This Week’s Extras

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On Wednesday, Princess Akiko wore an oatmeal cloche at celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the emperor’s reign in Fukuoka Prefecture
Queen Elizabeth in a smart black straw hat with pleated straw hatbands and white brim binding and bow on Thursday at the funeral of her longtime friend, Jean (Jeanie) Margaret Wallop Herbert, Countess of Carnarvon.


Today, Princess Tsuguko attended an archery competition and officially opened Yumenoshima Park Archery Field in Koto, Tokyo. She wore a mint green silk covered pillbox with charming three-dimensional vine trim trailing over the design.
Easter greetings last weekend from Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar (in a great photo taken by their um) and Prince Carl Phillip and Princess Sofia, all in cosy knit winter hats


The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Grey picture hat with exquisite hatband of flowers made from paillettes & crystals by British milliner Dillon Wallwork
Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit in a wonderful pink and purple ombre straw percher of her own design
White straw pillbox with the most exquisite gold floral trim from British milliner Sarah Cant
Silver velvet bandeau with delicate lace applique trim from Irish milliner Teresa Nugent
Pistachio green straw boater hat with layered silk hatbands from Dutch milliner Myra van de Korput
Cream straw high sidesweep with amazing gold curling quill from British milliner Rachel Black

And from Australian milliner Helen Strong, this black teardrop veiled percher with vibrant floral trim.

Lovely to see Atsuko Ikeda ( Emperor Akihito’s elder sister, the former Princess Yori) undertake an engagement at the Ikeda Zoo last Sunday.
Interesting article on Crown Prince Naruhito– who he is and how that will shape the kind of emperor he will be (Mainichi)

Photos from social media as indicated

Koningsdag 2019

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The extended Dutch royal family celebrated Koningsdag today in Amersfoort where, it appeared, a great time was enjoyed by all:

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For today’s outdoor celebrations, Queen Máxima topped oatmeal linen culottes and tunic with orange applique detail with a new hat. A slanted saucer shape, it is described by the milliner as “made of banana fibers and silk in the same colour as Her Majesty’s outfit”.

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Let’s start with the positive- the shape and scale are good and the use of an anchor piece under the brim allows the hat to be worn at a lovely angle, slightly tipped back off the face. The hat is well connected to Máxima’s outfit and pairs well with the relative informality of the culottes. I appreciate how the swath of silk abacca gives some textural dimension and smooth shine that contrasts with the other natural fibres in the ensemble and while the colour palate is rather quiet, it allows the touches of orange to shine through brilliantly.

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But…. I have questions about the level of finishing on the hat. The brim edging is noticeably uneven and unless there’s something uniquely difficult about this material (I’ll trust our experienced milliners to advise on this), this simply doesn’t appear to be the standard one would expect of a piece of couture millinery. I have great respect for the fine work that couture milliners do but I find the finish on this hat unacceptably disappointing.
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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. It is the “Mystery” design from the Couture Collection 2019
Previously Worn: This hat is new

What do you think of Queen Máxima’s new hat?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Queen Máxima’s Koningsdag Hats

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Koningsdag is a Dutch national holiday that officially celebrates the monarch’s birthday. During Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix’s reigns, the holiday was celebrated on April 30 (Juliana’s birthday and the day Beatrix’s ascended the throne) and Queen Beatrix began the tradition of moving this lighthearted, public celebration to different cities around the country each year.

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Under King Willem-Alexander’s reign, the holiday is celebrated on his actual birthday, April 27 and characterized by its vrijmarkt (free market) nation-wide garage sale where Dutch people sell used items; outdoor concerts and street parties; and the oranjegekte (orange madness) frenzy of wearing the national colour in exuberant ways!

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As the city of Amersfoort prepares to host this year’s Koningsdag festivities tomorrow, here is a look back at all the hats and headpieces Queen Máxima has worn to this event in years past:


Oatmeal straw upsweep with wide brim binding in 2002; Pink herringbone textured cloche with wide hatband and cream quills in 2003; Red fabric voluminous suede beret in 2004, all by Fabienne Delvigne

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Tan straw stovepipe with layered tan silk and pink tweed hatbands by Fabienne Delvigne in 2005;
Chocolate straw fascinator with loops and feathers by Stefanie Wesle in 2006

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Textured bright pink Fabienne Delvigne pillbox in 2008; Black feathered headpiece in 2009;
Black silk covered open-crown headpiece by Fabienne Delvigne in 2010


Smoky pink and purple silk rose hair decoration in 2011; Black bow headpiece by Fabienne Delvigne in 2012

Koningsdag Hats After Becoming Queen: 

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Ruched caramel straw ring headpiece in 2014; Bright pink straw sideswept ‘slice’ hat in 2015, both by Fabienne Delvigne


Lilac straw Fabirennne Delvigne picture hat with mushroom brim in 2016;  Navy smocked and beaded calot (likely by Jan Taminau) in 2017; A repeat of the 2002 red suede Fabienne Delvigne beret in 2018

UPDATE- Since this post was first published, Queen Máxima has worn the following hats on Koningsdag:


Two more Fabienne Delvigne designs; Oatmeal saucer in 2019 and a green and yellow silk Ikat toque in 2021

The more casual nature of this celebration brings a decidedly eclectic mix of millinery here, with a slight increase in formality since Máxima became queen. While I wasn’t keen on the mix of slouchy beret with last year’s beautiful dress, it was wonderfully unexpected to see the hat from 2002 brought back. Here’s hoping Queen Máxima has another hat surprise up her sleeve for tomorrow!

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Photos from Michel Porro, Michel Porro and Julian Parker via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Monarchy Press; Mark Renders via Getty; Patrick van Katwijk via Monarchy Press; Andreas Rentz, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk, Patrick van Katwijk and Koen Van Weel/ANP/AFP via Getty

Emperor and Empress Close Reign With Events in Tokyo

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have been busy this week, the final week before the emperor’s abdication next Tuesday, with a series of events in Tokyo. On Tuesday, two days ago, the couple visited the Mausoleum of Emperor Showa (Emperor Akihito’s late father) to report the upcoming abdication. For this rite, Empress Michiko repeated a charcoal grey disc hat with knotted bow and black dotted veil.

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I think this is new.Interestingly, she has a similar one in black that we’ve seen a few times (here and here and here) over the past two decades.
Later that same day, the emperor and empress visited Takao Mikoromo Seido, a temple for victims of work accidents. For this visit, Empress Michiko repeated her silver shantung silk rimmed saucer hat with flecked charcoal grey double bow in the same fabric as her jacket. The sheen on the base of the hat, thanks to that shantung silk, is so pretty.
Yesterday, the couple visited the Luxembourg Embassy to offer condolences on the death of Grand Duke Jean. Empress Michiko repeated a mini pillbox variation with raised height around the front, trimmed with a simple, fanning black silk and dotted net veil.

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: Jan 7, 2019; June 25, 2014; and likely others

Today, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the Midori Academic awards ceremony. For this final official engagement of the Heisei period (the emperor’s reign), the empress repeated a hat we have much admired in recent weeks. Covered in oyster silk, this saucer features an ivory crin lattice underbrim and layered bow two-toned bow, trimmed in darker grey silk piping. The detailed view of the hat, below, shows the silk covering it (and on the empress’ suit) is woven with a metallic thread woven, giving it the most beautifully gentle sparkle.

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Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: April 17, 2019; March 26, 2019

Like many of you, my awareness of the Imperial royal family has grown during the later years of the emperor’s reign and my knowledge of the Chrysanthemum throne is limited at best. I have come to know Empress Michiko through her hats and have come to appreciate them and their wearer for their quiet elegance. I’m sure you join me in wishing this couple a smooth transition into their new role and the ability to truly enjoy a restful retirement which they have earned.

Photos from Getty as indicated; Kyodo News, The Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News via Getty

British Royals Commemorate Anzac Day

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The Duchess of Cambridge, Duke of Sussex, Duke of Gloucester and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence attended the Anzac Day service at Westminister Abbey today. For this service, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a new almond shaped percher hat in the loveliest, saturated blue felt, trimmed with curled pheasant feathers.

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It’s a great design for Kate (blue is SO GOOD on her!) and paired beautifully with her streamlined coat. The hat base has a lovely shape with gentle curves and the feather trim provides a wonderful sense of movement and life to the design, elevating the hat to something memorable. I adore the styling of this ensemble with forrest green shoes and purse to draw out some of the green in those wonderfully dimensional feathers. It’s subtle but so effective.

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Designer: Rosie Olivia. It is the “Varick” design from AW 2017. Coat by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: This hat is new

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This hat brings the count of blue hats in the Duchess’ millinery closet to 16 (see them all here). I think it’s a great addition- what do you think?

Photos from Getty as indicated