Tag Archives: Duchess of Sussex

Mourning Millinery

Posted on by

Numerous hats have been worn over the past 11 days of mourning since Queen Elizabeth’s passing:

September 10: Princess Beatrice in an embellished headband to admire flowers and tributes left outside Balmoral Castle.

Embed from Getty Images

September 11:  Princess Anne wore a repeated black beret with net veil overlay and feather trim by Amy Morris-Adams for the arrival of the Queen’s coffin at Holyrood House in Edinburgh from Balmoral

Embed from Getty Images

September 12: The King, The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and the Earl of Wessex were in military uniform for the procession of The Queen’s coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse along the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral.

Embed from Getty Images

They were joined by Queen Camilla and the Countess of Wessex.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Queen Camilla: Repeated black straw hat with feather wrap by Philip Treacy
Countess of Wessex: Repeated black felt button percher with draped silk abacca bow by Jane Taylor. 

September 13: Princess Anne attended a prayer service at  St Giles Church and accompanied her mother’s coffin from Scotland to RAF Northolt.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Princess Anne: Repeated silk covered pillbox with ruffled bow at the back 

Queen Camilla accompanied the King on a visit to Northern Ireland.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Queen Camilla: Repeated straw brimmed hat with side bow by Lock & Co. 

September 14: King Charles, The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex, the Duke of Gloucester  and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence wore military uniform to follow the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. They were joined by the Duke of Sussex, Earl of Snowdon, Peter Philips, Duke of York and members of Queen Elizabeth’s staff.

Embed from Getty Images

At the Palace of Westminster, the group was joined by the British royal family.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

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

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Queen Camilla: New black straw hat with wrapped hatband by Philip Treacy
Princess of Wales: New Black Pillbox Halo in Crepe by Jane Taylor
Duchess of Sussex: New Black Veiled Beret Fascinator with ribbon trim by Stephen Jones
Princess Beatrice: New Waterfall Bow Band by Justine Bradley-Hill
Princess Eugenie: New ‘Galilea’ Headpiece in Black by Emily London
Countess of Wessex: New ‘Aphrodite’ Headpiece in Black Crepe by Jane Taylor
Lady Louise Windsor: New Felt Beret with Quill in Black by Whitely
Zara Tindall: New bespoke by Juliette Botterill

September 16: King Charles, The Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex and the Duke of York stood vigil at their mother’s coffin in the Palace of Westminster.

Embed from Getty Images

They were joined by members of the Royal family, the York Princesses, Duchess of Gloucester, Lady Rose Gilman, Princess Alexandra, the Countess of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and her daughters, Lady Frederick Windsor, and the Tindall and Philips families in hats/headpieces.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Queen Camilla repeated her new black straw hat with wrapped hatband on a visit to Wales with the King.

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

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited to Army Training Centre Pirbright in Guilford.

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

Princess of Wales: Repeated black felt saucer with raised brim and curled trim by Lock & Co.

September 17: The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, James, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall stand vigil at their grandmother’s coffin in the Palace of Westminster.

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

Princess Beatrice: Repeated Waterfall Bow Band by Justine Bradley-Hill
Zara Tindall: New ‘Darcey’ Black Velvet Veiled Headband (without the embellishments) by Bee Smith

Empress Masako wore bumper hats departing for and arriving in London

Embed from Getty Images

September 18: Queen Silvia of Sweden and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal at the Palace of Westminster.

 

Images from Getty and social media as indicated  

Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving Part 1

Posted on by

The British Royal Family attended a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen ‘s Platinum Jubilee today at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Embed from Getty Images

Sadly, the Queen was not well enough to attend the event. The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her ecru straw hat with angular crown and wide, sidesweeping brim. The hat is trimmed with a finely pleated cream and the most delicate lace applique cutout flowers

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

 The juxtaposition of the hat’s angular crown with those exquisite lace flowers has always given this design such interest and its pairing today with Camilla’s ecru silk coat with detailed platinum embroidery works oh so well. Of course, the colour does not make a statement like other hats we’ll see today but it’s a beautifully layered ensemble.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: Jun 8, 2019; June 20, 2018; May 22, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pale yellow straw saucer hat trimmed with large silk roses and jinsin twists.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

It’s a great design, the sleek and very smooth lines of the top of the hat contrasting so well with the trim beneath its raised side. The hat and dress also pair beautifully (brilliant move making the hat a shade lighter than the dress), although I think in this case, I’d have preferred Kate’s hair partially down to give a little contrast to the overall look.

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

Designer: OC 908 from Philip Treacy SS 2022. Emilia Wickstead dress. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

Duchess of Sussex wore a pale grey hat with curved brim and shallow crown. The hat looks to be made of crin braid which is also used for a slim hatband that ties in a side bow

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The hat falls a bit flat for me but leaves Meghan’s beautifully tailored coat the clear star of the ensemble.

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

Designer: Stephen Jones. Coat by Dior
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Beatrice wore a hat described by the designer as a “striking silk percher hat. Silk covered base, adorned with a double silk bow.”

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The periwinkle shade is glorious on Beatrice, as is the hat’s pairing with her dress in a slightly more denim shade of blue. The hat’s lines show off the sheen of the silk and the stitching on those bows sets them off so well. It’s such a great hat for Beatrice. Bravo!

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Silk Bow Percher by Juliette Botterill. Dress by Beulah London.  
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Eugenie topped a vibrant orange dress with a black sinamay button percher trimmed with a sculptural twisted bow that splays over the design.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The pairing of orange dress and black accessories is a bold and brave one that Eugenie carries off well. It’s a modern look emphasized by the unique bow on the hat.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: bespoke Ophelia Pillbox by Emily London. Dress by Emilia Wickstead. 
Previously Worn: 

I think we’re off to a great start- what do you think of this first group of hats today in London?

Images from Getty as indicated  

Platinum Jubilee: Trooping the Colour Part 3

Posted on by

In addition to the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, the Queen was joined on the balcony of Buckingham Palace today by other working members of the Royal Family.

The Earl of Wessex wore the full ceremonial uniform of his role of Colonel of The London Guards, along with his Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals. The Countess of Wessex wore a new pink and ivory hat described by the designer as “a bespoke hand dyed, two tone style disc, trimmed with bows.”

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The saucer shape suits Sophie well and the transparent base of pink windowpane sinamay gives a lovely lightness to the design. It’s the bows that don’t work for me. I think they might be too haphazard on the otherwise streamlined design.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Jane Taylor bespoke design. Coat dress by Suzannah London.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Lady Louise Windsor wore a hat from her mother’s closet that Sophie wore to Trooping the Colour in 2009 (the fist year that Louise also appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony!). The natural straw cloche follows angular lines with a sloped crown and extended brim on one side and is trimmed with a blush sinamay upside-down bow with twisting tails.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

It’s a great hat for Louise, the modern shape and whimsically youthful trim feeling as contemporary as it did over a decade ago. I’m a fan of hats sharing hats between wearers and this was a lovely surprise today.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy. Reiss floral dress.
Previously Worn by the Countess of Wessex: June 13, 2009; April 23, 2006

Princess Alexandra repeated her teal felt picture hat. The design is trimmed with a wide hatband and purple and teal burnt feathers anchored with a jeweled multi-loop bow. I adore the unexpected addition of purple feathers to the trim, which give such lift and just enough contrast.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Likely Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: May 18, 2019

The Duchess of Gloucester wore a new hat! Yes, it is another navy straw beret but the shape is slightly different than her other navy straw beret, and this design is overlaid in a navy net veil which gives it a slight variation in texture. She embellished the hat further with a rock crystal brooch on the side. The Duke repeated his black silk top hat.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

A number of other members of the royal family were spectators at this event and were snapped or shared photos in hats.

Princess Beatrice looks to have repeated her “Quilted Pearly Headband” from Zara, adding the brand’s “Pearl Bead Headband” in front for added oomph. If so, it works!

Designer: Possibly Zara. Vampire’s Wife dress.
Previously Worn: January 2020

Princess Eugenie wore a beige felt beret with large monochrome leaf trim. Her young son August wore a tan cotton visored cap.

Designer: John Boyd bespoke version of the “Pink Leaf Beret” Self Portrait dress.
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a white sinamay hat with wide oval brim and shallow crown with a wide navy grosgrain ribbon hatband and large multi-looped side bow with fringed ends. The shape is unique but it looks to suit Meghan very well.

Designer: Stephen Jones “Granville Hat” Dress by Roland Mouret.
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

Zara Tindall wore a red sinamay beret percher trimmed with silk flowers and a sculpted silk abaca bow.

Designer: Juliette Botterill “Floral Blossom Percher. Dress by Beulah London. Styled by Annie Miall. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new.

Mia Tindall wore a read headband trimmed with flowers

Embed from Getty Images

Lena Tindall wore a pink headband with sweet bow. Savannah Phillips wore a ruched pink headband.

Princess Michael of Kent repeated her oversize white pillbox

I’ve only spotted one royal guest in attendance so far- Her Majesty Margareta of Romania in a navy sinamay hat with mushroom brim, shallow crown and patterned hatband.

Designer: Kristina Dragomir.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new.

This wraps up Trooping the Colour today!

Embed from Getty Images

Images from Getty as indicated  

This Week’s Extras

Posted on by

Last weekend, the Duchess of Sussex wore a wide brimmed hat to a polo match. I believe the design, with crin brim, was a ready-to-wear mass produced piece.
Princess Beatrice wore a black hairbow Monday at the Chelsea Flower Show and Princess Michael of Kent wore a chic tan leather newsboy cap to the same event.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Queen Sonja repeated her taupe leather pillbox Thursday at the opening of the Bergen Festival.
The Duke of Cambridge was spotted yesterday rehearsing for next Thursday’s Trooping the Colour. This year, it will be the Irish Guards Trooping their Colour and Prince William is the regiment’s Colonel.
Embed from Getty Images
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week (see the comments for more):


Such a lovely snap shared by Princess Charlene to mark Princess Gabriella’s first official event. Mother and daughter both wore gowns by Terrence Bray.
The Swedish King and Queen at the launch of the ABBA Voyage concert in London. How fun is Queen Silvia’s suit?!

Images from social media as indicated 

Commonwealth Day Service 2020

Posted on by

Queen Elizabeth was joined by members of her family yesterday morning at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Day Service.

Embed from Getty Images

For this event, the Queen repeated her blue felt hat with stepped crown and upswept brim trimmed with a multi-looped felt bow and spray of blue and copper feathers. Yesterday’s photos provide a closer look at the detail on this piece than we’ve seen before- the looped bow is beautifully piped in the same woven grey fabric as is on the upper side of the brim and the width of top stitching on the matching coat’s collar is exactly the same as the width of the brim binding. Such details seem minor but add significantly to the overall look a hat. Now, if only we could peek at this ensemble’s silk dress and see how those copper feathers fit into the overall picture!

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan. Coat by Stewart Parvin.
Previously Worn: Oct 20, 2018; Nov 16, 2017

The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her  navy brushed felt hat with off-center peaked crown, wide brim with gently sweeping upturn on one side and dramatic navy ostrich feather wrapped around the crown. The hat has a decidedly painterly quality to it, thanks to the deep hue of the felt and its sumptuous feather trim. It pairs so well with Camilla’s navy silk coat, the coat’s lace trimmed bottom half balancing beautifully with the hat’s equally luxurious texture.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy. Coat by Bruce Oldfield
Previously Worn: Dec 11, 2019

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a new saucer hat in scarlet peachbloom felt. The hat is trimmed with a circle of piping around the crown and leaves in a deep oxblood/aubergine felt and a trio of scarlet silk camellia flowers above and on the underside of the raised brim.

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

Head to toe looks in a single colour can easily look one-note but the mix of textures and shades of red give enough contrast to make this look work. The hat plays particularly well with the coat’s velvet accents, the oxblood trim fitting surprisingly well with the darker velvet shadows and the hat’s trim hitting just the right balance, neither too stark nor too cluttered, against the traditional lines of the coat. The saturated colour makes this a strong look for Kate, again, that is balanced by the hat’s smaller scale. There’s so much here that just works.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Sally Ann Provan. It is the Sada design from AW 2019. Coat by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Sussex wore a new hat for this, her final official royal engagement. A felt beret percher in the same emerald green as her dress, the hat’s dramatic statement comes from it’s net veil trim, wrapped in two linear stripes around the round base and tied on the side in an exuberant bow.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Throughout her royal life, Meghan has worn hats only in neutral shades- ivory, blush, olive, navy, brown and black. This design is the first one in a vibrant colour… I won’t read into the symbolism of this beyond saying how fantastic it is. The use of square dotted net veil as the hat’s only trim is a bold one that gives such wonderful texture and movement to the design. High necked frocks such as this can be tough to style with a hat and this percher hits just the right balance and proportion. While I wish the Sussexes much happiness in the life they are creating for themselves, I can’t help but mourn the fashion moments we’ll miss with them outside the royal realm.

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

Designer: William Chambers. It is a bespoke version of the Veiled Teardrop Explosion from SS 2020. Dress by Emilia Wickstead.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Countess of Wessex also wore a new pillbox hat in navy felt. With a slightly domed crown, the design is completed with a generous wrap of navy dotted net veil.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

While navy and cream is a classic combination, this ensemble is decidedly more sleek and modern. This pillbox’s veil trim gives it an air of effortlessness that pairs wonderfully with the sleek lines of Sophie’s dress and again, the hat’s scale works wonderfully with the high neck on the dress. It’s an ensemble that works better together than its components do on their own and I love how the classic pieces are interpreted in a way that is so modern and fresh. Sophie has several dark blue pillbox hats in her wardrobe but I think this addition might be my favourite.

Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Jane Taylor. Dress by Suzannah
Previously Worn: This hat is new

This event always brings us several hats and after several weeks where royal hat sightings have been sparse, this group is particularly welcome. What do you think of these hats in London yesterday?

Photos from Getty as indicated