This Week’s Extras

Infanta Elena in a floppy hat last weekend at the Longines Global Champions Tour Equestrian and in a natural straw fedora at the San Isidro Fair, both in Madrid
Princess Michael of Kent last Monday at the Chelsea Flower show in a tan duckbill brimmed cap
On Wednesday, the Earl of Wessex donned his dapper natural straw panama hat to present the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards in the garden of Buckingham Palace. The Duke of Kent also donned a panama hat in Greece, where he traveled to celebrate the 200th anniversary of The Order of St Michael and George
Also on Wednesday, Queen Sonja of Norway opened the Bergen Festival in a cream straw cloche hat
The Thai monarchy released official photos of Queen Suthida- there are lots of military hats and soft focus filters


Princess Hisako attended the ‘Now Africa’ festival today in Yokohama in a great black and white wide-brimmed hat.

Two events with fantastic floral headpieces, both in honour of the Chelsey Flower show. The first is a display in Covent Garden, photographed below by Princess Miriam of Bulgaria. The second is the 4th annual “Flower Walk” outdoor fashion show in Chelsea created by the Catherine Walker brand with astounding floral headpieces topping their dresses.



Here’s what other new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
From Rachel Trevor Morgan, four stunning hats with handmade flowers in red, pink, purple and blush
Romantic mint straw button with lattice brim,  bow and flowers from London-based brand Bea and Evie
Curving pink straw headpiece with handmade peony by Spanish milliner Eugenia Jiménez
Winter white felt raised beret percher with pearl-trimmed bow from Australian brand Hats By Zarbella
Pink lattice-brimmed picture hat with wonderful lace trim from London-based milliner Vivien Sheriff
Trio of stunning black perchers: straw with leather flowers & soaring twists from British milliner Justine Bradley-Hill; sequins with veil & bow from Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit; leather with flowers & leaves from Aussie brand Crazy Teapot
Wide brimmed cream straw hat covered in lemon silk orchids by Scottish milliner William Chambers
Simple but SO pretty! Sky blue straw saucer with cream rose trim from British brand Atelier Millinery
Fantastic digital knitwear design (with British Museum ceiling-like brim) from Dutch milliner Eugenie van Oirschot
Magenta straw statement hat with sharp lines and oversize hydrangea trim by British milliner Amanda Denton
Sleek silver grey brimmed hat with ethereal, smoky flower from British brand Layla Leigh Millinery
The prettiest watermelon pink straw stacked bandeau with floating vine from Scottish milliner Sally-Ann Provan
Cream straw teardrop percher with twists and wonderful lime and cream flowers from Irish-born milliner Philip Treacy (flowers made by Russian artisan Anfisa Korelova)

And from Australian brand Murley and Co., designed by milliner Carla Murley, this spectacular garden of floral trimmed percher hats.

Prince Albert was joined by Prince Jacques, Princess Gabriella and their cousin Kaia Wittstock today at qualifying rounds of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco
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Prince Dushan of Serbia was married to Valerie De Muzio in Topola, Serbia today. Prince Dushan is the son of the late Prince Alexander and his second wife, Princess Barbara of Liechtenstein. Princess Barbara wore a wide brimmed, natural straw hat for the wedding.
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And…. it’s three weeks until Royal Ascot…

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

Have a lovely Sunday- I’ll be back first thing tomorrow for focused coverage and discussion on hats worn for the Romanian national holiday and look at two (one new!) designs worn by Queen Elizabeth over the weekend at the Windsor Horse Show.

On Tuesday, Empress Masako was spotted arriving at the Imperial Palace with the emperor to rehearse their first court ritual which took place on Wednesday. She repeated her unembellished almond bumper hat.
Also on Tuesday, the Duke of York was spotted in uniform as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards (with cap) for the morning’s Changing of the Queen’s Life Guard at Horse Guards riding new Cavalry Black horse ‘Darby’, apparently practicing for the upcoming Trooping the Colour.
On Wednesday, King Carl Gustaf donned his trusty brown fedora for the World Wildlife Fund’s annual meeting, held this year at Huvudskär and Utö in the Stockholm archipelago. The same day, King Harald commemorated Norwegian Armed Forces Day and Liberation Day at Akurshus Fortress, predictably in military uniform with cap.
Infanta Elena donned a neutral straw fedora to watch her daughter, Victoria de Marichalar, open the Seville Fair in a traditional Spanish mantilla with tall peineta comb (see more photos and video here). And 20 years after meeting at this event, the Dutch King and Queen returned this week along with their three daughters… and a quartet of wonderfully vibrant floral headpieces.


On Wednesday, Princess Alexandra visited a life boat station in Shoreham. She repeated her ice blue straw hat with tall crown wrapped in coordinating net tulle, designed by Rachel Trevor Morgan.
Queen Margrethe unveiled a new statue of Denmark’s longest reigning monarch King Christian IV (1577 – 1648) in Copenhagen yesterday. She repeated a hat with ecru straw crown and grey straw double brim for the event.


The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Emerald straw button percher with vibrant ribbon trim and soaring quills by NY milliner Jennifer Hoertz
Pink felt wide brimmed hat with rose gold diamanté hatband from LA based milliner Gladys Tamez
VA VA VOOM red straw percher with the most fantastic curving trim by Australian brand Jill and Jack Millinery
Exquisite curving cream disc with pink handmade blooms and curving quills by Rachel Trevor Morgan
Navy beret percher with hand-beaded bow by Irish milliner Michelle Gleeson
Classic ivory straw picture hat with monochrome leaf printed brim by British milliner Bee Smith
Colourful red and green embroidered lace headpiece from German milliner Nicki Marquardt
Black and white patterned straw pyramid with crin and tassel trim by Italian brand Giulia Mio Millinery

Another interesting article on the Empress of Japan, written by someone with personal connection (The Asahi Shimbun)
King Hamad Of Bahrain and sons Sheikh Nasser and Sheikh Khaled were spotted out for a ride at Windsor Castle in between days spent enjoying the Royal Windsor Horse Show this week
Did you see this delightfully sweet exchange between Queen Elizabeth and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien on Tuesday?

Princess Margriet presented the Duke of Sussex with an adorable gift during his quick visit to The Hague this week to official launch this year’s Invictus Games, to be held in The Netherlands.

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And finally- the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared this sweet photo of ten wee toes today, in honor of Mother’s Day (notice the background forget-me-not flowers, a favourite of the Duke’s late mother)

Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie visited to the army school Haerens Sergentskole in Varde on Tuesday. Joachim graduated from the school 30 years ago and his eldestson, Prince Nicolai (second from the right, below), enrolled in the school earlier this month.


Also on Tuesday, Infanta Elena donned one of her trusty fedoras to attend a bullfight with her father (Getty Images)

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia participated yesterday in an annual car rally on the island of Öland, the king driving is 1946 navy blue Volvo PV60 as he has in years past. For the event, Queen Silvia wore a cream brimmed hat with red trim while the king wore a brown felt trilby. There are some great additional photos at this Belga gallery.

Very interesting radio interview with couture milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan and couture turban designer Donia Allegue Walbaum about their craft, brands, creative perspectives and experiences as milliners of famous clients (BBC)

Philip Treacy shared this archive photo of the Queen of Soul in one of his amazing designs. My sincere thanks to reader Shannon for passing on this great interview with Detroit milliner Luke Song, who shares memories of working with Aretha Franklin and the hats he made for her. I found the story behind the iconic one she wore for President Obama’s inauguration to be particularly fascinating.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:

Very dapper orange, blue and grey plaid newsboy cap from Stetson Europe
Luxurious merlot peachbloom felt fedora with pewter rose hatband detail from Jane Taylor
Natural straw hat with a swooping twist from Munich-based Nicki Marquardt
Love the icy bit of silver trim on this lilac button base percher from Irish milliner Teresa Nugent
Leopard print percher with pheasant feathers from Australian brand Jill and Jack Millinery
Headpiece of pastel foam circles from the creative mind of British milliner Stephen Jones

And from Australian milliner Meg Rafter, a beautiful wide brimmed, cream straw fedora and wide, monochrome Petersham ribbon hatband. Clean, simple, effortless, wearable and so, so chic.

 

 Royal Hats

Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko travelled to the Imperial family’s seaside home in Shimoda this week for a holiday. Several great photos of the family were taken on the beach (see here, here and here) including this great shot that proves even royal teenagers cringe at their dad’s jokes.

Great photo montage shared by the British royal family this week on the occasion of Princess Anne’s birthday

Queen Margrethe was all smiles on Thursday at her French home, Chateau de Caix, where she welcomed journalists for an annual interview and photocall. This home was well known to be Prince Henrik’s escape and a personal favourite of the couple- as such, these photos on the first summer following his passing feel particularly poignant.

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We sign off this week with another breathtaking photograph of nature from the lens of James Ogilvy. Summer weekends are coming to a close- enjoy this one!

This Week’s Extras

Royal Hats

Infanta Elena visited her father in hospital last weekend in one of her go-to fedoras (Hola)

On Wednesday, Princess Kiko presided over the 50th National Convention of Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-Kai (Association for Maternal, Child Health and Welfare) in Tokyo in a cream hat with stacked lime hatband.

Apr 11, 2018 | Royal Hats   Apr 11, 2018 | Royal Hats

Lady Amelia Windsor in a beaded gown and headpiece to walk in the Dolce and Gabanna Alta Moda show at the MET in New York

Wonderful interview (in French) with Fabienne Delvigne about Queen Máxima’s signature hat shapes. There’s an adorable clip at the end of the Dutch queen offering one of her hat pins to Crown Princess Mary on a windy day.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:

 Minimal, modern and striking black felt brimless hat with graphic rose from UK based William Chambers Millinery
Lovely slate blue felt percher with cut leaves and white leather orchids from Latvian brand Rubina Millinery
Sharp finishing  on this textural black cocktail hat with ruffle & glass beads from UK brand Butterfly Hats
Simple but memorable red straw hat with pleated brim from Dutch milliner Eugenie van Oirschot
Very smart black and white finely patterned straw saucer with floral and feather trim from Sally-Ann Provan
Blush pink straw button percher with roses, silk rings and flying beads from UK milliner Justine Bradley Hill
Interesting shape and ombre colour on this straw wide brimmed design from Madrid based Biliana Borissova

And an absolutely stunning Mondrian hat designed, made and modeled by Dutch milliner Marianne Jongkind

 Royal Hats

A new documentary featuring Queen Elizabeth discussing the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy forest conservation project with Sir David Attenborough airs Monday on ITV. This sneak peak is utterly charming.

Photos from Asahi 

October Review: Week 2

A survey of all the hats we saw during the second week this month, October 8 to October 14:

Sunday, October 8: Queen Elizabeth attended Sunday Service at Krathie Kirk in a repeated turquoise straw hat with feather trim. The Duchess of Cornwall was also in attendance in her taupe beret percher with pheasant feather trim.

Oct 8, 2017 | Royal Hats Oct 8, 2017 | Royal Hats

Monday, October 9: Queen Sonja attended the opening of parliament in Oslo in a repeated black felt cloche hat with upturned brim printed with diamond shapes on the underside.

Oct 9, 2017 | Royal Hats Oct 9, 2017 | Royal Hats

Tuesday, October 10: Queen Máxima repeated her natural straw picture hat with upswept vertical ‘slice’ brim for her and the king’s first day of state visit to Portugal.

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Tuesday, October 10: Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko of Akishino attended the closing of the National Sports Festival in Ehime. Princess Kiko wore what looks to be a new hat with wider than usual brim and pleated cafe-au-lait hued hatband.

Oct 10, 2017 | Royal Hats

Wednesday, October 11: Queen Máxima repeated a silk floral headpiece for Day 2 of the Dutch state visit to Portugal.

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Wednesday, October 11: Prince Fumihito, Princess Kiko and Princess Hisako joined the Empeor and Empress for a memorial concert at the Imperial Palace. The princesses wore navy and black brimless hats.

Oct 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

Wednesday, October 11: Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the 15th commendation ceremony of People’s Self-Defense Force Officers in a sharp navy trilby variation with upturned front brim and wide cream hatband. The same day, Crown Princess Masako attended a memorial in Tokyo for victums of industrial accidents. She wore a navy Breton hat.

Oct 11, 2017 | Royal Hats  

Thursday, October 12: Princess Beatrix attended the 250th anniversary celebration of the “Society for the Rescue of People from Drowning” in Amsterdam in a large burgundy straw bumper hat.

Oct 12, 2017 | Royal Hats  Oct 12, 2017 | Royal Hats

Thursday, October 12: Princess Astrid of Belgium joined the Duke of Cambridge for the New Zealand National Commemoration for the Battle of Passchendaele. Her repeated hat in black felt features a flat crown, wide cartwheel brim and slim hatband.

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Thursday, October 12: Infanta Elena donned her trusty straw fedora for a National Day military parade in Madrid

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Thursday, October 12:  Queen Máxima repeated a pale pink striped abacca headpiece with silk flowers for the final day of the Dutch state visit to Portugal

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Thursday, October 12: Princess Alexandra repeated her cream straw hat with domed crown, stacked straw hatbands, tulle veil wrap and feather trim to open a learning and development centre at Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere.

Oct 12, 2017 | Royal Hats Oct 12, 2017 | Royal Hats

Saturday, October 14: Princess Beatrix opened the renovated windmill “Googermolen” in Roelofarendsveen in a gold straw bumper hat.

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I’m curious- do any of these hats warrant, in your estimation, inclusion in our top hats of the month polls?
Photos from Abermedia, Vidar Ruud/NTB Scanpix; SankeiSankei; Sankei; Sankei; Belga