Category Archives: Announcements, Extras & Millinery News

This Week’s Extras

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On Tuesday, Princess Sofia paired a red silk rose bandeau from Eivy Flodin with a floral printed gown for the Polar Music Prize. With her gold chandelier earrings, it’s a lot but still a great look for her.
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Also on Tuesday, the former emperor and empress of Japan were spotted en route to Kyoto to complete the last of the abdication rituals. Empress Emerita Michiko repeated a slate grey-blue rimmed saucer with stylised bow. On Wednesday’s visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Meiji, she repeated  a grey disc with black dotted veil and on Thursday to return to Tokyo, she repeated a denim blue disc with gold backed, folded bow.
Smart hat on Princess Astrid for the arrival of the South Korean state visit on Wednesday. The jaunty upturned brim (a brim with polka dots!) suits her well
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On Wednesday, Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko opened a renovated hotel (the same one that housed Emperor Emeritus Akihito for a time during WWII) in Mashiko. Princess Hisako’s acid green hat has an uniquely striped crown while Princess Tsuguko’s black straw sidesweep is trimmed with a white silk flower. See more photos here and here.

Queen Silvia, who repeated a pistacchio green open-crowned pillbox trimmed with ruffled flowers on the side. Crown Princess Victoria repeated a headpiece of pale blue silk flowers and blue straw twists (trimming that I suspect originally appeared on this Philip Treacy cocktail hat). Watch a great video summary of the event here.

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Princess Beatrix in a black straw bumper hat today to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Society of Sciences in Zeeland
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Natural straw glorious wide brimmed hat with silver crown, brim binding and stitching by British milliner Sarah Cant
Magenta sidesweeping saucer in banana fibre with feathers by Dutch milliner Amélie D’Hooghvorst
Baby blue straw teardrop beret with leather flowers and feathers by British milliner Justine Bradley-Hill
Incredible white straw pyramid cnydaria sea creature with crin tentacles by Spanish-born milliner Rafa
Cheeky raspberry pink brimmed cap with bow by British brand Mind Your Bonce
Black leather hat blocked on a vintage 1950s block with beaded fringe by Australian milliner Rachel Henry
Pale pink percher with lavish cascade of silk flowers and orbiting rings by Irish milliner Carol Kennelly
Green feather bandeau with maribou poufs by British milliner Dorothy Morant
Impeccable black straw boater hat with wide monochrome stripe hatband by Dutch milliner Myra van de Korput
Raspberry pink straw percher with orchids and green burnt feathers by Irish brand Hat Couture
And for our gentlemen, this dapper black beauty from iconic British brand Lock and Co.

On Thursday, the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception for the Elephant Family )an NGO protecting Asian elephants from extinction started by the Duchess’ late brother Mark) masquerade Animal Ball. Aren’t their beaded wild cat masks fantastic?!
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Beautiful photo of Prince Nicolas of Sweden, shared by his mum on the occasion of his 4th birthday today.

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Queen Silvia celebrated Swedish National Day, along with the king, in Ludvika last Thursday in a repeated ivory felt calot hat with silk flower and brown feather trim. Festivities later in the day saw the Queen and adult princesses in folk costume with traditional white cotton folded hats.

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Also on Thursday, Prince Harry was in uniform to preside over the annual Founder’s Day Parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (a retirement and nursing home for former members of the British Army). Royal Hospital residents, known as Chelsea Pensioners, wore their distinctive tri-corn hats.
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On Thursday, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko conducted rites related to the abdication at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Tokyo. The empress emerita repeated a slate grey veiled saucer with knotted bow.
On Saturday, members of the Imperial royal family attended the 5th anniversary memorial ceremony for Prince Katsura. The Imperial royal women, who included the Empress, the late Prince’s mother, Princess Yoriko and sister,  Yasuko Konoe (formerly Princess Yasuko of Mikasa) all wore black hats.


Infanta Elena and her father, King Juan Carlos, attended the men’s singles final match yesterday at the French Open Tennis tournament in Paris in summery straw fedora hats
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The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Wonderful dusky pink embellished bandeau (see the detail!) by Scottish label Angels and Insects Edinburgh
Exquisite veil on this black button percher with white silk flowers from British brand Lock & Co.
Elegant coral sinamay teardrop with crin layered bow by Irish milliner Edel Black
Fantastic pink straw boater with animated bow & hand-dyed pheasant feathers from British milliner Ian Bennett
Adore the shape and movement on this royal blue straw veiled headpiece by Irish brand Marc Millinery
Wonderful black percher with white oversize pinwheel flower by London-based Spanish milliner Rafa Peinador
Prettiest textured straw button percher with ombre straw ruffle by British milliner Ellie Vallerini
Trios of lovely lilac and pale grey designs by Italian milliner Guiliana Mio
Love the unique swirling curves this denim blue straw design from British label John Boyd
Cream straw button percher with amazing ombre fuchsia & aubergine crin trim by British milliner Tracy Miller
White and yellow marabou feather fluff hat by London-based milliner Awon Golding

Great family photo released by the Danish court on the occasion of Prince Joachim’s 50th birthday

The Duke of Edinburgh celebrates an incredible 98th birthday today and I’m sure you join me in wishing him the happiest of birthdays.
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Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Queen Elizabeth in an oft worn royal blue hat with feather trim for Sunday service at Balmoral last weekend
Queen Margrethe attended the 100th Anniversary of the first Danish church abroad in Herning yesterday, repeating the vibrant blue brimless hat with twisted bow we saw her debut last fall to open parliament


The new Imperial emperor and empress undertook their first events outside Tokyo today, attending the National Tree Planting Festival in Owariasahi. For this event, Empress Masako wore a pistachio green suit and streamlined white hat with curved brim and a a layered green hatband. It’s a good look on her, isn’t it?


The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Stunning fuchsia & orange teardrop percher with feathers & abaca bows from British milliner Georgina Blyth
Sumptuous draped leather bandeau in beautiful shades of blue by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
Natural straw floating disc with black lace and net trim from London-based Turkish milliner Merve Bayindir
Lilac, blue & ivory straw boater with soaring ombre crin twists & feathers by Aussie brand Millinery by Mel
Black buntal straw saucer with vibrant silk abaca trim from British milliner Julian Garner
Pink teardrop beret with exquisitely beautiful layered silk abaca bows from Liverpool-based TMD Millinery
ADORE this teal felt veiled hugger with knot, feather and quill trim from Australian milliner Meg Rafter
Aptly named “Whirlpool” black and white wire trimmed button percher by British milliner Rachel Black
Sleek, minimalist cream straw saucer with soaring pheasant feathers by Canadian milliner Karyn Ruiz
Such fun! Taupe straw bandeau trimmed with hovering yellow & green butterflies from British milliner Katie Vale
Black textured button percher with amazing folded organdie trim from British milliner Olivia Johnson Hilton
Brilliant Harry Potter inspired headpiece for a young client by Marrison Millinery in Wiltshire
And from Jill Humphries, creator of Australian label Jill and Jack Millinery, a navy straw button percher with ecru curled quills and an exquisite blue scrollwork 3D printed horse (with feather tail!). As captivating as it is creative.

Very sweet photo of Prince Jigme Namgyel of Bhutan, who now is 3 years old, shared by his father

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Infanta Elena in a floppy hat last weekend at the Longines Global Champions Tour Equestrian and in a natural straw fedora at the San Isidro Fair, both in Madrid
Princess Michael of Kent last Monday at the Chelsea Flower show in a tan duckbill brimmed cap
On Wednesday, the Earl of Wessex donned his dapper natural straw panama hat to present the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards in the garden of Buckingham Palace. The Duke of Kent also donned a panama hat in Greece, where he traveled to celebrate the 200th anniversary of The Order of St Michael and George
Also on Wednesday, Queen Sonja of Norway opened the Bergen Festival in a cream straw cloche hat
The Thai monarchy released official photos of Queen Suthida- there are lots of military hats and soft focus filters


Princess Hisako attended the ‘Now Africa’ festival today in Yokohama in a great black and white wide-brimmed hat.

Two events with fantastic floral headpieces, both in honour of the Chelsey Flower show. The first is a display in Covent Garden, photographed below by Princess Miriam of Bulgaria. The second is the 4th annual “Flower Walk” outdoor fashion show in Chelsea created by the Catherine Walker brand with astounding floral headpieces topping their dresses.



Here’s what other new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
From Rachel Trevor Morgan, four stunning hats with handmade flowers in red, pink, purple and blush
Romantic mint straw button with lattice brim,  bow and flowers from London-based brand Bea and Evie
Curving pink straw headpiece with handmade peony by Spanish milliner Eugenia Jiménez
Winter white felt raised beret percher with pearl-trimmed bow from Australian brand Hats By Zarbella
Pink lattice-brimmed picture hat with wonderful lace trim from London-based milliner Vivien Sheriff
Trio of stunning black perchers: straw with leather flowers & soaring twists from British milliner Justine Bradley-Hill; sequins with veil & bow from Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit; leather with flowers & leaves from Aussie brand Crazy Teapot
Wide brimmed cream straw hat covered in lemon silk orchids by Scottish milliner William Chambers
Simple but SO pretty! Sky blue straw saucer with cream rose trim from British brand Atelier Millinery
Fantastic digital knitwear design (with British Museum ceiling-like brim) from Dutch milliner Eugenie van Oirschot
Magenta straw statement hat with sharp lines and oversize hydrangea trim by British milliner Amanda Denton
Sleek silver grey brimmed hat with ethereal, smoky flower from British brand Layla Leigh Millinery
The prettiest watermelon pink straw stacked bandeau with floating vine from Scottish milliner Sally-Ann Provan
Cream straw teardrop percher with twists and wonderful lime and cream flowers from Irish-born milliner Philip Treacy (flowers made by Russian artisan Anfisa Korelova)

And from Australian brand Murley and Co., designed by milliner Carla Murley, this spectacular garden of floral trimmed percher hats.

Prince Albert was joined by Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella and their cousin Kaia Wittstock today at qualifying rounds of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco
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Prince Dushan of Serbia was married to Valerie De Muzio in Topola, Serbia today. Prince Dushan is the son of the late Prince Alexander and his second wife, Princess Barbara of Liechtenstein. Princess Barbara wore a wide brimmed, natural straw hat for the wedding.
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And…. it’s three weeks until Royal Ascot…

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Just fitting in this post while I step away for a day- I’ll be back to finish coverage of Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding tomorrow!

Back on May 4, Prince Mihailo and Princess Ljubica of Serbia christened their daughter Natalija in the church of St. George at Oplenac. Princess Ljubica wore a cream straw disc base percher hat with straw loops and ostrich feathers.
Last Sunday, the Prince of Wales took part in the Cavalry Sunday parade, an annual march and commemorative service held the second Sunday of May by the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association in Hyde Park. He sported the traditional black felt bowler hat worn by retired regimental members to this event.
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On Monday, the Earl of Wessex donned a dapper cream straw fedora for The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards Presentations in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Also on Monday, Princess Hisako wore a cream silk covered bowler trimmed with a modern floral motif and a very interesting, octagon shaped upturned kettle brim for her departure en route to Sweden. I’m not sure I like the brim shape but it’s undisputably unique.
Princess Beatrix celebrated the bicentenary of the Hermien Mill in Harreveld on Friday, repeating her navy straw hat with domed crown wrapped in layers of wide straw ribbon.
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Yesterday, Crown Princess Kiko attended the 30th National Greenery Conservation ceremony in Tottori in a cream hat trimmed with a pale green hatband (not a coincidence, I’m sure!)
The Duke of York was photographed yesterday in more rehearsals for upcoming Trooping the Colour. The Duke was appointed Colonel of Grenadier Guards in 2017 (taking over from the role his father had held since 1975) an will review the troops in this regiment on June 1 to make sure they are in tip top shape for the Queen’s birthday parade on June  15
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Today, Princess Yoko donned a tall, flared pink cloche hat for youth tennis championships in Kashiwa.

This week, I updated the post on all of Queen Máxima’s signature upswept brim ‘slice’ picture hats and was gobsmacked to realize she has 25 (and counting) of this style! Jump to the updated post for a peek.
The following new millinery designs jumped out at me:
Brilliantly practical straw percher with interchangeable trim from British milliner Fernanda Lewis
Two great picture hats (one with lovely ombre ruffle & one with pink perspex bow) by British milliner Ellie Vallerini
Exquisite movement on this crin trimmed black straw beret percher by Scottish milliner Maggie Mowbray
Pale grey saucer with iridescent pinwheel of layered crescent petals from London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
Red button percher with swirling scarlet cherry blossoms by Irish milliner Suzanne Ryan
Bandeau headpieces with colourful, statement-making trims from British milliner Jess Collett
Striking black and white design, amazingly made without a hat block by Australian milliner Louis Macdonald
Lovely colour story on this lilac and peach floral trimmed boater from Irish milliner Carol Kennelly
Stunning midnight blue beaded pillbox percher with flying bow by New Zealand milliner Anel Heyman
Adore the ribbon pinwheel trim on this cream straw trilby from period-inspired British brand Bea & Evie
Fantastic statement star magnolias on this magenta hugger percher by Australian brand Murley and Co.
Pattern! Vibrant floral printed black straw boater with feather trim by Canadian-based brand Jaycow Millinery

 

Princess Märtha Louise was in a lot of headlines this week after announcing a new relationship. Here’s the interview she and her new partner Shaman Derek Verrett conducted to address some of the controversy:
Princess Benedikte’s daughter, Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, was married to Count Michael Ahlefeld-Laurvig-Bill’s wedding yesterday. Interestingly, she wore a floral tiara from her new husband’s family. Princess Märtha Louise (and Shaman Derek Verrett) were among a handful of family and royal guests.
Wonderful footage of the entire Cambridge family exploring the “Back to Nature” garden the Duchess was part of creating at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.


And, we wrap up this weekend with a start to the Royal Ascot countdown… it’s just 4 weeks away!

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