King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima began a two-day state visit to Great Britain today with official welcomes first from the Dutch Ambassador in London, then from Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. As she usually does, Queen Máxima kicked off the state visit with a new ensemble, this one topped with a sculpted bandeau headpiece.
The headpiece is covered in the same pale pink fabric studded with fine gold sequins as the mid section of her coat- a design feature that works thanks to the coat’s contrasting finely woven tweed on the top and skirt that breaks up the overall look. I think this is the first bandeau we’ve seen on Queen Máxima and it is shown to great impact with her wonderful hairstyle and fantastic jewellery. The shape is a smart choice for this event- it’s chic, elegant and completely on-trend while the subtle colour palate keeps her from overshadowing her husband and Queen Elizabeth, the two true heads of state at this meetup. As much as I’d love to see Máxima in a more dramatic hat with this coat, this event really wasn’t the time to pull one out of the cupboard. I think this is some very well-played strategic, diplomatic dressing from Queen Máxima and her stylist.
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Designer: unconfirmed. Coat by Claes Iversen.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Queen Elizabeth repeated her royal purple felt hat with square crown, upfolded kettle brim and dark purple velvet hatband, trimmed with silk irises and velvet leaves.
The connection between hat and coat remains a very good one and I adore how the velvet trim adds a luxurious contrast of colour and texture to both pieces. A conversation here last week about the usual placement of hat trim on the right side (from our view, the left!) balancing the ever-present brooch has me wishing, again, that the flower and leaf trim on this design was placed on the side but it’s a minor quibble that doesn’t take away how lovely the Queen looks in this shade of purple and how good the overall ensemble is on her.
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Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: Mar 6, 2018; Dec 7, 2017; Nov 24, 2016
The Duchess of Cornwall surprised in a new hat- I say surprised because the shape is so familiar (she has at least three others off the same hat block) it took me a while to realize this hat is not one we’ve seen before! In navy straw, the design features a wide, sidesweeping brim and angular crown with off-center peak, and is finished with large straw twists. The colour is lovely on Camilla and, like Queen Máxima’s pale pink, slightly muted her presence in group photos. While the scale and shape of this have become very familiar, they make up her quintessential signature millinery look- a look which continues to suit her so very well.
Designer: Philip Treacy. It is OC 456 from SS 2018
Previously Worn: This hat is new
twenty-five years ago today and a pair of unusually similar hats worn by Queen Elizabeth in Cyprus. For her arrival (this was the 13th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting), she wore a vibrant pink Philip Somerville hat with upswept, side vented straw brim, crown covered in the same silk print as her dress and twee side bow.
Royal Hats 