Funeral of Queen Fabiola

The Belgian Royal Family was joined by monarchs and representatives from numerous other royal houses for Queen Fabiola’s funeral today. Empress Michiko of Japan wore a petite black saucer hat that featured a flat fan bow and net tulle veil.

Empress Michiko, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Queen Margrethe of Denmark repeated her a black Karakul fur toque with feather pouf trim.

Empress Michiko and Queen Margrethe, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Margrethe, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Margrethe, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Queen Silvia of Sweden wore a black felt cloche hat with wide, folded black velvet band around the crown.

Queen Silvia, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Silvia, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Silvia, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Queen Sofia of Spain wore a black pillbox which was covered in net tulle and wrapped with a band of black velvet around the outside of the hat.

Queen Sofia and Princess Beatrix, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Sofia and Princess Beatrix, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands repeated her black fur felt hat with pointed crown and upfolded felt and straw double brim.

Princess Beatrix, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Empress Farah of Iran wore a black silk pleated turban that was interlaced with strands of metallic black straw and trimmed with a loosely woven black straw rosette.

Empress Farah, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Astrid of Norway, who accompanied King Harald, wore a black bumper hat. At first glance, I thought this hat and coat combination were made from the same Karakul fur but after a closer look, I believe they are made of textured wool.

Princess Astrid, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

And finally, the Duchess of Castro wore a black calot trimmed with a silk ruffle that spanned the side and back of the hat. Duchess of Castro, December 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

I think that includes all the royals who attended this event (please let me know if I missed anyone). The hats were all rather simple, but simple elegance is exactly what was required. Did any of these royal hats stand out to you today?

Photos from Vincent Kalut, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van KatwijkPatrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van KatwijkPatrick van KatwijkPatrick van Katwijk, Didier LebrunPatrick van Katwijk, and Albert Nieboer, all via Corbis

Danish Royal Hunt

On Thursday, members of the Danish Royal Family were on hand for the Royal Hunt at Fredensborg Castle. Prince Henrik wore a natty tweed hunting cap that I thought suited him quite well…

Prince Henrik, November 27, 2014 | Royal Hats

…until I saw the rest of his outfit.

Prince Henrik, November 27, 2014 | Royal Hats   Prince Henrik, November 27, 2014 | Royal Hats

You saw it here first, folks- the latest in Scandinavian camo chic. Here’s a glimpse of Prince Joachim in a super-pinched fedora to calm your eyes.

Prince Joachim, November 27, 2014 | Royal Hats

Outfits and snazzy socks aside, these hats are both rather dapper, aren’t they?

Photos from Nils Meilvang via BT.dk

Queen Margrethe in Egedal

Queen Margrethe visited Egedal in North Zealand yesterday, where she officially opened the new Town Hall and health centre. For this day of inaugurations, she repeated her red and tweed wool hat and matching suit. It’s a hat we’ve seen a few times on Margrethe before and there’s no doubt, red is a great colour on her. While I do see the royal appeal of matching hats and ensembles (it is very polished and queenly), I think too much matchy-matchy is a little boring. So I ask you, dear readers, what do you think of this matched hat and suit? Does it err on the side of polished or boring?

Queen Margrethe, November 18, 2014 | Royal Hats   Queen Margrethe, November 18, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 4, 2014March 13, 2013; November 14, 2013

Photos from Allan Norregaard via Sn.dk

Danish Queen Celebrates Regiment’s 400th Anniversary

Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik visited the Guard Hussars Regiment in Slagelse yesterday to mark the regiment’s 400th anniversary. For this special occasion, Queen Margrethe repeated her white felt rimmed saucer hat trimmed with a white fur knot bow. While we royal hats watchers are used to seeing hats of this shape on Empress Michiko of Japan, it is a style departure for the Danish Queen – a style departure that works! Queen Margrethe’s hairstyle is often covered by her hats, leaving the unfortunate impression that she is bald (which of course, she is not). This hat, worn at the perfect jaunty angle, works well with both her hairstyle and with the high fur collar on her coat. I think the hat is fantastic on Margrethe and tops off the perfect winter ensemble for a Scandinavian queen. What do you think of this white saucer hat?

Queen Margrethe, November 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Queen Margrethe, November 17, 2014 | Royal HatsQueen Margrethe, November 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: March 17, 2014;  April 4, 2013; February 3, 2013; January 14, 2012

Photos from Rene Lind via TV East and Niels Ahlmann Olesen via B.dk

350th Anniversary of Danish Citadel

Last Wednesday, October 28, Queen Margrethe of Denmark attended the 350th anniversary of the Citadel fortress in Copenhagen. For this event, Queen Margrethe repeated her charcoal grey trilby with modified pork pie style crown and feather pouff on the side. This hat, with its modern shape, remains one of my favourites in Margrethe’s hat closet and I thought the pop of pink in Margrethe’s blouse kept her whole ensemble away from the grey doldrums. We don’t often see queens in fedoras but I vote for a few more for Margrethe. What do you think?

Queen Margrethe, October 28, 2014 | Royal Hats Queen Margrethe, October 28, 2014 | Royal Hats

Queen Margrethe, October 28, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 15, 2014October 1, 2013; May 1, 2013;  October 7, 2008

Photos from Krestine Havemann via Billed Bladet