Day 2 of Dutch State Visit to Germany

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima had another full day of engagements today, visiting the Reichstag, the Bundeskanzleramt and the Gropius Bau museum.

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For these events, the Dutch queen repeated her 2019 Ascot hat!

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The dusky pink straw sidesweeping saucer hat is covered in by flowers made of trimmed coque feathers in paler shades of beigey-blush pink, with pearl bead centers. The hat is completed with straw bands circling around it, under the feather flowers (perhaps a structural element?).

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It’s such a statement hat, I was a little surprised to see it in Germany today.  I shouldn’t have been, as Máxima often brings out her big gun looks for state visits. And this is spectacular! I adore how the different dyed shades of the feathers pair so well with the dress, the colours complimenting while not being one note. Yes, the design obscures her face from certain angles but it’s such a stunning design, this almost doesn’t matter.

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Designer: Berry Rutjes Jr. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: June 18, 2019

What do you think about this hat on its second outing today in Germany?

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Images from Getty as indicated  

Dutch Monarchs Kick Off German State Visit

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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima arrived in Berlin this morning, beginning a three day state visit to Germany.

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Queen Máxima wore a sleeveless dress with fabric hand painted by Argentinian artist Pablo Piatti (read this Mode Koninging Maxima post for an excellent explanation from blogger Josine Droogendijk) and a matching headpiece.

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From the front, the headpiece looks like a bandeau or calot, however, it is an open circle, tapered around the back to fit the contours of Máxima’s head. Unlike the dress, which was painted after construction to continue the pattern perfectly across seams, the headpiece is made with a base of white silk and appliqued with hand cut sections of the the painted fabric.

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It’s a great summer ensemble for the Dutch queen, the hand painted pattern giving interest and movement to the overall look. The scale of the headpiece works well with the dress, its classic lines giving a retro elegance to the ensemble even though it is a thoroughly modern shape! Would a solid colour hat have worked well? Of course, but I do admire that the unique and beautiful hand painted pattern, something we seldom see on a royal ensemble, was utilized and shown off to maximum effect.

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Designer: unknown. Dress by Natan, in collaboration with Argentinian artist Pablo Piatti 
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

What do you think of Queen Máxima’s new headpiece in Berlin today?

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This Week’s Extras

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Prince Albert, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques were all in hats to inaugurate the Port of “Cala Del Forte” in Ventimiglia on Friday
King Carl Gustaf in a natty straw fedora yesterday to open a garden exhibition at Solliden Castle.
Yesterday, the Countess of Wessex was spotted at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in a new navy felt fedora with feather trim from Hayfield England.
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Today, the Countess and Lady Louise both displayed their carriage driving skills, Sophie in a navy velvet hat with oversize crown and Louise in her olive top hat with curled brim and feather trim.

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The following new millinery designs caught my eye last week:
Spectacular feathers on this red beaded button percher inspired by volcanoes by British milliner Nora De la Quintana
Wonderful pink straw percher with ombre rings and feather starburst by Nigerian brand Coral Earth Finery
Elegant pale grey saucer with flowers and feathers by British milliner Beverley Edmondson
Whimsical rolled sinamay climbing vine headpiece by British brand Miss Ava’s Millinery
Very handsome blue graphic check newsboy cap by American brand Bailey Hats
A statement hat in natural straw with chartreuse and purple trim by New York brand Kokin

Exquisite sky blue textured saucer with crin extended brim by London-based Merve Bayindir Millinery
A charming lavender straw cloche with swirling hatband by French brand Mei Mei Chapeaux
Vibrant striped straw hat with looped bow trim by Japanese milliner Yumiko Kuroiwa
Oversized ivory straw pillbox with large black bow by Australian milliner Meghan Briton
Fantastic contrast on this blush wide brimmed hat with black velvet trim by Irish brand Millinery By Mairéad
Amazing woven hat in black cotton organdie with scarlet peek-a-boo underbrim by British milliner Dillon Wallwork
I love seeing recycled materials used creatively on hats- this percher by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit is so smart!

Lovely photos of Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess with Prince Charles yesterday at Ettelbruck Agricultural Fair

 

Ian Rank-Broadley’s statue of the late Princess of Wales was unveiled Thursday in the sunken garden at Kensington Palace.
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Queen Concludes Holyrood Week

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Queen Elizabeth wrapped up her annual week in Scotland yesterday with a visit to the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

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For this event, she wore her third new hat of the week. Another one of Angela Kelly’s teardrop shaped crown designs, this piece in deep teal has a downturned brim bound with wide binding. The hat is finished with a trio of rolled teal straw lilies studded with black and white cut feathers.

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I’m not as keen on this hat as the other new ones we’ve seen this week. The colour is lovely and the black and white feathers provide wonderful contrast (my guess is they link with this ensemble’s dress, which we didn’t get a peek of today). It’s the teardrop crown that doesn’t work for me-  while I appreciate the creativity of the shape, its lines make this one appear awkwardly wobbly.

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Designer: Angela Kelly. Made by Stella McLaren
Previously Worn: this hat is new

This concluded the Queen’s week in Scotland- she jetted home in time to make an appearance yesterday afternoon at the Royal Windsor Horse Show!

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Day 3 of Holyrood Week

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Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth had a busy day, visiting Skypark and the Children’s Wood Project in Glasgow accompanied by Princess Anne.

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For these visits, she debuted a wonderful new royal blue hat. Covered in the same fabric as her coat, the hat’s crown is slightly elevated on one side with a gently domed top, a line echoed by two folded, layered hatbands also raised on one side. The hat is trimmed with beautiful white and blue feather flowers, nestled on one side of the hat’s cartwheel brim, which is shortened around the back.

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It’s magnificent! The colour, the scale, the wider-than-usual brim (around the front and sides!), the lift provide by raising the crown slightly on one side- all these things are so very good. And the flowers. Wow! They give a painterly, beautifully contrasting element that makes the design feel very modern. I adore the different shades of blue and how, from some angles, the flowers look like butterflies!

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan. Coat and dress by Stewart Parvin
Previously Worn: This hat is new

What do you think of this new hat yesterday for the queen?

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