The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg celebrated their country’s national day today with a number of events begining wit an official ceremony and a military parade. The third event of the day, an annual interreligious Te Deum service at the Luxembourg Cathedral, saw the women of the family all wear new hats.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa led her family in a grey straw design with ‘slice’ raised brim. The underside of the raised brim is moulded in a gentle stepped shape, the only embellishment on this very sleek design. With Maria Teresa’s streamlined dress and coat, the hat topped an elegantly restrained ensemble. I very much like the shape of this hat on Maria Teresa as it gives her some height, but I would have liked to see a pop of colour somewhere. Anywhere.
Designer: looks like Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: this hat is new
The Hereditary Grand Duchess followed her mother-in-law’s monochromatic lead in a pale blue lace dress and straw headpiece. The headpiece looks to be made of a similar blended abaca and silk fibre as the famous hat worn by Queen Mathilde at her inauguration as does the shape, with a ruched circlet around the head and pleated fan at the side. The big change here is the use of silver studs which I’m not sure were necessary.
While familiar, this design stands on its own as a beautiful piece that Princess Stèphanie wears well. I particularly like the textural contrast between the striped straw headpiece and the lace of Stèphanie’s Valentino dress. Here is an instance where monochrome pieces work perfectly together.
Designer: unknown. It is not a Fabienne Delvigne design
Previously Worn: this hat is new
We don’t often see the Grand Duchess or Hereditary Grand Duchess wear hats and I think these two hats are among their best. I turn it over to you, dear readers- what do you think of these two new designs?
Jump over to this post to see the remaining hats worn by the Grand Ducal ladies.
Photos from The Catholic Church of Luxembourg
When a noble bride’s extended family contains members of the Brazilian, Belgian and Luxembourgish aristocracy, one can expect many royal guests at the wedding! Such was the case for last weekend’s marriage of Princess Alix de Ligne and Count Guillaume de Dampierre last weekend. As the bride’s father, Prince Michel de Ligne, is a first cousin of Grand Duke Henri, most of the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg were in Belgium for the wedding. My sincere thanks to Valentin Dupont, author of
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