During last summer’s lull of royal hats, we explored some of the extremes of Queen Elizabeth’s hat closet (biggest bows, tallest crowns, widest brims). We’re going to continue with similar weekly questions this summer, beginning again in Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe but don’t worry- after this, we’ll dive into all other contemporary hat closets as well.
We kick things off today with a garden theme: Which one of Queen Elizabeth’s hats hosts the largest flower?
The second day of engagements in Germany saw the Belgian king and queen visit Lutherstadt town hall, castle church in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, master houses of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropiusm, and a Belgian chemical company.
For these events, Queen Mathilde repeated pale pink calot trimmed with a multi-looped bow on the side. I believe the calot base is covered in fabric, with an overlay of textured, widely woven sinamay-like material.
The rustic woven overlay on the hat gives it a less formal, almost bohemian feel that pairs so well with this floral dress. The hat isn’t perfect (I’m not sure the bow looks great from all angles) but the overall look here is a lovely one on Queen Mathilde.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Giambattista Valli
Previously Worn: May 19, 2016
What do you think of this hat today on its second outing?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Despite stiff competition, you had some clear ideas about your favourite royal hats at Royal Ascot this year, dearest readers. Here are the results for favourite repeated hat and favourite new designs worn at the races this year:
Princess Alexandra’s pink straw picture hat with bow and feathers by Rachel Trevor Morgan worn on Day 1
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Autumn Phillips’ lattice straw saucer trimmed with flowers and feathers by Sally Ann Provan worn on Day 5
Queen Máxima’s tawny pink straw saucer covered in feather flowers by Berry Rutjes worn on Day 1
Queen Elizabeth was in Cambridgeshire today to visit Queens’ College Cambridge, open Royal Papworth Hospital’s new facility and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). Like her grandparents on their first visit to the charity in 1921, she celebrated by planting a tree.
For this day of engagements, she repeated a coat and hat in bright pink textured silk wool cloque fabric. The hat features a tall, slightly forward sloping crown and a modestly sized upturned brim (straw on top, fabric covering the underside) that raises on one side in a gentle sidesweep. It is trimmed on the brim’s lower side with pink and purple silk snakeshead fritillaria flowers and green feather leaves. A slim fabric covered hatband completes the design.
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The Queen is a master dresser and chose well today- the colour stands out beautifully against the plants and grasses at NIAB and makes me like it more than I did at its first outing! The floral trim is wonderful as is the colour, and I really like the way the coat’s double collar frames the face and balances the width of the upturned brim. If I were to change one thing it would be the crown shape, which is a bit awkward, but it’s a minor issue.
There was recently a discussion in the comments here about how few hats we see with a full view of the dress they were designed to pair with- here’s a rare treat! Of course, this ends up being the one dress that I don’t think is a great pairing with the hat and I much prefer the hat with the coat!
Designer: Angela Kelly made by Stella McLaren
Previously Worn: June 22, 2017
The Queen was joined for part of the day’s engagements today by the Duchess of Gloucester, who repeated her taupe straw formed beret hat with stem.
Designer: unknown. My guess is still Lock and Co.
Previously Worn: July 11, 2018; March 9, 2017; June 18, 2015; June 15, 2015; November 6, 2013; June 19, 2013; June 5, 2012
It’s been two years since we first saw Queen Elizabeth’s pink hat- what do you think of it today on it’s second outing?
Photos from Getty as indicated
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde touched down in Erfurt, Germany this morning to start a two-day visit to the regions of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.
Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: April 28, 2016; June 24, 2015; February 19, 2014
What do you think of this hat on this, it’s fourth outing?
Photos from Getty as indicated
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