Tag Archives: Duchess of Cornwall

British Royals in New Hats for Christening

Posted on by

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex christened their son Archie this morning in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Embed from Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex opted for an all cream ensemble topped with a new hat. A straw formed beret-base percher, the design is trimmed with a monochrome crin (or silk organza?) ruffle and finely woven veil.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: My guess is Stephen Jones. Dress by Dior.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Cornwall added another ecru hat to her growing collection. A smaller version of this design, also in textural braided straw, the hat features a modified cloche shape with upturned brim. The hat is simply trimmed with a monochrome knotted bow in the same braided straw on one side, which balances the slightly raised brim on the other.

Designer: I believe it is Lock and Co. Dress by Anna Valentine
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Cambridge topped her salmon pink dress with a red straw bandeau headpiece trimmed in a wide braid of silk abaca. Kate has embraced headpieces of this shape and scale over the past year- the colour and braided motif of this one are really lovely on her. I also really like the unexpected red accessories with her pink dress.


Designer: Juliette Botterill bespoke beandeau version of the Pleated Pillbox from SS 2018. Dress by Stella McCartney.
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

My favourite hat of the day is the draped, pleated salmon pink turban worn by Doria Ragland. The design strongly references an African head wrap while brilliantly updating the turban shape in a fresh, modern and very flattering way.  The fabric draped hat, which I strongly suspect was designed by Stephen Jones, has such a different sense of volume and fluidity than Doria’s streamlined dress and coat in the same fabric, the pieces compliment without looking overly matched.

Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, elder sisters of the late Princess Diana, were included in the family photograph (a statement in an of itself). Jane wore an almond straw fedora with gently curved brim and black ribbon hatband while Sarah’s modified cloche in cream straw features an ostrich feather wrap and pink piped looping side bow.

What do you think of the hats today at Windsor Castle?

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated 

Duchess Christens Cruise Ship

Posted on by

The Duchess of Cornwall was at the Port of Dover yesterday to name and christen a new cruise ship for the Saga line, “Spirit Of Discovery”. For this event, she repeated a straw hat in suitably nautical navy and cream straw.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The hat features a wide cream straw brim with gentle upsweep and a tall asymmetrical crown with formed, curving indent. The crown is wrapped in a wide cuff of folded navy straw over which sits a slim, cream silk hatband that forms a knotted twist on the side. While it’s a piece we’ve seen many times, it’s still one with great scale, shape and contrast. It’s a really good royal summer hat that pairs really well with Camilla’s lace trimmed navy dress and beautiful pearl jewelry.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: March 12, 2018; Sep 8, 2017;  Jul 1, 2016; Jun 18, 2016; May 11, 2016; Jun 2, 2015;  May 22, 2013; Jul 11, 2009;  May 8, 2009; Jun 8, 2007; Jul 14, 2006; May 15, 2006; Jul 20, 2005; and Jun 28, 2005

We’ve not seen this hat in a year- any new thoughts after seeing it again yesterday?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Royal Ascot Day 2: Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall

Posted on by

I’m so pleased to be joined by  Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit, creator of  La plus belle! bespoke millinery in The Hague, to share her thoughts on today’s royal hats at Ascot!

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a new picture hat in pale aqua straw with angular, off-center peaked crown and sidesweeping brim. The hat is trimmed with a layered jinsin hatband and side twists.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Royal Hats: COLOUR! No royal wears a cream/ecru straw picture hat as well as Camilla (or has as many!) and it’s GREAT to see her in other colours-  this pale turquoise is excellent on her. We see a lot of sidesweeping picture hats on Camilla but, as Jay reminded yesterday, it’s because the shape and scale suit her so well. This ensemble is well balanced and while it’s one-note in colour, details on the dress sleeves and neckline, jinsin twists on the hat and a showstopping necklace make it nuanced and interesting.

Embed from Getty Images

Wies Mauduit: Such a pleasure to see the Duchess of Cornwall in pale turquoise – or mint green as it looks in some pictures. The dress is rather simple and with its collar with stitched ribs it has a somewhat sporty look that is well complemented by the neat jinsin curl trimming on the hat. Silk flowers or waving feathers would have been too much, this is just right.

An elegant, streamlined look for Camilla and I would have liked to add: an impeccable one, if it weren’t for the hemline of the dress. It makes me wonder if the fabric is synthetic. (In French couture houses a double folded bias strip of organdie, cotton or silk organza is inserted in the hemline to make it look polished and lay completely smooth. The devil is in the detail!

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Prince of Wales repeated his antique black silk top hat (a hat that could really use a polish!).

Embed from Getty Images

What do you think about Camilla’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Royal Ascot Day 1: Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall

Posted on by

It’s my pleasure to be joined today by Toronto-based milliner Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery.

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a new hat in blush pink straw. The design features a rounded crown and oval shaped brim, the longer side folded into a sharp upsweep and it is trimmed with a slim double hatband and a handmade peachy-pink silk flower with pale green leaves anchored on the outside of the upfolded brim.

Embed from Getty Images

Royal Hats: This is another impeccably finished hat for Camilla. The shape is a signature for her as is the pale colour, which suits her. It’s a great hat but it’s impact is lost because she has so many others very similar to it already in her wardrobe. Maybe Jay can help me cast fresh eyes on this hat?!

Embed from Getty Images

Jay Cheng: Not surprised to see the Duchess of Cornwall wearing her signature shape hat. It is very hard to place another hat shape on her that will work as perfect as this“Camilla”hat.This hat strikes a perfect balance in many ways. The sweep upturn brim shows off her hair style and the hat is an ideal size to balance the padded shoulders on her coat. The width of the brim gives the illusion of a smaller face and the hat shape is chosen well to suit her. The single rose on the hat looks heavenly, adding a very graceful touch to the hat. Perfect hat for Camillia in every aspect.

Embed from Getty Images

Royal Hats: You’re right, Jay. It’s her signature because it suits her SO well.

Designer: Philip Treacy. I believe the flower on the hat is by Anfisa Korelova
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Prince of Wales repeated his antique black silk top hat.

Embed from Getty Images

What do you think of Camilla’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Trooping The Colour 2019: Wales Family

Posted on by

The entire Wales family attended today’s Trooping the Colour celebration in London. The Duchess of Cornwall topped her mint coat with her ecru straw sideswept hat with angular crown and wide, sidesweeping brim. The hat is trimmed with a cream hatband with folded edges that create the look of monochrome stripes, and a spray of cream feathers and layered lace floral applique cutouts.

Embed from Getty Images

The hat is impeccably finished and the lace trim adds a delicate touch that balances so well with the angular lines of the hat and links with the lace trimming Camilla’s coat. It’s a great look for her.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy. Dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield.
Previously Worn: June 20, 2018; May 22, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge repeated a large shaped saucer hat in cream straw. The double layered hat features an organic, sharp sidesweep in a fluted curve that reveals lavish trimming of straw twists and pale yellow silk roses on the underside. It’s a great statement piece with wonderful movement and scale that is tamed by its soft colour scheme- a palate that looks wonderful against Kate’s dark hair.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy. Dress by Alexander McQueen.
Previously Worn: May 19, 2018

The Duke of Sussex, who holds the senior ranks of Major in the British Army and Royal Marines, Squadron Leader in the Air Force, and Lieutenant Commander in the British Navy, was in uniform (I believe that of his regiment, the Blues and Royals) with with peaked forage cap.

Embed from Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex wore a navy straw teardrop beret percher trimmed in pointed ribbons of navy and white crin that form a loose knot on the side of the hat. Several blogs are reporting it as the same hat she wore to Princess Eugenie’s wedding but they are different-  if you look at the straw bases, the previously worn hat appears to be fairly round shape with little height in a textured straw (parasisal maybe?) while today’s hat has a teardrop shape with slightly higher, domed top in a more finely woven straw. While it is a little curious to choose two hats that are so similar, this is a streamlined design that tied well to Meghan’s cream sleeved dress.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Noel Stewart. Dress and coat by Givenchy
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

While not in hats, several additional familiar faces from the Wales family were spotted, excitedly watching the parade through the front windows of Buckingham Palace. So sweet.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
So- what do you think of this group of hats on the Waleses?
Photos from Getty as indicated

British Royals Attend D-Day Commemorations in Normandy

Posted on by

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were in Bayeux in the Normandy region of France today to attend a ceremony at the Cathedral of Bayeux and the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, after which they met with surviving D-Day Veterans and members of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

Embed from Getty Images

For these events, the Duchess repeated an almond straw picture hat with an off-centre, peaked crown, balanced by a wide, sidesweeping brim. The hat is trimmed in six overlapping folded jinsin straw ribbons that wrap around the crown in a fanning hatband with tails that extend over the brim. The same stacked jinsin ribbons twist into an origami-esque knotted embellishment on the side.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The mix of straws makes this monochrome hat work, along with it’s unique trim. Yes, the ensemble is a “whole lot of biscuit” but with its many beautiful details (like the wonderful repeated layers on the coat’s collar and the hatband), works well for such a memorial event as this.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: Jun 18, 2014

I thought Camilla looked the picture of mature contemporary elegance today in Normandy- what do you think of her hat? Make sure you scroll through the gallery above to the last photo, showing the Prince’s tie. Fittingly, it was printed with boats (Noah’s Ark, I do believe) and peace doves with olive branches.

Photos from Getty as indicated 

British Royals Welcome American State Visit

Posted on by

Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall officially welcomed the American president and first lady to the UK this morning with events at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

Embed from Getty Images

For the Buckingham Palace welcome, Queen Elizabeth repeated a hat in the prettiest muted jade straw. With with straight-sided, domed top crown and short cartwheel brim, the design is finished with silk flowers and a multi-looped straw bow.

Embed from Getty Images

The last time the Trumps paid a visit, the Queen’s hat made headlines and I can only imagine there were efforts behind the scenes to prevent this happening a second time. The best way to do this? Repeat a hat we saw Her Majesty wear less than two weeks ago, in a completely neutral (not red, white or blue) colour. So no hat story here! It’s another brilliant stroke of diplomatic dressing on her part.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: May 22, 2019; May 15, 2018; June 23, 2017

The Duchess of Cornwall used this occasion to debut a new hat in ivory straw. The crown has a unique pinch pleat that swirls across the front of the crown to form a short peak on the top (see it on a similar design from the Spring Summer 2019 Philip Treacy collection here).

Embed from Getty Images

The inherent informality of this interesting crown shape is balanced by the hat’s crin trim. A four-layer fanning hatband in windowpane lattice printed crin follows the crown swirl and folds into a large, quadruple looped bow on the side. Camilla loves a cream straw hat (she’s got 28 others!) and while I would love to see additions to her millinery wardrobe in other colours, the details and shape on this hat are certainly interesting and allow it to confidently stand on its own.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: This hat is new

American First Lady Melania Trump wore a streamlined and very crisp navy and white ensemble topped with a jaunty hat. With a flat crown and cartwheel brim in what looks to be fabric covered straw, the hat is simply trimmed in a wide navy hatband. It’s a fantastically chic look on Mrs. Trump, particularly placed on an angle and with her hair styled in a sweep across her forehead.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Hervé Pierre (American designer, fashion consultant and Mrs. Trump’s stylist). Dress by Dolce and Gabbana.

Joining the American entourage was the president’s daughter, Ivanka Kushner, who wore a formed ivory felt percher trimmed with a knotted bow. While I’m reticent to critique a non-royal hat wearer who doesn’t wear hats often, the position of this one seems odd to me (more of a superhero mask than a percher hat) as does the material, which just feels out of season.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy. Alessandra Rich jacket and skirt.

There are some good hats here- which ones stand out most to you?

Embed from Getty Images

Photos from Getty as indicated