This Week’s Extras

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On Sunday and Monday, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended a memorials for the 1945 Great Tokyo Air Raid and the 8th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Princess Kiko wore two black silk hats for these events- one of her go-to bowlers and a brimmed design with domed crown.
Sweet photos of Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar in cozy hats on Tuesday for Crown Princess Victoria’s name day celebration
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Queen Margrethe trotted out her royal blue beanie hat on Wednesday to present a military award.
Interesting update on the purple hat Queen Elizabeth wore to the Commonwealth Day service– confirmation that the crown has not been altered as we thought. Jump back to the post for more details.
Lovely new salmon pink saucer for Empress Michiko yesterday at a martial arts tournament hosted by the Imperial Household Police. The silk bow is really lovely.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Turquoise felt teardrop beret with wonderful feather trim from British milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan
Wonderful shape on Irish milliner Aiofe Harrison’s black straw and crin diamond hat  
Exquisite straw tulip bandeau headpiece by British milliner Bridget Bailey
Architectural cream straw percher with multi-hued organza ruffle by York milliner Marissa Groom
Black felt formed hat with striking peacock applique trim from Moscow-based  milliner Denis Gulyaev
Ivory felt beret percher with interesting green stitching and bow by British milliner Sarah Cant
Beautifully proportioned dark blue straw boater hat from British brand Love Lupin Millinery
Show stopping pyramid hat covered in coral feathers by New York brand Suzanne Couture MillineryAnd for our dear Gents, what do you think of this navy linen cuffed cap from Lock & Co.?

Princess Charlene shared these sweet snaps taken during Prince Albert’s birthday celebrations this week. Those of you in North America might be interested in an interview with Prince Albert that will be broadcast tomorrow evening.


I’m giving the last word this week to the Countess of Wessex, who shared these words at the United Nations during The President of the General Assembly’s ‘Women in Power’ event.

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

Cheltenham Festival 2019: Day 4

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Gold Cup Day at the final day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival was a wet one today but rain (and a LOT of mud) did not seem to dampen racegoer’s spirits. The final day of the races this year saw four royal hats, all worn by members of the Phillips Family. Princess Anne repeated her turquoise felt fedora with two-toned, layered silk hatbands and side spray of feathers. It’s one of my favourite hats in her wardrobe and was a chic choice for the races, standing out against grey skies. I adore the mix of hat and coat with the grey printed scarf.

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Designer: Amy Morris-Adams
Previously Worn: Dec 25, 2018; Apr 1, 2018

Autumn Phillips wore a new hat, described by the milliner as “A rich Burgundy fur felt fedora, trimmed with two rows of navy braid. The fedora has a wide brim which gently slopes down flattering the face.”  I love a good fedora and this one is GREAT on Autumn. Peter repeated his well-worn brown fedora.

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Designer: Camilla Rose Millinery. It is the Dusk Fedora from AW 2018. Guinea London velvet coat.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Zara Tindall has had stellar looks all week but, I think, saved the sharpest for last. Topping her marvellous black and white checked coat was a black felt saucer hat trimmed with a single white quill and a folded red leather bow. The hat is a style and scale we’ve seen many times on Zara but the overall look is so beautifully styled, it looks fresh and fabulous.

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Designer: Bespoke Sally Ann Provan. Coat by Claire Mischevani.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

That wraps up this year’s Cheltenham Festival. We’ve seen 12 royal hats at the races this year- which ones have been your most favourite?

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

Cheltenham Festival 2019: Day 3

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It was another overcast day at Cheltenham Racecourse today on a day that saw just one royal hat at the races. Zara Tindall topped her dove grey tweed coat with a streamlined navy and grey design. In navy felt, the formed beret percher base is trimmed with three soaring arrow trimmed grey feathers.

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The colour contrast between the hat base and trim intensifies the impact of the feathers and gives a sharp crispness to the hat. For a moment, I wished the coat was more exciting until I noticed the collar is piped in navy (another sharp detail that sets off the ensemble but unfortunately, doesn’t show up well in many photos) but in the end, concluded the coat’s uncluttered lines work well with the hat. This is a more neutral and restrained look than we usually see on Zara but she carries it well.

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Designer: Bundle MacLaren. It’s a bespoke version of the Cordelia design. Pip Howeson Coat.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Thoughts about Zara’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Cheltenham Festival 2019: Day 2

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Ladies’ Day at Cheltenham Racecourse today saw clearer skies and another trio of royal hats. The Duchess of Cornwall joined Princess Anne and Zara Tindall at the races today, repeating her ruched tan tweed hat with faux fur brim.

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There’s not much to add about this oft-seen hat (one, I must admit, is so well suited to a winter day in the country at the races) but I do think its styling today, with Camilla’s dotted silk dress and cream textured coat, is a great look for her.

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Designer: Lock & Co
Previously Worn: Nov 23, 2018;  Mar 14, 2018;  Nov 24, 2017;  Nov 26, 2016; Mar 29, 2015; Feb 13, 2015; Dec 3, 2014; Nov 30, 2014; Mar 12, 2014

Princess Anne repeated the burgundy hat we saw her debut in January at Sandringham, giving us a closer look at its detail. Made of burgundy velvet, the hat follows the informal shape of a bucket hat with seamed crown and short brim. This version is trimmed with a double hatband piped in navy piping and burgundy and navy fabric rosettes at the side.

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The colours on the hat pair well with Anne’s coat (I never noticed the burgundy piped navy collar before) and the burgundy shade is lovely on Anne. Is it a fashion forward item? Of course not! I suppose these fabric hats serve good purpose for informal events such as these, although I can’t help wishing she’d gone for another fedora instead, a shape that looks so chic on her.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Jan 27, 2019 

Zara Tindall topped her mulberry tweed coat with a coordinating percher hat in plum felt. The waved teardrop base is trimmed with a single quill and a spray of feathers in multiple shades of purple which ties beautifully with the different shades in the woven coat. Paired with a black and mulberry printed dress (you can just see the collar peeking out), this makes a fantastic look for Zara.

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Designer: Juliette Botterill, likely from AW 2019 (not yet released). Pip Howeson coat.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

In a late addition to this post, Mike Tindall was also spotted at the races, in a very dapper tweed flat cap (and a tie matched to his wife’s ensemble!). Mike wears hats more than most other royal men (not counting uniform caps) and today is an example of how a simple hat can add polish and panache to a man’s ensemble. So handsome.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

What do you think of the hats today at the Cheltenham Races?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Cheltenham Festival 2019: Day 1

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Damp skies did not seem to dampen spirits at opening day of the Cheltenham Festival today. Princess Anne attended in her repeated brown faux fur ruched hat with rolled brim, no doubt a warm choice on a blustery, rainy day.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Mar 13, 2015, Apr 5, 2010; Sep 5, 2009; Mar 14, 2009; Feb 8, 2009; Mar 24, 2008; Feb 3, 2008;

Zara Tindall wore a yale blue felt formed teardrop percher, trimmed with a stitched bow and arrow trimmed feathers. Blue is such a fantastic colour for her and this deeper shade is no exception. I’m less keen on the pairing of this hat with Zara’s navy coat- from close view, the hat does pick up similar threads in the coat’s weave but from far away, the look is less cohesive.

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Designer: Juliette Botterill
Previously Worn:This hat is new

Mike Tindall repeated the navy coogan cap we saw him wear to this event last year. We see so few men in hats, it’s great to see one like this that not only combats dismal weather, but makes its wearer look rather dapper in the process.

Designer: Holland Cooper Baker Boy Cap
Previously Worn: Mar 16, 2018

What do you think of the hats today at the Cheltenham Races?

Photos from Getty as indicated