to 1970 and Queen Elizabeth enjoying Ascot, despite the rain, in what looks to be a whimsical and rather vibrant striped pillbox. I don’t remember seeing this hat before- do any of you?
Photo from Ascot Raceourse as indicated
Prinsjesdag 2017
Senior members of the Dutch Royal family took part in Prinsjesdag today, the start of a new session of Dutch parliament that takes place every year in The Hague on the third Tuesday of September. As in years past, Queen Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien joined King Willem-Alexander, whose speech from the throne addressed a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives. As per tradition, the women dressed in long gowns and hats according to the 18th century court dress code that remains in place for this event.
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Queen Máxima wore a slate blue gown in transparent silk brocade printed with large roses. A pleated toque hat (a pillbox calot hybrid) made of the same ruched fabric as the gown and worn on the back Máxima’s head completed the ensemble.
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We saw Queen Máxima in a short, pale pink version of today’s gown during her and the king’s recent trip to Italy, which she paired then with a large straw hat with upswept ‘slice’ brim. The combination of this dress with a straw hat was one I preferred- I think straw gives better dimension, texture and interest to an ensemble than the same fabric head to toe. I also prefer the drama that a large brimmed hat brings at high profile events such as these!
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Designer: unknown. Gown by Natan.
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Princess Laurentien topped her pale green and gold silk jacquard gown with a matching pleated turban headpiece. The contrast between the pleated hat and streamlined dress was a good one, although the same use of fabric for both pieces again felt a bit flat. As a strong opponent of open crowned hats, I have to concede that in this instance, an open crown was a good call as a full turban would have been fabric overkill.
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Designer: Eudia. Gown by
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Prinsjesdag is always a highlight in the royal hat calendar and while this year’s pieces were not as dramatic and memorable as in the past, they are certainly still memorable. What are your thoughts, dearest readers, on these two new pieces? You can see all the hats Queen Máxima has worn to previous Prinsjesdags at this post.
Photos from Getty as indicated
Princess Beatrix Opens Tilburg Exhibition
While waiting for photos of Prinsjesdag to be released, I want to catch up with Princess Beatrix who on Saturday, was in Tilburg to open Exhibition WeerZien at Museum de Pont. For this event, she repeated her black straw hat with pleated brim.
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This straw design looks simple and streamlined but there is a a lot going on here- the domed crown is wrapped in a tall, folded hatband of sorts that overlaps on the right side, an overlap echoed on the high, upfolded brim- a brim made of pleated straw and edged in a wide stripe of binding. The scale and balance of the hat keeps these design elements in harmony and the use of light straw gives further airiness to the hat. For a black hat without your typical feather or flower trim, it’s surprisingly interesting to look at.
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Designer: unconfirmed. Likely Suzanne Moulijn
Previously Worn: April 21, 2016; May 4, 2011; April 14, 2011; June 22, 2010
Previously Worn: April 21, 2016; May 4, 2011; April 14, 2011; June 22, 2010
Thoughts about this pleated hat on Princess Beatrix?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Top Royal Hats June 2017
Our polls for top new and top repeated royal hats worn in June (not including Ascot hats) were, again, very tight races! Three hats – ironically, all worn to the same event – emerged victorious:
Duchess of Cambridge’s pink button percher with triple crin ruffle trim by Jane Taylor worn June 17
Queen Elizabeth’s sky blue straw hat with lattice brim by Philip Somerville worn June 1 and June 17
Duchess of Cornwall’s cream straw Philip Treacy hat wtih ecru layered hatband and twist worn June 17
Jump over to the bottom of the original poll posts (new hats here and repeated hats here) to look at the results in greater detail or head over to the Fan Favourites page to see a growing tally of your favourite hats of 2017. Stay tuned tomorrow for our next set of polls, choosing favourite hats worn in July and August.
Photos from Mark Cuthbert and Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty
British Royals Commemorate Battle of Britain
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attended a service at Westminster Abbey yesterday to remember the the pilots and aircrew of the Royal Air Force who lost their lives in The Battle of Britain 77 years ago. The Duchess of Cornwall attended the event in a sharp, new hat
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In white straw, the large scale design features an angular, off-centre peaked crown and upturned brim; it is trimmed in a shiny navy patent hatband topped with slimmer navy silk covered cord that wraps into a circular side decoration. The design’s sharp angles, strong contrast and sleek trim makes for a slightly bolder hat for Camilla than we’re used to seeing her wear. I’m not sure the crown shape flatters her entirely but it’s nice to see her experiment even a little outside her usual millinery shapes and lavish trims.
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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Several of you have been calling for the Duchess to expand her millinery closet and I’m curious to hear what you think of this new design!
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 