Statement Quills?

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As we transition to winter hats in the Northern Hemisphere and those of you in the Southern Hemisphere get out your summer designs, it struck me this week that quills are one millinery trim that transcend season. So, for a discussion topic to end this week, I’m curious-  which royal hats have the most statement-making quills?

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For clarifying definition, I turn to millinery feather expert Ian Bennett- a quill is the spine of a feather where all fronds have been removed (if there are fronds still on the feather, the spine is… the spine!).

I can’t wait to see what you all share!

Image from Getty as indicated

Hat From the Past

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Royal Hats Wishing Empress Michiko a happy 87th birthday today with a look back at one of her hats. This layered turban was worn to the Tokyo Olympics on October 21, 1964 speaks very much to the fashion of the times (the layers are a lovely touch). And of course, a nod must be given to the most darling cap on young Prince Naruhito!

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Images from Getty as indicated

Princess Marie’s Folketinget Hats

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The new session of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) commences the first Tuesday of October each year with Queen Margrethe and members of the Danish royal family attending the first sitting of the house. Here are all of the past hats Princess Marie has worn to this event:


Taupe straw Susanne Juul stovepipe in 2008; Green felt pillbox with black feathers in 2009; Black straw beret n 2010


Beige trilby with black leather trim in 2011; Greige pillbox in 2012 and a black organza headpiece in 2013


Navy straw fedora in 2014; Plum felt brimmed hat in 2015


Pink sinamay flower headpiece in 2016; Repeat of the navy straw fedora 2017; Navy felt Whitely calot in 2018

It’s an autumnal hued group, save for that pink flower fascinator in 2016.  The standouts for me are the deep green 1940s pillbox in 2009 and the plum felt brimmed hat in 2015.

What do you notice about Princess Marie’s millinery style evolution through the years at this event?

Photos from Niels Henrik Dam via Getty; Hanne Juul; Francis Dean/Corbis via Getty; Corbis; Patrick van Katwijk,and Ricardo Ramirez via Corbis; Splash News/Splash News/Corbis; Ole Jensen/Corbis via Getty; Søren Bidstrup/Scanpix; Chris Christopherson

Hat From the Past

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Royal Hats to this day in 1986 and a trip to China that saw Queen Elizabeth in a white silk covered hat with cartwheel brim by Frederick Fox, trimmed with a simply tied scarf hatband in the same blue and white silk print as her suit.

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Photos from Getty as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Ahead of her October 26 marriage, Princess Mako wore a simple black brimmed hat to visit the graves of her great grandparents on Tuesday. Today, she and Princess Kako wore a cream silk bumper hats for a ritual at the Three Palace Sanctuaries (Mako’s last as a member of the Imperial Royal Family).

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On Tuesday, Maud Behn wore a whimsical lobster embroidered bandeau headpiece to take delivery of her upcoming book.
Also on Tuesday, Princess Margriet wore a chocolate hat with felt crown and sinamay mushroom brim for a WWII memorial

On Tuesday, Princess Beatrix wore a bumper hat in layered burgundy and rust sinamay with a pyramid crown for the anniversary of a women’s charity

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The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Stunning pink swirl and gold pinwheel designs by Australian milliner Rebecca Share
Fantastic pink boater hat by Australian milliner Michelle Robinson
Sophisticated claret felt brimmed design by American milliner Debbie Lorenzo
Graphic, wide-brimmed interlocking wood hat by Spanish brand Vivascarrion Artmilliners
Stunning colour and shape on this flared bumper, blocked on a puzzle block, by US milliner Laura Del Vellaggio
Wonderfully whimsical design of gold rolled sinamay ‘hair’ by Australian milliner Rachel Henry!

Amazing Tudor headpiece by British theatrical milliner Lauren Martin
Incredible sea waves headpiece by Australian brand Taboo Millinery
Magenta floating bandeau headpiece by Australian milliner Lauren J. Ritchie
Lovely vintage vibe on this cream felt draped hat with teal trim by Polish brand Oktopus
Gorgeous raspberry sinamay hat with domed crown and cartwheel brim by Australian milliner Fiona Cooper
Bandeau headpiece of pink scrolled braid flowers by Australian milliner Lisette Margini
At a loss how to describe this embellished pillbox by Australian milliner Catherine Storm except… WOW!

Utterly charming pale blue pale blue parasisal brimmed hat with flying bow by Australian milliner Jill Humphries
Wonderful historical bonnets made by Finnish brand Brevetar Hats
Exquisite rolled sinamay lily headpiece with cornflowers by British milliner Bridget Bailey
Deep magenta halo bandeau of metallic flowers by Australian milliner Sophie Allport
Striking black interwoven ring headpiece by American brand CHUCHU NY
Punchy orange and fuchsia waved saucer with silk flowers by British milliner Beverley Edmondson
Fresh and creative lattice woven headpiece with flying bow by Australian milliner Belinda Osborne
Unique watercolour painted boater by British designer Shandana de la Rivière

Lovely new portraits of King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema released for their 10th wedding anniversary

New snaps of Prince Christian released for his his 16th birthday this week

And we end the week with adorable Prince Charles of Luxembourg.

Images from social media as indicated