late 1990s, attended the Commonwealth Day Service with members of her family held annually on the second Monday in March at Westminster Abbey. While the global pandemic cancelled this year’s service, let’s look back at all the hats she has worn to this event over the years:
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1972, 1976 (see colour image here), 1982, 1983 and 1985 (see colour image here)
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1989 (see colour image here), 1991, 1996 and 1997; 1998 – 2001
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2003, 2004 and 2005; 2006 through 2009
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Blue bumper cloche in 2010; Peach boucle hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan in 2011; pink hat with stitched brim in 2012
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Pink Rachel Trevor Morgan hat with rose in 2014; woven cream and gold split crown design by Angela Kelly in 2015:
Blue felt Angela Kelly design with feather flowers in 2016
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Angela Kelly designs- yellow and grey in 2017 and oxblood with cherry blossoms in 2018
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Purple felt kettle brim design with burgundy flowers by Angela Kelly in 2019; blue and grey felt sidesweep with bow and feathers by Rachel Trevor Morgan in 2020
These retrospectives always give and interesting view of a royal’s evolution of millinery style. This lineup reminds me that Her Majesty embraced the early 2000s lampshade shapes (so popular at the time) more than I remembered, and how this shape quietly transitioned to the gentler sidesweeping brims that permeate her wardrobe today.
What do you notice in this lineup of hats?
Images from Getty as indicated
Princess Beatrice narrated a new children’s book, bravely working to empower those facing challenges of dyslexia as she has.
Images from social media as indicated
