Category Archives: Announcements, Extras & Millinery News

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Mako and Princess Kako in cream silk covered bumper hats on Friday to worship at the Meiji Shrine for its 100th anniversary

Queen Elizabeth in a repeated black cloche with diagonal felt crown wrap, side bow and feather trim by Angela Kelly (made by Stella McLaren) at Westminster Abbey this week to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Soldier.

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The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Chocolate straw brimmed hat with amazing leather interlooped crown overlay by Dutch milliner Mirjam van der Welle

Leopard print fur felt trilby with emerald velvet hatband and side bow by Italian brand Batog Couture Millinery
Black lace applique bandeau headpiece studded with Swarovski crystals by UK brand Maria Monica
Tan straw stylised top hat with rolled brim and ringed trim by Australian milliner Liza Stedman
Teal velour felt percher with bows and pink straw flower trimmed bandeau by British milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan
Raspberry felt hat with bumper brim and interesting off-the-face twist trim by Japanese brand Maxim
Wide brimmed saucer in black & white herringbone sinamay with fantastic bubble detail by British milliner Karen Geraghty

 

Scarlet beret percher with apricot veil overlay and velvet floral spray by UK-based milliner Guilia Mio
Charming vintage-inspired denim blue straw cloche with ribbon hatband by British brand Little Sister Millinery
Cream and magenta parasisal bumper hat with veil by Australian milliner Lisa Hughes
Statement turban in orange and purple silk abaca with cascade of flowers by Australian brand With Grace Millinery
From Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit, an exquisite white fantasy with striped silk chiffon bias brim, lace applique, sculpted bow, beads, sequins and all kinds of incredible detail that took top prize at Palma Hat Week. See other entries here.

Did you see British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful speaking with the Prince of Wales about his style?!

 

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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On Wednesday, Empress Emeritus Michiko and Crown Princess Kiko, along with their husbands, visited Meiji Shrine ahead of its 100th anniversary today. The former empress wore a small cream rimmed saucer with white lattice crin underbrim and folded bow. Princess Kiko wore a white bumper hat.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Statement waved saucer percher in orchid purple and magenta by Australian milliner Felicity Northeast
Adore the butterfly trim on this tan felt trilby by British milliner Bundle MacLaren
Large black straw saucer studded with copper velvet leaves by American milliner Laura Del Villaggio
Chic marled grey felt tall brimless hat with patent leather studded bow by Irish milliner Grainne Maher
Wonderful origami ribbon embellishment on this pink halo bandeau by Australian milliner Christine Waring
Elegant navy felt boat boater with subtle bugle bead hatband by British milliner Jane Taylor

 

Black teardrop with spectacular double helix inspired spiral trim by Australian brand Ana Bella Millinery
Pink and blue plaid trilby with perfect pattern matching by British milliner Dillon Wallwork
Interesting draped crown on this wide brimmed red felt design by Russian milliner Irina Popilova
Navy satin covered trilby with angular crown by British milliner Stephen Jones
Classic ivory textured straw hat with huge Dior brim by Australian milliner Brenda Lui
Charming lilac straw cloche with hand beaded ivory straw flying bow by American milliner Tiffany Arey

 

Chic wool embellished hats in a rainbow of colours by British milliner Beverley Edmonson
Purple straw button percher with tall fan of pleated crin by British milliner Kerry Kernan
Spectacular wide brimmed hat in layered slate blue paraisal and sinamay (love the finged edge on the smaller brim!) with wired gold tiger lily flowers by Australian milliner Stephanie Spencer. See a top view here.

 

Last weekend, King Albert and Queen Paola hosted his daughter, Princess Delphine, at their home Castle Belvédère in Laeken
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The Queen’s cousin, Lady Elizabeth Shakerley (nee Anson) died this morning. She was 79.

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Lovely new photos of the Bhutan royal family released for today’s 12th anniversary of the king’s coronation

And congratulations to Prince Leka and Princess Elia of Albania who welcomed a daughter, Princess Geraldine

 

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

Guest Post: Queen Mathilde

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Longtime reader and regular commenter Jake, who lives in Washington DC and can be found on Instgram or Twitter @bestdressedmenno, entertained us last summer with a 4-part series on royal men’s hats. He has previously suggested hats from the wardrobes of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Maxima and Queen Margrethe he’d like to see repeated, a series he continues today with a Belgian twist. I’m very pleased to welcome back Jake! 

While we’re waiting for the COVID-19 crisis to pass, HatQueen graciously invited me to explore some more hats I would like to see return on royal heads. Today’s post features those of Queen Mathilde!

I will admit I’ve not paid as close attention to Mathilde’s millinery over the years as I have with other royals, nor have I always enjoyed her choices as much, but she’s definitely been pretty fearless in trying out many designs. Almost all of the hats featured here are by Fabienne Delvigne, and while I (and others) have complaints/hesitations about the quality of her work, I tried to keep criticism to a minimum, bringing it up only as necessary. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my top 10 choices of hats Mathilde should bring back.

1. A simple and sleek, yet chic, cartwheel brim hat in black velour felt worn at the funeral of Luxembourg’s Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte on 15 January 2005. It’s a shame it appears to never have been repeated (although the coat can stay in the past), and it resembles my favorite hat of her sister-in-law Astrid.

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2. Mathilde has worn many red hats over the years, but few have seemed as flattering IMO as this one from Prince Christian of Denmark’s christening on 21 January 2006. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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3. Mathilde is more likely to wear calots than cocktail hats, but I love this one on her. The color combination is quite unexpected for her (but beautiful), the placement is just right, and I (mostly) enjoy the organic feel of the design (a Delvigne hallmark). Worn on 27 September 2013. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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4. Fascinators have long divided popular opinion (I usually am a fan), but I really love how delicate and unique this one is on Mathilde. It was first worn at King Carl Gustaf’s 60th birthday celebrations on 30 April 2006. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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5. Everyone has that one hat they love and everyone else probably hates. This is one of mine! Red is a fabulous color for Mathilde, and as a sci-fi fan, the “Saturn’s rings” trim on this rounded pillbox appeals to me even more. Worn on 20 June 2006 during a Dutch state visit to Belgium (where interestingly, then-Queen Beatrix and Máxima changed hats and outfits during this particular outing while Paola and Mathilde did not). Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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6. It’s a shame Mathilde hasn’t worn more fuchsia, because I love the vibrant color of this hat on her! Granted, I’m not fully in love with the organic shape (again, a Delvigne hallmark) and the bow on the back is questionable with its quality, but with a little more refinement, this could make a great comeback. Worn during an official visit to the Netherlands on 8 November 2013. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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7. Cloches aren’t common on Mathilde, but this one is fabulous, and the color combination of greys and beiges this time is more striking than usual. I also love the jaunty angle (although when I look back at the comments on the post for this hat, I wasn’t such a fan; time has obviously won me over!). First worn 12 February 2015 at the annual memorial mass to remember deceased members of the Belgian Royal Family, it was repeated 3 years later, but deserves another outing. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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8. Mathilde often favors smaller hats (understandable for practicality’s sake), but this blush pink wide brim (made from what looks to be panama straw) worn at the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander on 30 April 2013 frames her face so well, and I love its pairing with the more saturated pink dress for a easily coordinated and chic look. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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9. Another cocktail hat that sadly has not been repeated is this green-hued bluestone one from an official visit to the Netherlands on 30 November 2016. This time Delvigne’s organic designs work well with this stylized large bow hat. The color is also beautiful on Mathilde, and pairs perfectly with this outfit; I do wonder what it would look like with her hair down and with a dress/skirt that flared out a bit. Hat by Fabienne Delvigne.

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10. Finally, the likelihood of seeing this one again is almost zero, but the teal hat worn to William & Kate’s wedding on 29 April 2011 would make a fantastic hat to repeat for the Belgian National Day celebrations. If repeated, preferably it would be paired with a less shiny outfit; something in charcoal grey to coordinate with the trim would be a nice switch, and that would let the teal of the hat show off more, along with other teal accessories, like the clutch she had at the wedding. Hat by Philip Treacy.

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Clearly, I think we don’t see enough wide brims on Mathilde! What do you think? Which hats would you like to see Mathilde bring out of her hat archives?

Thanks, Jake! You’ve included some of my favourites- the red “Saturn’s Rings” is so fun and the last hat, the teal Philip Treacy saucer, is simply spectacular. I can’t wait to hear what other hats are suggested!

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Kiko in a simple black short-brimmed hat Monday for a service at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery
King Carl Gustaf in a very smart navy felt fedora by Italian brand Borsalino today for the official opening of the Slussbron bridge, along with his eldest daughter and granddaughter
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Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in cozy hats to celebrate Princess Ingrid’s gold medal at the Norwegian junior surfing championship; Crown Princess Mary in a knit hat to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New Little Belt Bridge
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Blush straw saucer trimmed with pastel sinamay spheres by Australian milliner Enza Geddes
Supremely elegant wheat straw boater hat with black hatband by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
White bandeau with shocking barbed wire trim by American milliner Tiffany Arey
Luxe claret felt looped percher with twists and silk rose by British milliner Dillon Wallwork
Spectacular wired headpiece of pink crin and metallic ribbon by Australian milliner Rebecca Share
Vintage inspired rolled edge black felt percher with crin bows by American milliner Laura Del Villaggio
Blush and peach straw and ostrich feather bandeau headpiece by Australian milliner Reny Kestel
Whimsical loden green felt fedora with orange stitched leaves by UK milliner Siana Yewdall
Orange and pink flying crin flower headpiece by Australian milliner Wendy Sculley
Fantastic fascinator of parasisal ballet slippers with silk binding and leather soles by Australian milliner Stephanie Spencer

Bold boater hat covered with reverse navy & cream zebra prints by Australian brand Jettah & Till Design Millinery
Orange felt hat with wide cuffed brim by Tronto-based milliner Jay Cheng
Layered pink and grey sinamay oversize saucer with grey feather dahlias by UK brand Stephanie Elizabeth Millinery
Charming grey and magenta plaid button percher with felt leaves by French milliner Jeannie Clark
Blush felt extended brim fedora with the most beautiful folded ribbon hatband by Czech milliner Jolana Kotabova

Lovely photos released by the Imperial Household Agency to commemorate the Empress Emeritus’ 86th birthday and Princess Mako’s 29th.


Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Benedikte in a new brimless hat covered in feathers last Sunday at memorial service and wreath-laying in Spentrup to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Denmark’s WWII liberation
The Akishino princesses were in black hats today for the ttended the funeral of former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone


Princess Charlene shared this sweet snap of Princess Gabriella in a velvet headband with bow, in a cuddle with her brother
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Lovely lavender felt beret with feathers by London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
The most exquisite halo bandeau of ecru cut feathers, pearls and beads by Irish milliner Michelle Kearns
Sassy burgundy stylised trilby with silk binding and back bow by Czech milliner Jolana Kotabova
Pale yellow straw hat with windowpane brim and side trim by Australian milliner Catherine Kelly
Turquoise straw teardrop percher with veil and stunning feathers by Australian milliner Jill Humphries
Bright pink felt fedora with dotted hatband by France-based Spanish milliner Sylvia Martinez
Deep blue button percher with peacock and pheasant feathers by UK brand SB Millinery
Statement yellow oversize dome with fringed seams by Australian milliner Stacey Hemera Roberts
Chic leopard print felt cap with black velvet bow by UK brand Marrison Millinery
Sweeping silk pink, lilac and cream silk abacca design (see side view here) by Australian milliner Souri Sengdara

Luscious leaf green silk abacca head wrap with oversized flying bow by Australian brand Fox millinery
Charming textured natural straw percher with oversize white leather flower by Tasmanian milliner Cessiah Alice
Nude pink feather covered beret with gold quill & statement feather flowers by UK-based Stephanie Elizabeth Millinery
Bold pyramid hat design covered in red feathers by Australian milliner Cynthia Jones Bryson
Ombre dyed aqua straw boater (notice the beautifully dyed silk binding and hatband!) with feather wrap. By Australian milliner Stephanie Spencer

The Danish monarchy released four new portraits of Prince Christian to mark his 15th birthday
King Philippe welcomed his sister, Princess Delphine, for a meeting at Laeken Castle. Their joint statement not only recognizes Delphine’s title, but feels like the start of something good. Her interview on 60 Minutes Australia, taped before this meeting, is edited toward the sensational in my opinion, but still worth a watch.
Lovely to see the Spanish royal family this week at events for the Princess of Asturias awards and Spanish National Day
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Photos from social media as indicated