Tag Archives: Lady Jane Fellowes

British Royals in New Hats for Christening

Posted on by

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex christened their son Archie this morning in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Duchess of Sussex opted for an all cream ensemble topped with a new hat. A straw formed beret-base percher, the design is trimmed with a monochrome crin (or silk organza?) ruffle and finely woven veil.

Designer: My guess is Stephen Jones. Dress by Dior.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Cornwall added another ecru hat to her growing collection. A smaller version of this design, also in textural braided straw, the hat features a modified cloche shape with upturned brim. The hat is simply trimmed with a monochrome knotted bow in the same braided straw on one side, which balances the slightly raised brim on the other.

Designer: I believe it is Lock and Co. Dress by Anna Valentine
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Cambridge topped her salmon pink dress with a red straw bandeau headpiece trimmed in a wide braid of silk abaca. Kate has embraced headpieces of this shape and scale over the past year- the colour and braided motif of this one are really lovely on her. I also really like the unexpected red accessories with her pink dress.

Designer: Juliette Botterill bespoke beandeau version of the Pleated Pillbox from SS 2018. Dress by Stella McCartney.
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

My favourite hat of the day is the draped, pleated salmon pink turban worn by Doria Ragland. The design strongly references an African head wrap while brilliantly updating the turban shape in a fresh, modern and very flattering way.Β  The fabric draped hat, which I strongly suspect was designed by Stephen Jones, has such a different sense of volume and fluidity than Doria’s streamlined dress and coat in the same fabric, the pieces compliment without looking overly matched.

Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, elder sisters of the late Princess Diana, were included in the family photograph (a statement in an of itself). Jane wore an almond straw fedora with gently curved brim and black ribbon hatband while Sarah’s modified cloche in cream straw features an ostrich feather wrap and pink piped looping side bow.

What do you think of the hats today at Windsor Castle?

Photos from Getty and social media as indicatedΒ 

Duke & Duchess of Sussex Attend Spencer Family Wedding

Posted on by

Celia McCorquodale, daughter of Sarah (Spencer) and Neil McCorquodale, was married over the weekend to George Woodhouse. Celia topper her lace gown with the beautifully scrolled Spencer family tiara, one undoubtedly familiar to royal watchers. After all the rumour that it was make its first noteable outing on the Duchess of Sussex’s head at her own wedding last month, I was secretly pleased to see it here, at this lower key, family affair.


Sarah McCorquodale topped her blush pink dress and coat with a cream straw upswept saucer hat by Atelier Millinery trimmed withΒ silk blossoms and tulle out the outside, raised brim side of the hat.

Celia’s older sister Emily topped her green and pink coat with a pink straw button base percher hat trimmed with silk roses, straw bow loops and curling quills. The design, also from Atelier Millinery, is the “Gin Fizz”.Β 


Countess Spencer wore a cream straw vertical disc hat backed with multiple cream crin bows. The design is a similar one to the striking purple hat she wore to the Sussex’s wedding last month– no wonder as both are bespoke pieces from Rachel Trevor Morgan.

Lady Kitty Spencer wore a burgundy velvet Philip Treacy bumper base percher hat with handmade flowers and a Gatsby length tulle veil. While the hat has an autumnal feel to me, it paired beautifully with her floral Dolce & Gabanna dress.

Lady Jane Fellowes repeated a simple brown straw hat with wide kettle edged brim, trimmed with a warm caramel brown ruched hatband and cream silk flowers.Β  A neutral hat was a good call for her wonderful dot printed coat, although I’m not sure this one was the best choice.Β  I think the navy hat Jane wore to last month might have made a better pairing.
Finally, the Duchess of Sussex topped her blue and white floral maxi dress with a simple cream straw headpiece. With a flat, round button base, the design features a large bow with curling tails.


We have only seen Meghan in couture millinery pieces so far- pieces with a level of finishing and sophistication that this design simply does not have. While the colour palate of the ensemble is pretty, the scale of the voluminous dress and small hat don’t pair well. I suspect the choice of this rather run-of-the-mill headpiece may be tied to a desire to remain in the background at this event – whatever the reason, it is great to see Meghan experimenting with different millinery shapes and styles. Wasn’t it just a week ago when several commenters here suspected we’d see her only in sleek, unembellished hats for the foreseeable future? I love she’s already proved this prediction wrong!

Designer: Marks & Spencer Collection. It is the Pillbox Bow Fascinator.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Word on the royal beat is that we’ll see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex make an Ascot appearance this week- if they do, I have a hunch we’ll see a new hat on the Duchess.
Photos from social media as indicated;Β Geoff Robinson Photography/REX/Shutterstock