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.
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!
Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: 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
The Duchess of Cambridge repeated a navy saucer shaped percher hat with large center knot felt flower on the back.
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.
Princess Anne wore a hat that, I think, is a new design, likely from Amy Morris-Adams. 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 hat’s shape, which looks like a bandeau from front view, suits Sarah well and the classic black and white scheme is a tad more wearable than this similar design!
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Designer: Jess Collett
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Thoughts about these British royal hats?
Photos from Getty as indicated