Remembering Zulu Queen

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Queen Mantfombi Dlamini passed away unexpectedly last Thursday.  Born a Swazi princess, the daughter of King Sobhuza II  and sister of King Mswati III, she married King Goodwill Zwelithini in 1973 and and was queen consort of the Zulu Nation from 1977 to 2021. When her husband died in March, she served as queen regnant.

We have not admired the intricately beaded headdresses worn by Zulu queens here before- they really are striking.

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Our condolences are extended to the Zulu royal family.

Special thank you to reader Jake for sharing this story.

Images from Getty and social as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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A few weeks ago I mentioned a project I was working on behind the scenes. I’m so pleased to announce today’s launch of The British Millinery Association and most honoured to be a founding Ambassador.

Don’t worry- I have no plans to give up Royal Hats and things will continue here as usual. These weekend ‘extras’ posts have made me increasingly aware of a much larger millinery industry beyond just royal hats. The British Millinery Association aims to draw this larger group into an inclusive community that regularly gathers to develop skills, share ideas, preserve millinery’s heritage and innovate for the future. While primarily geared to milliners in the UK, membership is open to anyone passionate about hats, anywhere in the world.

For more information, visit The British Millinery Association and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Now- back to the hats!

King Carl Gustav was in military uniform and cap yesterday to celebrate his 75th birthday

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A very fun view of the top of several royal hats worn ten years ago to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding. To look back at all the hats at this wedding, jump over here.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Scarlet flat beret with appliqued  black  brocade lace and tulle pompom  by Australian milliner Lisa Hughes
Such striking stitching on this tan felt art deco inspired cloche by German brand Malinè
Petite sky blue saucer with floating blossoms by London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
Magenta felt fedora with kettle brim and high contrast yellow feather by Polish milliner Marta Ruta
A feast of textures on this ecru straw and silk boater hat with feathers by British milliner Beverley Edmonson
Avocado leather beret with green and gold feather flowers by Australian brand Locopa Designs Millinery
Such creative embellishment for this textured charcoal straw pillbox by South Korean milliner Eun Young Lee

Goldenrod yellow oversize cloche trimmed in satin and tan guipure lace by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
Burnt orange floral headpiece by Australian milliner Melanie Atherinos perfectly paired with a painterly dress
The most elegant shape on this oversize black straw cloche by Russian milliner Lia Gureeva
The prettiest periwinkle straw saucer with lush silk flowers and quills by British brand SB Millinery
Stunning beaded bow on this petrol blue velvet beret percher by Russian milliner Anna Andrienko
Deep berry pink silk bow headpiece by American milliner Christine Moore
Orange felt beret with colourful ribbon pinwheels by London-based Spanish milliner Rafa Peinador
Plum straw beaded button with an ethereal pleated crin brim by British milliner Victoria Grant

Lovely video and portraits shared by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their 10th wedding anniversary.

Images from social media as indicated 

Inventory: Princess Benedikte’s Pink and Burgundy Hats

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The Danish monarchy released a lovely new portrait of Princess Benedikte yesterday to celebrate her 77th birthday.

Taking inspiration from this photo, we’re marking her birthday with a look at her pink and burgundy hats:

1. 2.  3.   
Designer: all unknown
Introduced: October 2003 or earlier; April 2, 2005 or earlier; January 21, 2006 or earlier

4.    5.
Designer: both are unknown
Introduced: 2007 or earlier (feather pouf removed for an April 2015 outing and replaced by October 2017) May 11, 2011 or earlier

6.  7.
Designer: both are unknown
Introduced:  April 24, 2013; June 10, 2014

Princess Benedikte seems to favour deeper, berry shades and my, do they suit her well. I notice a streamlined, elegant aesthetic here with a single statement trim, if there’s to be trim at all. What do you notice about her pink hats?

Images from Marijan Murat/dpa/CorbisCorbis; Chris Jackson, Ole Jensen – Corbis/Corbis, and Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; Jesper Sunesen; Lars Salomonsen; Corbis​

Plaid?

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This week’s discussion question is one recently suggested in a comment thread: which royal hats are/have tartan or plaid? I’ve started us off with a young Prince of Wales in his namesake tartan.

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Image from Getty as indicated

Koningsdag 2021

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King Willem-Alexander celebrated his 54th birthday today in Eindhoven, a southern Dutchcity that brands itself as a hub for high-tech innovation, with a largely digital version of the annual royal walkabout.  used the occasion to debut a draped toque hat in a lively green and yellow silk ikat print.

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Even with the same use of pattern on the skirt and hat (contrasting on the blouse), it’s a lot of pattern for one ensemble. I think it works better with the yellow coat, which unexpectedly quiets down the overall look. It also works better, photographically, in still, posed shots rather than in-motion (see the lovely bottom two images).

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: This hat is new

We’ve not seen Máxima in a new toque hat for a long time. What do you think of this new addition?

Images from Getty as indicated