Tag Archives: Flora Ogilvy

Marriage Blessing of Flora Ogilvy and Timothy Vesterberg

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Flora Ogilvy and Timothy Vesterberg were joined by family and friends today at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, for a marriage blessing service.

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Like so many other couples over the past year and a half, Flora and Timothy’s wedding plans last year were derailed by the pandemic; they were married in a small, private ceremony at Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace on September 26, 2021. You might recall, Flora wore an elegantly streamlined Emilia Wickstead dress.

For her gown today, Flora turned to society bridal designer Phillipa Lepley. The result was a gown in ivory silk crepe  overlaid in hand embroidered tulle with V-neckline, hidden corseted waist and softly flowing skirt with sweep train. The classic silhouette is made wonderfully light and romantic with the exquisitely hand embroidered tulle, shown to such effect on the dress’ neckline and sleeves. There’s an ethereal elegance to this bridal look that is so very beautiful.

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The hand embroidered, delicate floral motif on the gown and silk tulle veil were inspired by the Ogilvy pearl and diamond tiara on loan from Flora’s grandmother, Princess Alexandra. What a pairing these elements make in combination, the floral patterns of the tiara and airy dress singing in such harmony and the tiara’s scale elevating the whole look. And for a royal bride named Flora…. well, a floral tiara is always the right choice and when the tiara inspires the gown, well, that’s magic.

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Flora was attended by her cousin, Lady Marina Windsor, who topped a lilac silk dress with matching saucer hat.

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A trio of young bridesmaids, Maud and Isabella Windsor (daughters of Lord and Lady Frederick) and Victoria Litchfield, wore headbands of fresh white flowers.

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Julia Ogilvy paired a beautiful pink and white screen printed etched satin and gorgette dress with a white button based hat trimmed with a large silk rose and organdie bow. Timothy’s mother wore a pale beige sinamay brimmed hat with bow and net veil.

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Designer: unknown. Dress by Beulah London
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Alexandra repeated her pale pink straw picture hat with silk multi-looped bows and masses of small, trimmed feathers. The brim on this hat has a lovely, subtle sidesweep on one side, giving the most wonderfully elegant line to the brim. It’s such a lovely ensemble on Alexandra, the pattern of the skirt and the texture of the jacket giving just enough contrast to keep the overall look from being one-note

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: June 18, 2019; May 20, 2018

What do you think of the hats (and tiara!) we’ve seen at this event so far?

See hats worn by other British royal family members here. 

Images from Getty as indicated  

This Week’s Extras

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Back on June 30, Queen Margrethe repeated her orange straw hat with navy hatband to officially open the new Hans Christian Andersen House in Odense.
Flora Vesterberg (née Ogilvy) graduated with a Masters Degree in the History of Art from The Courtauld Institute of Art
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Unbearably chic lilac straw trilby with layered hatband by British milliner Louise Pocock
Red triangular percher with stunning silk roses by UK-based Italian milliner Guilia Mio
Fantastic texture on this wide brimmed ruffled straw hat by American milliner Anna de Pasquale
“Hang on to your hat!” whimsical and very creative design by Dutch milliner Marianne Jongkind
Amazing hourglass hat of hand rolled, ombré dyed cotton organdie by British milliner Dillon Wallwork
Ivory felt angular fedora with stunning black applique lace and sequin trim by Russian milliner Anna Andrienko

Pink headpiece with maribou, coque, pheasant and nagoir feather explosions by British milliner Ian Bennett
Black Kokoshnik headpiece with exquisite floral silhouette cutout trim by Australian milliner Belinda Osborne
Dusky pink velvet top hat with wonderfully curved brim by British milliner Justin Smith
Slate blue felt pillbox with unexpected lime ombre dyed feathers by Aussie brand Brea Melissa Millinery
Black pillbox with vine of blush anemone blossoms by British brand The Harrogate Hatter
The most charming headpiece of floating crin balloons by Australian milliner Enza Geddes

 

Lovely summer family portrait shared by Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia

Sweet photos taken over the past few weeks as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie have visited numerous care facilities, often with Prince Charles in tow

Images from social media as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended a memorial service yesterday marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Empress repeated a streamlined grey bumper hat.
Flora Ogilvy and her fiance Timothy Versterberg in charming sun hats on vacation in Greece
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Pale pink sauce with lattice crown detail and floral trim by British milliner Lucy Bowler
Chic brimmed straw hat in warm shades of wheat and tan by Dutch milliner Myra van de Korput
Classic and charming blue chambray newsboy cap by Italian brand Borsaolino
Shallow palest grey straw pillbox with orbiting butterflies by British milliner Carrie Jenkinson
Interesting take on a black and natural look in this straw sun hat by Scottish milliner Sally Ann Provan
Green straw halo headpiece with silk flower and butterflies by British milliner Bundle MacLaren

Adore the printed silk hatband on this ivory parabuntal straw trilby by British brand John Boyd Hats 
Black straw disc with lace and red feathers by French milliner Sylvia Martinez
White and navy paglina straw crushable fedoras by American milliner Jill Courtemanche
The sweetest handpainted straw wee bonnet by Spanish artist Lidya Diaz
Blue straw floral printed pyramid with crin overlay by London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
Charming straw boater with raised brim around the back, navy hatband and side bow by British milliner Jane Taylor

Lovely new portraits of Princess Anne to celebrate her 70th birthday along with a sweet gallery shared by her elder brother
The Danish monarchy shared this photo of Prince Frederik visiting Prince Joachim, who is continuing to recover in France
Arthur Chatto and teammates successfully completed their 2000 mile row around Great Britain this morning, becoming the youngest team to successfully do so. They were greeted back in London by Arthur’s family and celebrated this achievement by jumping into the Thames River. 
Wonderful conversations between Princess Anne and WWII veterans gathered and shared for the 75th anniversary of VJ (Victory in Japan) Day.

Photos from social media as indicated

Trooping The Colour: Gloucester & Kent Families

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We conclude our look at the hats seen Saturday for Trooping the Colour with those worn by members of the Gloucester and Kent families. With extremely limited photos (my sincere thanks to Paul Ratcliffe for again, providing the only available photos of these family members) to share, I’m going to try and avoid confusion (or excessive scrolling for photos) by reducing commentary to a minimum. Please click on the following galleries twice to open up larger size photos:

Gallery 1:

 

The Duchess of Gloucester: steel blue straw veiled pillbox
Previously Worn: May 29, 2019; May 23, 2019;  May 31, 2018

Lady Rose Gilman: muted slate blue straw beret with knotted straw sash
Previously Worn:  Jun 10, 2016 Previously worn by the Duchess of Gloucester: Nov 21, 2012; Jun 2, 2012

Lyla Gilman (Lady Rose’s young daughter, far right below): pink polka dotted bandeau

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Gallery 2:

 

Princess Michael of Kent: rounded, white fabric covered pillbox
Designer: I believe it is John Boyd 
Previously Worn: May 29, 2019, June 12, 2016; June 2, 2016; June 15, 2013; June 11, 2011; June 20, 2008

Countess of St. Andrews: white braided straw hat with turned down brim, trimmed with a tan jinsin fan around the top of the crown and knotted bow below the brim 
Designer: Celine Robert. It is the “Tuxia” design from SS 2016
Previously Worn: June 11, 2016

 

Gallery 3:

 

Lady Helen Taylor: black straw beret percher with navy veil and triangle tufts of purple and royal blue crin
Previously Worn: May 18, 2019

Estella Taylor: tan fabric bow bandeau
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

Lady Frederick Windsor: pale blue sinamay dramatic sidesweep covered in feather flowers
Designer: Catherine Walker Millinery. I believe it is the “Trevi” hat.
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

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Lady Gabriella Kingston: blush sinamay hat with angled crown and sharply sideswept brim with jinsin hatband and twists
Designer: Philip Treacy. It is OC 591 from SS 2019. Coral coat dress by Claire Mischevani
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

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Flora Ogilvy: ecru straw disc percher with a multi-looped bow and silk rose on the side
Previously Worn: May 18, 2019


Zenouska Mowatt : vibrant magenta silk bandeau with folded bow (love this with her blue lace dress and aqua shoes!)
Designer: Laura Cathcart Millinery. It is the “Arizona in fuchsia“. Carolina Herrera dress.

Previously Worn: This hat is new

Trooping the Colour is always a highlight in our royal hat watching calendar and this year’s celebration, which saw 28 hats, did not disappoint. We’ve seen some stellar hats (including a handful from designers we’ve not previously seen on royal hats) which makes me all the more excited for the Garter service and Royal Ascot next week. 
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Photos from Getty and social media (thanks to Paul Ratcliffe!) as indicated

Kent Wedding at Windsor: Kent Family

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Today’s wedding at Windsor Castle of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston was clearly a family affair, with numerous members of Ella’s Kent family in attendance. Her mother, Princess Michael of Kent, topped her lilac ensemble with her repeated bumper hat covered in pearlescent light grey silk.  The hat, which until this outing appeared to be a pillbox, is dramatically trimmed with a streaming ostrich feather plume around the back.

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It’s a signature look for Marie-Christine and while I was a little surprised not to see her in a new hat today, this pale grey design coordinates well with her grey and lilac patterned jacket. And organza scarves. And multiple strands of beads. And brooch. It’s not a minimalist look, this one.

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Designer: John Boyd
Previously Worn: October 12, 2018; June 13, 2015;  Oct 18, 2014; Jun 16, 2014

Lady Frederick Windsor paired her pale blue feather trimmed coat with a cream wide brimmed saucer hat adorned in pale blue dotted tulle, silk crepe bow loops and more feathers.

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Catherine Walker, the brand that designed the hat and coat, has recently ventured into the millinery world and I think some inexperience is visible here. The execution of the bow loops is a bit lumpy and lacks crisply turned corners and there are visible ripples in the silk covering the underside of the hat. While I really like the scale of this hat on Sophie, I’d like to see feathers on either the coat or the hat- but not both.

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Designer: both hat and coat are the “Bliss” designs by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Lady Gabriella’s aunt, Princess Alexandra wore a new straw hat in beautiful teal straw, trimmed with burnt feathers anchored at the front with a jeweled button and slim bow. The Countess of St. Andrews (daughter-in-law of the Duke and Duchess of Kent) topped her pink suit with a wide brimmed straw hat in pale blue-grey with pleated crin in the same colour folded around the hat’s brim. The design is completed with pink sinamay ribbon loosely wound around the hat that finishes in a looping bow at the front, studded with two pink quills. I wish better views of Sylvanna’s hat were visible because it looks like a beaty.

Sylvanna’s elder daughter, Lady Marina Windsor, wore a wide folded disc hat in red straw. The hat is a brave one in terms of scale and simplicity but paired well with Marina’s floral dress. We’ve talked about finishing issues from this milliner several times recently and if you look at the lumpy brim edge, they’re present again. Disappointing.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Lady Amelia Windsor topped her puple daisy printed frock with a cream buntal straw teardrop percher, trimmed with a knotted buntal flying bow. The hat has beautiful balance and movement and it’s fantastic… but I think it could do much better paired with something other than this dress.

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Designer: Philip Treacy OC 470 from SS 2018. Dress by Gül Hürgel
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Lady Helen Taylor wore a black straw beret percher trimmed with swathed navy veil and triangle tufts of puple and royal blue crin. A sparkling crescent hatpin completed the millinery look.

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Designer: Likely Stephen Jones. Dress by Amanda Wakely
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Helen’s younger daughter, Estella Taylor, was an attendant (or assistant), helping wrangle the young bridesmaids. She wore a black and white headpiece that looks to be made of silk flowers and straw leaves. As far as youthful headpieces go, this one is great.

 

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Julia Ogilvy topped her pink, blue and green lace dress with a pink straw button percher trimmed in a mass of circular pink ruffles. It’s a lighthearted hat that tops a very pastel ensemble but it’s great fun.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 13, 2015;  June 5, 2012

Flora Ogilvy wore an ecru straw disc percher trimmed with a multi-looped bow and silk rose on the side. A great hat on its own, this piece was elevated with its pairing today with Flora’s orchid purple dress. Such a great look for her.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: 

Zenouska Mowatt paired her red lace dress with a red straw vertical saucer hat, trimmed with wide ruffles of layered red and peach crin. The scale is fantastic on her and the playful crin ruffles add such life to the hat (as do her bright yellow accessories!).

Designer: bespoke Jane Taylor. Dress by Mary Katrantzou
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The royal Kent relations can usually be counted on for some memorable millinery looks and today was no different. Which hats stand out here most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated; Pool, Victoria Jones and Chris Jackson via Getty; Tim Rooke/Shutterstock; Stephen Lock/i Images;Stephen Lock/i Images;