Tag Archives: Duchess of Cornwall

British Royals Attend Braemar Games

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On Saturday, Queen Elizabeth was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and Peter and Autumn Philips for what looked like a very enjoyable day at the Braemar Games.

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Queen Elizabeth repeated her royal purple felt hat with square crown, downward facing brim with upfolded kettle edge and dark purple velvet hatband trimmed with stitched purple velvet leaves and silk flowers.

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This outing gives us a good look at this hat’s trim, which was updated for it’s last outing. This change elevates the hat- I adore those stitched velvet leaves)-  and the trim works much better than the white irises that originally adorned it. Fascinatingly, this trim change has made the design look much more in proportion, an optical illusion that works so well here (the hatmaker herself confirmed there were no changes to the hat’s crown height, as we suspected during its last outing) and ties beautifully with the velvet trim on this ensemble’s coat.

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Designer: Angela Kelly made by Stella McLaren
Previously Worn: Mar 11, 2019;  Jan 13, 2019; Oct 23, 2018; Mar 6, 2018; Dec 7, 2017; Nov 24, 2016

The Duchess of Rothesay repeated her formed beret in deep cranberry red felt, trimmed with a pair of pheasant feathers.

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This is the first good look we’ve had at this hat in years which is great, because it’s really wonderful on Camilla. She has just two red hats in her wardrobe, such a shame as she wears the colour so well.

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An interesting side note on this hat- worn well past the 10 wears that we’ve discussed recently (thanks to a quote from the late milliner Philip Somerville guessing this as the average number of times most royal hats are worn), the original feathers that appeared on this hat were replaced in 2017 for the larger ones we see on it today. While the change may have been an aesthetic one, it certainly has added to this hat’s longevity!

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At the Palace of Holyroodhouse on May 9, 2012

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: August 25, 2019; Sep 30, 2018; Sep 23, 2018; Sep 16, 2018; Sep 24, 2017; Aug 20, 2017; April 16, 2017; Sep 11, 2016; Sep 26, 2015; Sep 5, 2012; Sep 1, 2012; May 9, 2012; Sep 18, 2011; Apr 9, 2006; Apr 10, 2005

Autumn Phillips wore a percher hat with sculpted base in sage green described by the milliner as “hand-blocked peachbloom felt pillbox hat trimmed with an abstract bow, and finished with 2 degrade dyed feathers and a large crystal pearl in subtle tones of the same colour.”

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The scale and movement of this piece is wonderful on her and makes such a great pairing for her slightly lighter green plaid wool coat. I particularly admire the shape and height of the bow and the colour of the feathers. Some might be tempted to pair this coat with burgundy hat to match its velvet trim but I adore that Autumn (or her stylist, Annie Miall) went the less expected route with this design in green. It’s so much more interesting and brings out her green eyes so well.

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Designer: Sally-Ann Provan’s Artani design  It is the Guinea London Knightsbridge coat. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Yesterday, Queen Elizabeth attended Suinday service at Crathie Kirk in a repeated cloche variation covered in pale silk crepe. The hat’s contrasting black lower hatband, which shows up as a sharply punctuating pinstripe, and black leaves, nestled behind those exquisite handmade flowers, are an unexpected touch on this hat but one that makes it work so well.

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: Aug 6, 2019; Aug 12, 2018

The Duchess of Rothesay also attended church, repeating her red beret’s taupe twin, also trimmed with pheasant feathers.

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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: Aug 11, 2019; Aug 19, 2018; Oct 8, 2017; Sep 10, 2017; Aug 13, 2017; Sep 18, 2016

That’s five hats in Scotland over the weekend. Which ones stood out most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

Catching Up With The British Royals

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With nine British royal hats appearing at semi-public events this week, I thought we’d take a dedicated look at these designs to kick off this holiday weekend (our regular weekend “Extra’s” post will follow tomorrow). Last Sunday, Queen Elizabeth was spotted en route to Sunday service at Crathie Kirk in Scotland in a new hat. UPDATE- thanks to you super sleuths, we know know this hat is a repeat and more than a decade old!

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In bright pink straw, the design’s sidesweeping brim is edged in a wide binding stripe in robin’s egg blue, which is repeated on the straw twist and burnt feathers of its trim. While the colour makes a fun statement (especially with such an unexpected colour pairing!), I’m not keen on the hat’s flared crown, which gives it a slightly cartoonish vibe from front view.

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Designer: unknown. Based on dates, I strongly suspect Philip Somerville
Previously Worn: November 24, 2007
The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her red felt Philip Treacy beret with pheasant feather trim. Camilla has worn this hat exclusively in Scotland (mainly for private events such as this) which is a shame, as the pop of colour is great on her!
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The Duchess of Cambridge repeated a navy saucer shaped percher hat with large center knot felt flower on the back.
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Designer: Lock and Co. 
Previously Worn: Aug 26, 2018; Feb 7, 2016; March 26, 2015 (private event)
The Countess of Wessex repeated a camel felt fedora with overlapping pheasant feather hatband. Sophie wears fedora and trilby shapes well and the hatband on this casual design is such a great touch.
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Designer:  Suffolk Fedora in Camel from Hicks & Brown
Previously Worn: Dec 23, 2018; May 14, 2018
Princess Anne wore a hat that, I think, is a new design. In warm camel felt, this trilby features an extended brim that raises, in classic trilby fashion around the back, and is trimmed simply with what looks like a two-tone hatband in gold and chocolate, tied in a side bow. It’s a similar design to the turquoise and purple hats she added to her millinery wardrobe over the past year, although not as interesting a colour.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

Autumn Phillips rounded last Sunday’s royal attendees at church in a dark caramel felt button percher trimmed with a chocolate organza ruffle around a silk bloom and two striped pheasant feathers. As far as brown hats go, it’s a good one

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Designer: Unknown. It looks like Juliette Botterill to me
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Today, the York Princesses and their mum attended Ellie Goulding’s wedding in Yorkshire. Princess Beatrice topped an irredescent emerald frock with a new black bandeau headpiece in leather, trimmed with handmade flowers and textured leaves. Black leather could be a tricky material to pull off for a royal headpiece but this one’s floral trim beautifully balances its edgy material, creating a smoothly elegant piece in a shape that looks great on Bea.

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Designer: Athena by Justine Bradley-Hill. by Dress by The Vampire’s Wife 
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Eugenie repeated her navy straw pillbox with braided perimeter. It remains a great design for her, paired again with a floral frock (I think the open neckline of this dress makes for a better pairing).

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Designer: Juliette Botterill (bespoke version of the “Pleated Pillbox” from SS 2018). Dress by Peter Pilotto
Previously Worn: Apr 18, 2019

The Duchess of York topped a lace coat with a straw bumper hat with outside edge wrapped on two layers of Lady Amherst feathers. The bandeau shape suits Sarah well and the classic black and white scheme is a tad more wearable than this design’s original version!

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Designer: I believe it’s by Jess Collett
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Thoughts about these British royal hats?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Akiko in a pale grey repeated bucket hat with kettle brim at the National Junior High School Selection Shogi Championship in Yamagata August 3
On Saturday, August 3, Princess Hisako was in Teshikaga for the “Starry Sky Town, Blue Sky Town” National Convention. She wore a very interesting ivory hat with short brim, coral hatband and tall ivory wrap around the crown that fluted into the shape of a flower.
On Sunday, August 4, she attended the closing ceremony of a national Sea Cadet convention in Tokyo. The blue hat she wore is trimmed with a twist in the same printed fabric as her suit, a slim navy twisted hatband and layered, textured leaves in jade, magenta, chocolate, blue and cream. The scale and shape are so great on her and I adore the pop of colour!


On Tuesday, August 6, Queen Elizabeth officially took up summer residence at Balmoral Castle, inspecting the Balaklava Company, 5 Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at the castle gates. She repeated a Rachel Trevor Morgan designed hat first worn last summer– this outing gives a much better view of the silk crepe covered cloche with double hatband (love the punchy contrast of the black hatband) and handmade flowers.
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On Wednesday, August 7, Empress Masako, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Hanako and Princess Nobuko attended the Florence Nightingale Medal Ceremony, which honors nurses. Empress Masako’s white silk covered bowler features a wide hatband of appliqued lace, Crown Princess Kiko’s ecru hat with mushroom brim is covered in the same jacquard floral print as her suit, Princess Hanako’s repeated white straw hat has a cuffed brim in silk crepe that is slightly elevated on one side and Princess Nobuko’s white hat has a crisply contrasting wide navy silk hatband. You can see these hats in motion at this video clip.


On Thursday, August 8, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended the King’s Cup Regatta in Cowes to watch the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in the race. While his parents donned informal baseball hats, Prince George was slightly more commanding in his naval cap.
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On Saturday, August 10th, Princess Tsuguko of Takamado attended the archery finals of the Inter-High School General Sports Championships in Yatsushiro in a striking black and white straw hat.


On Sunday, August 11, members of Queen Elizabeth’s family joined her for Sunday morning service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral in Scotland. The Queen repeated an Angela Kelly designed cream square-crowned cloche with thick hatband in the same pink striped bouclé as her matching suit, trimmed with a pink silk rose. The Duchess of Cornwall repeated a dark mushroom grey formed felt beret trimmed with pheasant feathers. Princess Beatrice of York repeated a cream Gina Foster beret percher trimmed with navy silk flowers and veil.
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Empress Masako in an angular grey silk hat with bumper brim and small bow at the back on Thursday at a WWII commemoration ceremony
Princess Hisako in a pale celery green hat with appliqued lace covered crown and rolled crin brim today to open a new field hockey stadium for next year’s Olympic summer games (notice her field hockey stick necklace!)
Queen Elizabeth attended a craft fair at Crathie Kirk in Scotland today, finally giving us a great view of the turquoise straw hat with double hatband and bows she wore, also in Scotland, back in 2017. Clearly a Rachel Trevor Morgan design, I really like the contrasting stripes on the bow ribbon tails which tie in with Her Majesty’s skirt
1940s inspired hat with deeply pinched black crown and ivory mushroom brim by Australian milliner Carole Maher
Lime sinamay abstract leaf headpiece with ivory bow by Spanish-based British milliner Donna Hartley
Teal button percher with veil, curled quills and multicoloured silk flowers by British milliner Bee Smith
Amazing texture and volume on this ecru silk abaca ruffled bandeau by Australian milliner Rachel Henry
Blush sinamay sidesweep with rose and black feathers and black butterflies by British milliner Bundle MacLaren
Fantastic open-crowned hat covered in red flowers by Irish brand Suzanne Ryan Millinery
Creative take on a classic black and white boater (love the textured brim!) by Australian Brand Monroe Millinery
Tangerine sinamay hat with button base edged in a wide, sleek ruffle by Dutch milliner Myra van de Korput
Raspberry pink straw teardrop beret percher with plume and multicoloured flower by UK brand Miss Ginny Millinery
Teal felt Garbo hat with amazing black embroidered brim by American milliner Behida Dolić
Ivory braided straw vintage Dior-inspired hat with black veil and ribbon by Australian milliner Jill Humphries
Oversize ice blue saucer with irredescent blue and silver floral trim by UK brand Guibert Millinery
Pink pyramid of ombre dyed silk round petals trimmed with an ostrich plume by London milliner Awon Golding
Pale apricot sinamay hat with flying bow and quill by Czech milliner Jolana Kotabova
For our dear gents, a patterned Panama from Christys Hats and deep blue felt fedora from Hornskov København
Wonderful rosette bandeau of sage silk taffeta and blush silk organza by Prudence for Lock & Co. Hatters
And from Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit, this fabulous grape sinamay percher with pink and scarlet twist. Colourful hats can be difficult to balance but this one is perfect, remaining firmly stylish and modern (no cartoonishness here!). It’s also impeccably finished- note the complete absence of visible seams and crisp edges on the two-toned twist.  So fun!

Condolences to the Dutch royal family as they grieve the loss of Princess Christina (Princess Beatrix’s youngest sister) who died yesterday after a battle with bone cancer. Plans are for a private memorial with her cremated remains going to Fagel’s Garden Pavilion on the grounds of Noordeinde Palace. Read a statement and obituary from the Dutch monarchy here. 
Lovely informal shots of the Spanish Royal Family taken while on their annual vacation in Palma de Mallorca.
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Adorable picture of Lady Sarah McCorquodale and her daughter Celia taken during preparations for Celia’s wedding last summer, for which she wore the Spencer family tiara.
Countess Josephine of Rosenborg (daughter of the late Count Christian of Rosenborg) and Kenneth Schmidt were married on August 8
In an interesting move, the Imperial Household Agency released footage of former Princess Noriko’s music and dance performances (she is an accomplished ballerina), taken before she married. They also announced that her younger sister, the former Princess Ayako, and her husband Kei Moriya are expecting their first child.
We end this week with adorable photos of Princess Anne’s four granddaughters Savannah, Isla, Mia and Lena, enjoying the Festival of British Eventing the first weekend of August at their grandmum’s estate, Gatcombe Park
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Photos from social media as indicated

British Royals in New Hats for Christening

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!).

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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

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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.

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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?!

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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.

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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.

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

Photos from Getty as indicated