As in years past, members of the British royal family spent Christmas at Sandringham and attended a morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church.
The annual walk to church was led by King Charles and the Queen Consort with Queen Camilla in a striking new hat. Covered in the same denim blue wool as her coat, the beret shape is wonderfully trimmed with a halo stripe of ostrich feathers.
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Camilla has added several beret hats to her wardrobe this fall and all have been excellent. The colour of this design is magnificent on her and the feather trim a great counterpoint to her streamlined coat. What’s not to love about a halo of ostrich feathers?!
Designer: Philip Treacy. Cashmere coat and dress by Anna Valentine.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
The Princess of Wales was also in a new hat, a wide brimmed fedora in the most luxurious loden green felt. The design is trimmed with a braid embellished hatband, flat folded bow and tall pheasant feather.
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The look is so chic on Kate, the fedora’s extended brim and beautiful trim elevating its presence, formality and elegance. Coordinating the shades of green on the coat and hat’s trim is a masterful styling move that pulls the overall look together. It’s just so good.
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Designer: Philip Treacy. Coat by Alexander McQueen
Previously Worn: This hat is new.
Princess Beatrice wore a bottle green dyed felt teardrop percher with silk rose and curved pheasant feather. The colour and scale are lovely on her, although the colour disparity between coat and hat made them an unsuccessful pairing for me.
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Designer: Somerset Millinery “Jane” design. Coat by Shrimps.
Previously Worn: This hat is new.
Princess Eugenie wore a headpiece described by its milliner as a “cream designer headpiece in stunning hand-smocked silk.” The detail on this design is lovely, although its colour and fabric at closer view feel more suited to summer than winter.
Designer: Emily London “Cressida” design. Coat by Weekend Max Mara.
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new.
The Countess of Wessex topped a wide collar cashmere coat with a wide brimmed hat in similarly hued felt. The design features a pork pie crown and the brim has a subtle turn-up around the back. The hat is trimmed with two overlapping stripes of ribbon on one side over which is the milliner’s logo (a little too large and prominently placed, in my opinion, to not look like an obvious advertisement). As for the overall look… to quote a much loved and repeated comment here on Royal Hats, “it’s a whole lot of biscuit.”
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Designer: Jane Taylor. Coat by Joseph
Previously Worn: This hat is new.
Lady Louise Windsor wore a navy felt trilby trimmed with a wonderful pair of silk bows on one side. The scale and youthful trim is lovely on her.
Designer: Jane Taylor “Midnight Trilby with Bows” design. Roland Mouret coat and Ralph Lauren dress.
Previously Worn: This hat is new.
Zara Tindall topped a black and white herringbone coat with a burgundy felt percher hat trimmed with silk flowers and cut-out felt leaves. It’s a great look for Zara, the burgundy accessories adding a great punch of colour to the ensemble. I adore how Mia and Lena’s jewel-toned headbands coordinated with their mum’s look. So sweet.
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Designer: Juliette Botterill. Coat by LK Bennett.
Previously Worn: This hat is new.
Lady Sarah Chatto repeated a deep navy cloche with extended brim in textured poly straw. It’s a versatile piece that has stood the test of time for Sarah.
Designer: unknown. My guess is Stephen Jones.
Previously Worn: Dec 24, 2017; Dec 25, 2015; Dec 25, 2013; Mar 23, 2008; Dec 25, 2001; Dec 25, 2000 (I believe there is also a black version of this hat worn Jan 5, 2005; Apr 19, 2002; Feb 15, 2002)
There are some lovely jewel toned designs that made their debut this Christmas. Which ones stand out to you?
Images from Getty as indicated
Lady Sarah Chatto attended the races again today in her wide brimmed natural straw hat. No one does classic shapes better than Sarah! She is pictured arriving at Ascot Racecourse today with her husband, Viscount and Viscountess Brookeborough.
