70 years ago today on February 1, 1953, South Holland, Zeeland and North Brabant were hit by devastating floods that caused 1836 deaths. Princess Beatrix attended commemoration of this event today in the village of Oude-Tonge. For this , she repeated a warm brown sinamay bumper hat with domed crown trimmed with curving leaves on the back.
Designer: Likely Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: Oct 14, 2017
Images from Getty as indicated
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima embarked on a Caribbean visit over the weekend, accompanied for the first time by Princess Amalia. For the first stop of the tour in Bonaire on Saturday, Queen Máxima epeated her circular open-crowned headpiece in draped caramel brown abaca.
I’ve come around to these open-crowned designs, particularly as a great less formal events held on tour in a tropical climate. This particular design pairs well with the dress, adding a neutral grounding that slightly softens the impact of the coral print.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Zimmerman.
Previously Worn: May 10, 2022; Mar 12, 2020; July 7, 2015; April 26, 2014
Yesterday in Aruba was a double hat day for Queen Máxima! The first was her fuchsia straw picture hat with sharply sidesweeping ‘slice’ brim. This design is trimmed with a darker pink Petersham ribbon hatband looped into a bow on the side.
It’s bright and vibrant, well suited to a Caribbean tour.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: Aug 31, 2019; July 3, 2016; April 13, 2016; April 27, 2015
The second hat of the day was her textured brown straw bandeau headpiece trimmed with coffee hued silk roses.
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It’s another great neutral piece that with the flower providing just enough statement.
Designer: unknown. Dress by Natan.
Previously Worn: Sep 9, 2022; Jun 29, 2022; Mar 10, 2020
For events today in Aruba, Queen Máxima repeated a sculptural calot headpiece in pale pinky-beige ruched silk abaca studded with tiny beads.
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While I always love a picture hat with this dress, I do understand the ease and appeal of a smaller headpiece on a tropical tour, and this fits the bill.
Designer: Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: Sep 15, 2017; Nov 3, 2016; Oct 25, 2015; Apr 2, 2014
What do your think of Queen Máxima’s tropical tour hats so far?
Images from Getty as indicated
Row 1: Valerie Margravine of Baden, StephanieMargravine of Baden, Princess Caroline
Row 2: Princess Sibilla, Princess Ekaterina of Hanover, Princess Sarvath of Jordan, Princess Mahkameh zu Schaumburg-Lippe
Row 3: Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, Princess of Prussia, Countess Bettina Bernadotte & Philipp Haug
Row 4: Princess Katharina of Hohenzollern; Princess Ursula of Bavaria, Floria of Hesse, Sumaya bint al-Hassan
On Friday, Empress Masako repeated a pale greige hat with cafe au lait hatband for an annual Imperial Guard inspection
On Saturday, Zara Tindall wore a bead embroidered peacock blue velvet headpiece by Jess Collett to Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye recently (see the comments for more):
Images from social media as indicated
The funeral of King Constantine II, former King of the Hellenes, took place on January 16.
Crown Princess Marie-Chantal
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Princess Nina
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Queen Margrethe and Princess Benedikte of Denmark
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Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands
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Queen Silvia and Queen Mathilde
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Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Lady Gabriella Kingston
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Queen Noor and Princess Raiyah of Jordan
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Former Empress Farah Pahlavi
Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna
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Margravine of Baden
Princess Ekaterina of Hanover also attended in a layered black velvet bow bandeau headpiece by Jennifer Behr (bottom row below).
Images from Getty as indicated
The 2023 New Year’s Lectures and Poetry Readings took place last week at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
January 13: Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (New Year’s Lectures)
Crown Princess Kiko repeated an ink blue velvet covered wide bandeau trimmed with embroidered lace applique flowers on one side. Princess Kako repeated a bandeau of the same shape draped in turquoise silk.
Princess Kiko’s bandeau was previously worn: Feb 23, 2022; Feb 23, 2020
Princes Kako’s bandeau was previously worn: Jan 18, 2022
Princess Akiko repeated a palest yellow silk covered saucer with raised brim around the back, trimmed with a draped hatband and bow. Princess Yoko wore a sleek new pillbox covered in vibrant cerise silk.
Princess Akiko’s hat was previously worn: Dec 5, 2021
Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko repeated silk covered hats. Princess Hisako’s bumper, in muted pink printed jacquard, features an indented crown and twist on one side. Princess Tsuguko’s pistachio green pillbox with triple layered sash across the top of the hat embroidered with the same vine pattern as on the collar of her gown. The lily-of-the-valley blooms that originally embellished this hat but were removed for its last outing have magically appeared again!
Princess Hisako’s hat was previously worn: Feb 23, 2020; Feb 24, 2019;
Princess Tsuguko’s hat was previously worn: Mar 23, 2021; Feb 23, 2020; Oct 25, 2019; May 4, 2019
January 18: Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year’s Poetry Reading)
Crown Princess Kiko repeated a blush silk jacquard printed bandeau with folded cuff across the front. The design is trimmed with organza flowers on one side.
Previously Worn: Nov 16, 2019
Princess Kako wore a new royal blue silk covered percher trimmed with a swirl of crin studded with silk roses. The updated neckline on her gown and new hat transform this ensemble into one much more sophisticated than its original form, a great evolution for a maturing princess. Kako suits the scale and placement of a percher so well.
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Princess Nobuko topped a plum velvet gown with a matching boater hat with brim raised on one side, anchored by a large silk flower.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Princess Akiko repeated a cream silk covered hat with short brim and triple layered hatband.
Previously Worn: Jan 14, 2022; Feb 23, 2020; Nov 16, 2019; Jan 12, 2018
Princess Hisako repeated a striking teal silk pillbox hat trimmed with intricate embroidery around the side of the design along with feathers and a silk ribbon cockade. It’s worth noting that the matching gown bodice and sleeves have been remade. Princess Tsuguko’s blue silk covered hat with trilby-style raised brim around the back has also been changed since it’s last outing. Gone is the previous hatband of silk leaves, replaced with a more streamlined and angular hatband and a swath of net veil.
Princess Hisako’s hat was previously worn: Jan 14, 2016;
Princess Tsuguko’s hat was previously worn: Mar 26, 2021;
There are some striking looks here- which ones stand out to you most?
Images from social media as indicated
Royal Hats 