Well known British company Lock and Co. Hatters recently shared this wonderful photo of a groom arriving at his wedding in 1908, 1111 years ago, wearing a one of their gleaming silk top hats. While he’s not ‘officially’ royal, I think his pedigree (grandson of a duke, son of a lord) and status is close enough to warrant featuring here.
Photo from social media as indicated
Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall officially welcomed the American president and first lady to the UK this morning with events at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
For the Buckingham Palace welcome, Queen Elizabeth repeated a hat in the prettiest muted jade straw. With with straight-sided, domed top crown and short cartwheel brim, the design is finished with silk flowers and a multi-looped straw bow.
The last time the Trumps paid a visit, the Queen’s hat made headlines and I can only imagine there were efforts behind the scenes to prevent this happening a second time. The best way to do this? Repeat a hat we saw Her Majesty wear less than two weeks ago, in a completely neutral (not red, white or blue) colour. So no hat story here! It’s another brilliant stroke of diplomatic dressing on her part.
Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: May 22, 2019; May 15, 2018; June 23, 2017
The Duchess of Cornwall used this occasion to debut a new hat in ivory straw. The crown has a unique pinch pleat that swirls across the front of the crown to form a short peak on the top (see it on a similar design from the Spring Summer 2019 Philip Treacy collection here).
The inherent informality of this interesting crown shape is balanced by the hat’s crin trim. A four-layer fanning hatband in windowpane lattice printed crin follows the crown swirl and folds into a large, quadruple looped bow on the side. Camilla loves a cream straw hat (she’s got 28 others!) and while I would love to see additions to her millinery wardrobe in other colours, the details and shape on this hat are certainly interesting and allow it to confidently stand on its own.
Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: This hat is new
American First Lady Melania Trump wore a streamlined and very crisp navy and white ensemble topped with a jaunty hat. With a flat crown and cartwheel brim in what looks to be fabric covered straw, the hat is simply trimmed in a wide navy hatband. It’s a fantastically chic look on Mrs. Trump, particularly placed on an angle and with her hair styled in a sweep across her forehead.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Hervé Pierre (American designer, fashion consultant and Mrs. Trump’s stylist). Dress by Dolce and Gabbana.
Joining the American entourage was the president’s daughter, Ivanka Kushner, who wore a formed ivory felt percher trimmed with a knotted bow. While I’m reticent to critique a non-royal hat wearer who doesn’t wear hats often, the position of this one seems odd to me (more of a superhero mask than a percher hat) as does the material, which just feels out of season.
Designer: Philip Treacy. Alessandra Rich jacket and skirt.
There are some good hats here- which ones stand out most to you?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Photos from social media as indicated
The Colonel’s Review (the second rehearsal for Trooping the Colour) took place yesterday with the Duke of York as the Inspecting Officer in his role as Colonel Grenadier Guards. His regiment is marked by the white plume in his bearskin hat.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
The Duke’s family was there to cheer him on. Princess Beatrice wore a black button percher hat trimmed with a contoured straw brim, topped with silk lining, that wraps around the hat in a double crescent with one point curling around the back. It’s a modern, dynamic piece that’s unlike anything we’ve seen Beatrice wear and I’m definitely a fan.
Designer: Annabel Allen Millinery. It is the “Eve” design.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Princess Eugenie topped her yellow lace dress with a pink knotted bandeau headpiece described by the designer as “made in a lovely pink tweed from Liton Tweeds, with a pink spot veiling.” As far as bandeaux go, this one is good- the knot gives it some height and the mix of tweed and dotted veil gives great texture. I’m just not keen on the pairing of pink tweed headpiece and yellow lace dress.
Designer: Fernanda Lewis. It is the “Veiled Knot in Pink Tweed”
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Sarah, Duchess of York, repeated black felt calot trimmed with a rolld bow and open-weave veil.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: July 29, 2017; June 7, 2017; July 23, 2016; January 9, 2007; and this undated occasion
We don’t often see the entire York family attend an event and with the four of them in hats, well, that’s even more rare. The standout hat for me here is the one worn by Princess Beatrice- what do you think?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Queen Elizabeth attended the second day of the Epsom Derby Festival in Surrey today, as is her tradition the first weekend in June each year. For this day at the races, the Queen repeated a very familiar hat covered in the same paisley silk/wool cloqué fabric as on this outfit’s matching coat. The design features a straight-sided, flat crown and upturned kettle brim and is simply trimmed with a double bow on the side.
On the eve of the US state visit, it’s an interesting choice of hat to wear today, with it’s close association to the President’s last visit and the famous first wearing to Open Parliament- both political events. Perhaps that’s why today’s repeat happened, the choice of a leisure event being as far from politics as they come. I still find this hat to be a bit heavy (oh, how I wish it had a straw brim to lighten it up) but the colour is lovely and it was great to see it with the coat removed today. This hat has taken a more interesting path than most and I’m curious to see where it appears next!
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Angela Kelly. Made by Stella McLaren.
Previously Worn: July 13, 2018; June 21, 2017
The queen was joined by her cousin, Princess Alexandra, who repeated her dove grey straw hat with tall, flat crown and cartwheel brim. The hat is trimmed with large straw flower and knotted, multi-looped bow which are studded with slim grey feathers.
On its own, the hat is a fairly simple one and the colour doesn’t stand out. However, the pairing of hat with Alexandra’s impeccably tailored mint jacket and printed silk dress is a beautiful one that comes together as an exceptionally elegant summer look. Not all hats need to make a focal statement and this one is perfect for this ensemble.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: November 1, 2017; July 2, 2003; and others
Judging by the Queen’s animated expressions, an enjoyable day was had. What do you think of these two hats? Were there other hats at the Epsom Derby today that jumped out to you?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
