Top Royal Hats: November & December 2018

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Despite stiff competition (and one victory by the skin of its felt pelt), results for favourite new design and favourite repeated hat worn in November and December are in:


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Queen Máxima’s deep purple felt upsweep with side brim pleat by Fabienne Delvigne worn Nov 21


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Autumn Phillips’ emerald felt crescent-formed percher with bow by Sally Anne Provan worn Dec 25

Jump over to the poll for favourite new hat here and the repeated hat poll here to see the results in greater detail. And stay tuned tomorrow for the finale polls of 2018 to choose your top hats of the year. 
Photos from Getty as indicated

Imperial New Year’s Lectures 2019

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Members of the Imperial family attended the annual Imperial New Year’s Lectures today at the Imperial Royal Palace in Tokyo.

While the Empress did not wear a hat (as hostess of the event in her home), the Imperial princesses all followed the traditional daytime court dress code (gowns and hats) which continues to be used for this event.  
This event brings us a rainbow of Imperial royal millinery and this year was no different:
Princess Kiko: navy straight-sided pillbox she wore to this same event in 2014
Princess Mako: turquoise silk bumper/pillbox with back bow she wore for the 2018 New Year’s poetry readings
Princess Nobuko: oxblood rounded pillbox with side feather I suspect is new
Princess Akiko: pink silk calot previously worn for the 2016 poetry readings and 2015 New Year’s lectures
Princess Yoko: ice blue silk straight-sided silk pillbox she wore to this event in 2015 and in 2014 
Princess Hisako: purple velvet bumper hat with ostrich feather pompomworn for the 2013 & 2015 poetry readings
Princess Tsuguko: repeated cream or pale yellow hat with very short, kettle brim and feather trim 
It’s difficult to tell based on this view (jump back to previous wearings) but what hats stand out to you most?
Photos from social media as indicated

Inventory: Duchess of Cambridge’s Dark Pink & Burgundy Hats

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Following up yesterday’s post on the Duchess of Cambridge’s pink hats, we’re going to continue down this millinery path today with a look at her hats in darker and fuchsia burgundy shades. Here’s what a look in her millinery closet reveals:

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Designer: Jane Corbett; Philip Treacy
Introduced: December 25, 2011; October 12, 2018

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Designer: Jane Taylor
Introduced: December 25, 2018

It’s a small group (so far!) but an excellent one. Many of us continue to admire the stunning trilby (#1)from Christmas 2011 (and wish for it to make a repeat appearance) and velvet percher she wore to Princess Eugenie’s wedding this fall (#2) is a semi-finalist for Favourite New Hat of 2018. Kate wears these deeper jewel tones so well

Photos from Getty as indicated

Inventory: Duchess of Cambridge’s Pink Hats

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The Duchess of Cambridge celebrates her 37th birthday today, and in honor of this event, we’re taking a two- part look at all the pink hats in her millinery closet. First up are the lighter pink shades:

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Designer: Jane Taylor; Jane Corbett
Introduced: June 5, 2012; May 29, 2012

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Designer: Jane Taylor; Philip Treacy, 
Introduced: March 9, 2015; June 11, 2016

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Designer: both are Jane Taylor; 
Introduced: May 20, 2017;  June 17, 2017

Since this post was published, Kate has added the following light pink hats to her millinery wardrobe:

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Designer: Juliette Botterill
Introduced: May 21, 2019; 

There’s more variance of shape and complex detail on this group of hats than I thought there would be. While the first four lean to the more neutral of pink shades, bold shapes and interesting trim keep them far away from boring. Each one has something unique to admire that sets the hat apart and there’s not a single design here I’d like to see retired. We’ll have to see if the hues get brighter- something I suspect will be impacted by fashion trends and the inevitably growing scope of Kate’s royal role.

In the meantime- what are your thoughts on this group of pink hats? Stay tuned tomorrow for the darker fuchsia and burgundy designs, of which there are some beauties!

Photos from UK Press Pool and Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty; Getty as indicated

Hats From the Past

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Royal Hats to this day in 1930, 89 years ago, and the marriage of what would be the last king and queen of Italy. The wedding of Princess Marie-José of Belgium (daughter of King Albert 1) and Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, from the House of Savoy, was by all accounts, a spectacular affair with diamond-bedecked royal guests, large crowds, a memorably large bridal tiara, a separate papal blessing in the Vatican, and a gown reportedly designed the groom.

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The many events (and outfits!) of that great day included occasion for several hats that reflect the cloche and turban shaped flapper styles of the day.

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Photos from Getty as indicated