Tag Archives: Archduchess Gabriella

Liechtenstein Royal Wedding

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Princess Maria Anunciata of Liechtenstein (daughter of Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg and Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein) was married to Emanuele Musini on Saturday. The ceremony was held The wedding was held at  the Schottenkirche, a baroque 12th century parish church in Vienna (an intimate civil ceremony took place in June at the Villa della Tenuta di Fassia in Italy).

The bride wore a Valentino gown made of satin with a curved neckline and fitted bodice that extended to a full skirt. A balloon hem on the skirt and train linked with the gown’s statement balloon sleeves.

An exquisite elbow length lace veil with detailed border toped the gown, anchored by the Habsburg Fringe tiara, a diadem from the bride’s paternal royal family collection. The spiky tiara contrasted beautifully with the romantic floral veil and blossoms studded through Maria Anunciata’s hair.

 

Five wee bridesmaids in silk frocks with botanical green sashes and white floral headdresses attended the bride, carefully maneuvering her exquisite veil.

For the evening reception held at the magnificent 16th century Liechtenstein Garden Palace, Maria Anunciata wore a silk chiffon gown with deep V neckline, horizontally drapedn beaded torso and flowing skirt. In a lovely nod to her mother’s family, she wore the Luxembourg Vine Leaves tiara, beautifully placed as a bandeau over the crown of her head.

We adore a daytime royal wedding ceremony because it means there will be hats!! Mother of the bride Princess Margaretha topped a pink bouclé Chanel dress with a horizontally pleated pink pillbox. Her younger daughter, Princess Marie-Astrid, wore a halo bandeau covered in a vibrant floral print.

 

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie topped a vibrant floral dress with a wheat coloured sinamay hat with gently raised brim on one side. The hat is simply trimmed with a wide hatband that loops into an interesting large abstract bow.

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a bright fuchsia pink bandeau encased in crin that tied in a large bow at the nape of her neck. It  is the “Hotel Party” design by Mimoki.

Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg tucked a fresh floral spray into her chignon. Her aunt, Archduchess Marie-Astrid, wore an navy rolled sinamay leaf fascinator with dotted veil while Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum wore a sculpted dusky pink headpiece.

Archduchess Gabriella wore a bandeau headpiece that appears to be trimmed in salmon pink striped feathers.

Princess Sibilla repeated a lime sinamay hat with curving brim trimmed with silk flowers on one side. Countess Diane de Nassau topped her floral Zimmerman dress with a pink sinamay picture hat with rolled sinamay leaves, roses and feathers around the base of the crown in place of a hatband.

Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, pictured at the far right of the group photo below, wore a wide-brimmed, lemon yellow sinamay hat with upswept brim and large bow on the side

Princess Laetitia of Belgium wore a bandeau headpiece of overlapping green feathers.

Hereditary Princess Cleopatra of Oettingen-Spielberg wore a black knotted halo bandeau headpiece wrapped in a black dotted veil. While members of the Hanover and Casiraghi families were in attendance, they did not wear hats.

As more photos of guests become available, I will update this post. In the meantime- which hats at this wedding stand out most to you?

Images from social media as indicated  

Habsburg Bourbon Wedding in Austria

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On Saturday, Prince Henri of Bourbon-Parma and Archduchess Gabriella of Austria were married on the grounds of Schloss Tratzberg in Jenbach, Austria following a three year engagement. Archduchess Gabriella might be familiar to some of you- she is the daughter of Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria (thus niece of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg). There is a comprehensive explanation of the couple’s familial roots here.

Gabriella wore an ivory silk strapless gown with fitted bodice that extended to an A-line skirt with short train. A cropped overlay jacket of appliqued lace with three-quarter length sleeves and an embellished boat neckline topped the gown.

Gabriella completed her bridal look with full length lace veil and the Grand Duchess Adelaide Tiara with diamond leaf and berry motif and center sapphire (you can read more about the tiara over at Luxarazzi or The Court Jeweller). Some reports have suggested that the veil is the same as was worn by the bride’s elder sister Archduchess Marie Christine back in 2008 but as you’ll see here, the veil’s size and lace pattern is different. Whatever the provenance of the lace, it paired beautifully with the gown, lace jacket and delicate bandeau tiara to create a very pretty bridal look for Gabriella.

The wedding took place late afternoon so there were no hats but some lovely royal guest fashion is to be admired, including a sweet pink Austrian folk dress on the couple’s nearly 3-year old daughter, Victoria. At the back of the bottom photo, you’ll also catch wee Prince Charles of Luxembourg, proudly held by his papa.

Belgian Noble Wedding: Royal Guests Part 2

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Royal Hats After looking at the bridal couple and their mothers and the Grand Ducal family, we’re going to wrap up our look at last weekend’s wedding of Princess Alix de Ligne and Count Guillaume de Dampierre with a review of the hats worn by some of the remaining royal guests. My sincere thanks to Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog, for generously sharing his photos of the event.

Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria wore a small green cocktail hat trimmed with natural straw twists, beige feathers and a net tulle veil. I’m all for royal women trying new millinery shapes but the base of this one is much too small for Marie-Astrid and the placement of it’s embellishment leaves the piece looking like a toy helicopter hovering over her head.

Archduchess Marie Astrid , June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Marie Astrid’s eldest daughter, Countess Marie-Christine of Limburg-Stirum, wore a gold headband while her youngest daughter, Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, wore a navy straw hat with ruched silk trim. The navy hat is fine but the gold headband? I’m perplexed.

Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum, Archduchess Gabriella and Archduchess Marie Astrid, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Countess Diane of Nassau (wife of Prince Jean of Luxembourg) wore an interesting blue straw hat with upturned brim cut in a unique chevron shape. This unusual brim shape is emphasized by several rows of cream stitching that contrasts nicely with the denim blue hat. While I was originally intrigued by this hat, seeing it on this video shows an entirely different picture- one of a floppy denim hat that looks far more suited for a day in the garden than a wedding. Countess Diane and Prince Jean are photographed below with their friend, Count Jehan de Lannoy (elder brother of Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie. It’s a small world, this world of western European nobility).

Countess Diane of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Prince Jean’s daughter, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau, looked to be wearing a chocolate Garbo style hat with floppy brim that coordinated with the piping on her pink and yellow dress. She was photographed with her cousin, Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein (daughter of Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein) who wore a natural straw cloche hat with an embellished hat band.

Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau and Princess Marie-Astrid of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein topped her blue and white ensemble with a navy straw headpiece. While these photographs don’t tell for certain, I suspect this headpiece is an open circlet. Her daughter, Princess Anunciata, wore a cream Garbo style hat with floppy brim that looked effortlessly chic with her fuchsia top and trousers. Between the two fuchsia pant suits we saw at these nuptials, this one was by far my favourite!

Princess Margaretha and Princess Anunciata of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats   Princess Margaretha and Princess Anunciata of Liechtenstein, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, wife of Prince Guillaume (Grand Duke Henri’s youngest brother) wore a lime straw hat with raised brim at the back, embellished by straw curls and what looks like pleated hat bands in the same straw. While the style of the hat is intriguing, I’m far less convinced about the colour, both with Princess Sibilla’s colouring but especially, paired with her yellow lace dress. This ensemble begs the question- how much citrus can a royal outfit handle before it turns sour?

Princess Sibilla, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

Prince Robert of Nassau (cousin of Grand Duke Henri) was also in attendance with his American born wife, Princess Julie, who wore a melon orange straw hat with sharply raised ‘slice brim’, trimmed with a large straw swirled rose. Their daughter, Princess Charlotte of Nassau, wore a dramatic white percher saucer hat lavishly trimmed in white silk roses.

Princess Julie of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Charlotte and Princess Julie of Nassau, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

The Duchess of Bragança, who attended with her husband and two of her children, wore a natural straw hat with square crown and flat, upfolded brim trimmed with a hat band sash in the same pale green silk as her coat.

Duchess of Bragança, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats   Duchess of Bragança, June 18, 2016 | Royal Hats

With 900 people in attendance there were numerous other royals and nobles in attendance. Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog, has posted a gallery with 81 pictures of royal and noble guests (with identification!). It’s certainly worth a peek.

That brings our look at this Belgian royal wedding to a close. What hats stood out to you most at this event? Stay tuned this Friday when we see the Grand Ducal family out again (and in hats!) for their country’s National Day.

Photos from Valentin Dupont, author of Royalement Blog and Rex/Shutterstock

Luxembourg Royal Wedding: The Groom’s Extended Family

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Prince Felix’s paternal extended family wore some memorable hats today. One of my favourites was the folded grey crin hat chosen by Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria (Grand Duke Henri’s sister). This hat was so interesting in both shape and the way it complimented her icy blue dress- a good, albeit very modern look for her.

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Marie Astrid’s two daughters both chose feathery fascinators for their cousin’s wedding. Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum wore a straw bow loop fascinator tucked behind one ear.

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Archduchess Gabriella wore a looped burgundy bow with fly-away feathers. I particularly liked Gabriella’s fascinator with her ecru lace dress (and matching scarlet shoes!)

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Marie Astrid’s two daughter-in-laws also choose fascinator headpieces. Archduchess Kathleen of Austria wore a light headpiece of navy organza bubbles (I think there’s also some gold ribbon or feathers tucked in there as well) that I thought was a little too twee. Navy certainly is a great colour on her, however, isn’t it?

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Archduchess Adelaide of Austria, chose a white and pink saddle-curve headpiece trimmed in pink curling ribbons and white feathers.

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Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein (also a sister of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg) wore a spiky feathered headpiece on the crown of her head. This headpiece appeared to match the colours of her lovely shawl but I had a hard time making sense of the orange dress in between. The placement of this headpiece also reminds me far too much of a bad toupee.

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Princess Margaretha’s two daughters, Princesses Annunciata  (left) and Princess Astrid of Liechtenstein,  wore lavishly trimmed cocktail hats to top their golden frocks.

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Countess Diane of Nassau, wife of Grand Duke Henri’s brother, Jean, wore a dramatic picture hat woven in tan and black zebra stripes. A black organza band and bow around the crown completed the hat. It is a a boldly creative hat but I think the pattern is too busy with her striped dress. I love stripes but this is just too much.

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Prince Jean’s first wife, Helene Vesture, was also in attendance in a fascinator headpiece of curling pink and tan feathers. (not a figure normally covered here, she remains the groom’s aunt)

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Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg, wife of Grand Duke Henri’s youngest brother Guillaume, wore a vibrant turquoise picture hat with a squared crown and gently upturned grim on one side. There appeared to be some fabric detail (leaves? flowers? unidentified bunchy bits?) and feathers trimming the crown. This is another hat I wish I could love but something about the size and shape was a little off.

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Photos from Getty as indicated

Austrian Royal Wedding in Washington

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It’s been nearly seven months since a royal wedding was held in Washington, DC – the wedding of Archduke Imre of Austria and Kathleen Walker. Since this week has been very quiet on the royal front, I thought we’d look back at the hats from this Austrian-American royal wedding. Special thanks to Spiering Photography and Marlene A. Koenig, author of The Royal Musings Blog, who attended this event and have graciously shared photographs with us.

Archduke Imre is the son of Archduke Carl Christian of Austria and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria (née Princess of Luxembourg) – this makes him the grandson of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and the nephew of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.The bride, Kathleen Walker, is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and completed a degree in journalism from Northern Kentucky University. She met Imre while working as Communications Director of the Arlington (Virgina) Diocean Catholic Charities and they both attended a Missa Cantata in honour of Blessed Karl of Austria, Imre’s great-grandfather. The couple married on September 8, 2012 at St. Mary Mother of God Church in Washington, DC, the same church where they met.

Kathleen wore a white satin dress with pleated bodice, lace neckline and sleeves. She topped this with an antique lace Habsburg veil from her groom’s family- a veil rumored to have been worn by Empress Eugénie for her wedding to Napoleon III in 1853 (also worn by Imre’s sister Marie-Christine at her wedding in 2008 and his sister-in-law Adelaide in December 2012). The veil was anchored by a triple string of pearls- a very pretty and unique touch, don’t you think?

The bride’s mother, Margaret Walker, wore an ice blue suit and a cream straw hat with mushroom shaped brim. There looks to be a straw rose and some delicate feathers on the side.

Kathleen’s bridesmaids, one of whom was Imre’s younger sister Archduchess Gabriella of Austria, wore peacock blue silk dresses with fresh blush pink and cream roses in their hair. Imre’s attendants included his brother Cristophe (who was married in December) and his cousin, Prince Felix of Luxembourg (centre).

Imre’s mother, Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria (née Princess of Luxembourg) wore a ruched tan straw hat with large picture brim. The brim was a little unstructured for my taste but I suppose, fit well with this less formal royal wedding.

Imre’s aunts, Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein (née Princess of Luxembourg) and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg were a contrast of styles. Margaretha wore a delightfully quirky small hat in sherbet orange and fuchsia pink with flat brim and side bow. Sibilla was characteristically elegant in a large natural straw picture hat. 

 

Princess Margaretha’s daughter, also named Marie-Astrid, wore a percher hat covered yellow flowers and green leaves. While I’ll give her points for the stylish grey and yellow colour scheme, I’ll pass on the messy hat.

  

Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg chose a blush pink giant rosette fascinator, a potentially pretty statement piece that fell victim to awkward head placement. Alexandra’s sister-in-law-to-be, Claire Lademacher, also chose pink millinery, a straw beret placed on the back of her head. It’s a simple hat that made an unexpected pairing with her yellow dress. Alexandra’s cousin, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau, wore a navy veiled straw beret. Paired with a printed vintage-inspired dress, this hat was striking and fun while still appropriate for the church wedding.

Adelaide Drapé-Frisch, who married Imre’s brother Christophe in December, wore a navy hat with flat crown, rolled brim and polka-dotted feather trim. For her first royal hat outing, I thought this was a solid start.

Archduchess Marie Helene and her daughter, Archduchess Priscilla of Austria (paternal relatives of the groom through Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria), wore a grey fascinator and a white straw hat.

The Duke and Duchess of Braganza also attended this wedding. It’s tough to see but Isabel wore a chocolate brown rose and leaf fascinator on the side of her head.

And finally, the best for last (or most memorable, at least!) Anastasia, Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg (née Princess Anastasia of Prussia) wore a hat entirely covered in bright pink feathers. I suppose if you can’t wear a hat that looks like a giant peony bloom to a royal wedding, you probably can’t wear it anywhere. I’m not a fan of the hat  but I’m a fan of any woman gutsy enough to wear it in public.

All in all, this was a much less formal wedding than we would see a month later in Luxembourg (not surprising, for the heir’s wedding) and three months later for Imre’s brother Christophe. While I’m a fan of royal weddings, I found the relative informality of this one gave it great charm- it was not about pomp and pageantry, but about a happy family getting together for the fun celebration of a couple filled with love and joy.

I’m curious, dear readers, which hat at this American-Austrian was your favourite?

Photos from Spiering Photography and Marlene A. Koenig via The Royal Musings Blog