Category Archives: Luxembourg

Luxembourg Royal Wedding Guests, Ten Years On

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Anniversary While the wedding of Prince Louis of Luxembourg and Tessy Antony ten years ago was a small one by royal standards, it included a number of hats worn by members of the couple’s family. From our current vantage point a decade later, here is a look back at these millinery designs.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa arrived with the groom in a silver silk suit topped with a matching jewelled headpiece of overlapping silk bow loops and pale grey flying feathers.

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The headpiece makes a strong statement (nearly as loud as a statement as Maria Teresa made when she left the church cradling her grandson, firmly putting rumours of Grand Ducal disapproval of the marriage to rest) and while it’s a little haphazard, I always thought it was great fun.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne

Tessy’s mother Régine Antony wore a wide brimmed black straw hat with flat crown, raised brim and large bow at the side. Her grandmother, pictured far left in the group photo below, wore a black felt hat with wavy brim.

September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats

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Archduchess Marie Astrid wore a small hat made of widely woven natural straw with tightly upfolded cuff brim and swath of net veil. The weave of the straw lends great texture to the piece which feels a little nondescript. Her sister, Princess Margaretha of Leichtenstein, wore what appears to be a cream calot with black overlay. The overlay gives interesting dimension to the piece although I have a hard time making a connection betwen the hat and her ensemble.

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Archduchess Marie Astrid and Princess Margaretha, September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats

Finally, Princess Sibilla wore a forest green Garbo style hat with laser cut brim. The pattern cut into the brim is an eye-catching embellishment alternative to usual flowers and feathers and, I suspect, a rather fashion-forward statement ten years ago. I’m not sure the hat was showed off to best effect with Sibilla’s gray-green suit but it’s an interesting piece of millinery that stands on its own.

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The stand-out millinery designs here are the ones worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Princess Sibilla, both of which I think could easily be worn today. What do you think of the royal hats at this royal wedding, ten years on?

Photos from Getty as indicated: Alain Benainous, Alain Benainous and Alain Benainous via Getty

Luxembourg Royal Wedding, Ten Years On

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Royal Hats  Ten years ago today saw the wedding of Prince Louis of Luxembourg and Tessy Antony.

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In September, 2005, the Grand Ducal Court made the surprise announcement that Prince Louis and his girlfriend, Tessy Antony, were expecting their first child. This news was completely unexpected not only because the relationship was unknown to the press, but because the couple were so young (19 and 20). After Prince Gabriel’s arrival in March 2006, news of the couple’s engagement followed five months later. Following precedent in the Grand Ducal family, Louis renounced rights to the throne not only for himself, but for his descendants. As such, when Louis and Tessy married, she did not become a princess- this combined with an already unusual situation and set the event as a much lower key, family affair.

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After a civil ceremony held at the Grand Ducal Palace, Louis and Tessy’s religious ceremony took place on September 29, 2006 in the northern Luxembourg town of Gilsdorf’s local parish church. Like most ‘normal’ brides, Tessy chose an off-the-rack dress, the “Jazmin” design by Spanish bridal manufacturer Pronovias.

Prince Louis and Tessy Antony, September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats

pronovias-jazmin

The dress featured a strapless bodice covered in beaded cutouts of lace. Tessy arrived at the church in opera length white gloves that were removed during the ceremony.

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In the front of the dropped waist skirt, an overlay of organza gathered in folded pleats to a cluster of silk roses and trailing rosettes on Tessy’s left hip. From the back, the ballgown shaped skirt attached to the bodice in large box pleats that fell beautifully into a folded train.

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Tessy’s embroidered tulle veil was anchored with a beaded headpiece, worn on the crown of her head.
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Prince Louis and Tessy Antony, September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats   Prince Louis and Tessy Antony, September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats

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There was some grumbling in royal circles at the time about Tessy not receiving a tiara to wear for her wedding. I sincerely do not believe this was a snub- since she did not become a princess upon her marriage, a tiara was simply not in order (Tessy was granted the styling of Princess of Luxembourg in 2009).
It seems to me that the ‘not becoming a princess’ reality was a gift for Tessy who thus, was free to wear whatever she wanted on her wedding day. My esteemed blogging colleague The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor remarked about this dress, ” while I can’t say I’d give it a second glance on the rack myself, I’ve always liked it for one main reason: it seems like what she would have worn whether or not the man waiting at the end of the aisle was a prince.” I think that sums it up very well.
 Prince Louis and Tessy Antony, September 29, 2006 | Royal Hats
Jump over to this post to see the hats and headpieces worn by the Grand Ducal family to this event. What do you think of this non royal headpiece for this non royal bride?
Photos from Getty as indicated; EPA; EPA; Alain Benaious via Getty; EPA

Luxembourg National Day Part 2

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The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg celebrated their country’s National Day yesterday at an annual Te Deum service that saw a wonderful parade of hats. After looking at the designs worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Princess Stèphanie, we now turn our focus to the remaining Luxembourgish princesses.

Princess Claire topped her pastel eyelet lace dress (ironically, the same one Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore in Norway yesterday) with a large floral headpiece in palest pink silk. As far as headpieces go, this one is fine enough but it’s pairing with this prairie dress feels juvenile and twee. Call me crazy but I think I prefer the dress with Mette-Marit’s floral wreath.

Princess Claire, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Claire, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Claire, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Claire, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: this hat is new

The statement hat of the day was again worn by Princess Tessy, who topped a fabulous lace dress in a pale green avant garde hat. Consisting of a large circle of folded straw, the hat is trimmed with a mass of pink and burgundy flowers and feathers on the very top. I imagine the scattered petals placed within the hat’s fold are meant to tie in with the top trim but instead, I’m afraid they end up looking random bits escaping a giant straw taco.

Princess Tessy, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Tessy, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Tessy, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Tessy, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Princess Alexandra topped her eyelet lace dress with a rose-beige straw hat. The design features a Pork Pie shaped crown, floppy brim and grosgrain ribbon hat band finished at the side with a flat bow. There are some issues with this piece- the colour is blandly nondescript, the brim is too floppy, the striped straw is not refined- but somehow, I’m left liking how it works on Alexandra. In the end, it’s an interesting millinery idea that falls short a little in execution.
Princess Alexandra, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Alexandra, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats
Princess Alexandra, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats    Princess Alexandra, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: this hat is new
That wraps up all of the royal hats we saw at this event! There were very mixed opinions for those worn by the Grand Duchess and the Hereditary Grand Duchess- what is your take on the tree above worn by these Luxembourgish princesses? What hat stood out to you most of all the ones we saw for National day yesterday?
Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats
Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Luxembourg Royals Celebrate National Day

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The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg celebrated their country’s national day today with a number of events begining wit an official ceremony and a military parade. The third event of the day, an annual interreligious Te Deum service at the Luxembourg Cathedral, saw the women of the family all wear new hats.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa led her family in a grey straw design with ‘slice’ raised brim. The underside of the raised brim is moulded in a gentle stepped shape, the only embellishment on this very sleek design. With Maria Teresa’s streamlined dress and coat, the hat topped an elegantly restrained ensemble. I very much like the shape of this hat on Maria Teresa as it gives her some height, but I would have liked to see a pop of colour somewhere. Anywhere.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats   Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats   Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats   Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: looks like Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: this hat is new

The Hereditary Grand Duchess followed her mother-in-law’s monochromatic lead in a pale blue lace dress and straw headpiece. The headpiece looks to be made of a similar blended abaca and silk fibre as the famous hat worn by Queen Mathilde at her inauguration as does the shape, with a ruched circlet around the head and pleated fan at the side. The big change here is the use of silver studs which I’m not sure were necessary.

 Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats   Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats   Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

While familiar, this design stands on its own as a beautiful piece that Princess Stèphanie wears well. I particularly like the textural contrast between the striped straw headpiece and the lace of Stèphanie’s Valentino dress. Here is an instance where monochrome pieces work perfectly together.

  Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats  Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

         Hereditary Grand Duchess Stèphanie, June 23, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. It is not a Fabienne Delvigne design
Previously Worn: this hat is new

We don’t often see the Grand Duchess or Hereditary Grand Duchess wear hats and I think these two hats are among their best. I turn it over to you, dear readers- what do you think of these two new designs?

Jump over to this post to see the remaining hats worn by the Grand Ducal ladies.

Photos from The Catholic Church of Luxembourg

Belgian Noble Wedding: Royal Guests Part 2

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Royal Hats After looking at the bridal couple and their mothers and the Grand Ducal family, we’re going to wrap up our look at last weekend’s wedding of Princess Alix de Ligne and Count Guillaume de Dampierre with a review of the hats worn by some of the remaining royal guests. My sincere thanks to Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog, for generously sharing his photos of the event.

Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria wore a small green cocktail hat trimmed with natural straw twists, beige feathers and a net tulle veil. I’m all for royal women trying new millinery shapes but the base of this one is much too small for Marie-Astrid and the placement of it’s embellishment leaves the piece looking like a toy helicopter hovering over her head.

Archduchess Marie Astrid , June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Marie Astrid’s eldest daughter, Countess Marie-Christine of Limburg-Stirum, wore a gold headband while her youngest daughter, Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, wore a navy straw hat with ruched silk trim. The navy hat is fine but the gold headband? I’m perplexed.

Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum, Archduchess Gabriella and Archduchess Marie Astrid, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Countess Diane of Nassau (wife of Prince Jean of Luxembourg) wore an interesting blue straw hat with upturned brim cut in a unique chevron shape. This unusual brim shape is emphasized by several rows of cream stitching that contrasts nicely with the denim blue hat. While I was originally intrigued by this hat, seeing it on this video shows an entirely different picture- one of a floppy denim hat that looks far more suited for a day in the garden than a wedding. Countess Diane and Prince Jean are photographed below with their friend, Count Jehan de Lannoy (elder brother of Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie. It’s a small world, this world of western European nobility).

Countess Diane of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Prince Jean’s daughter, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau, looked to be wearing a chocolate Garbo style hat with floppy brim that coordinated with the piping on her pink and yellow dress. She was photographed with her cousin, Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein (daughter of Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein) who wore a natural straw cloche hat with an embellished hat band.

Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau and Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein topped her blue and white ensemble with a navy straw headpiece. While these photographs don’t tell for certain, I suspect this headpiece is an open circlet. Her daughter, Princess Anunciata, wore a cream Garbo style hat with floppy brim that looked effortlessly chic with her fuchsia top and trousers. Between the two fuchsia pant suits we saw at these nuptials, this one was by far my favourite!

Princess Margaretha and Princess Anunciata of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats   Princess Margaretha and Princess Anunciata of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, wife of Prince Guillaume (Grand Duke Henri’s youngest brother) wore a lime straw hat with raised brim at the back, embellished by straw curls and what looks like pleated hat bands in the same straw. While the style of the hat is intriguing, I’m far less convinced about the colour, both with Princess Sibilla’s colouring but especially, paired with her yellow lace dress. This ensemble begs the question- how much citrus can a royal outfit handle before it turns sour?

Princess Sibilla, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Prince Robert of Nassau (cousin of Grand Duke Henri) was also in attendance with his American born wife, Princess Julie, who wore a melon orange straw hat with sharply raised ‘slice brim’, trimmed with a large straw swirled rose. Their daughter, Princess Charlotte of Nassau, wore a dramatic white percher saucer hat lavishly trimmed in white silk roses.

Princess Julie of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Charlotte and Princess Julie of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

The Duchess of Bragança, who attended with her husband and two of her children, wore a natural straw hat with square crown and flat, upfolded brim trimmed with a hat band sash in the same pale green silk as her coat.

Duchess of Bragança, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats   Duchess of Bragança, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

With 900 people in attendance there were numerous other royals and nobles in attendance. Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog, has posted a gallery with 81 pictures of royal and noble guests (with identification!). It’s certainly worth a peek.

That brings our look at this Belgian royal wedding to a close. What hats stood out to you most at this event? Stay tuned this Friday when we see the Grand Ducal family out again (and in hats!) for their country’s National Day.

Photos from Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog and Rex/Shutterstock