Tag Archives: Princess Birgitta

Christening of Princess Estelle, Nine Years On: Royal Guests & Extended Family

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t’s no surprise that Princess Estelle’s christening on May 22, 2012 was also attended by numerous royal guests and extended members of the Swedish royal family.

Queen Margrethe wore a navy straw wide-brimmed picture hat. Navy dotted white tulle overlaid the open-weave straw brim and a large flower of white feathers adored the piece on the side. The scale of the piece is such a contrast from the brimless and short-brimmed hats we’re used to seeing on the Danish queen today and while the tulle looks overly fussy to me now, it links the hat well to Margrethe’s dotted ensemble.

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Queen Mathilde (was was Crown Princess at the time, wore a layered calot hat in the same taupe silk chiffon as her skirt. It’s not an terribly exciting hat but anything with more presence likely would have competed with her elaborate beaded jacket and the overall look is certainly festive, however subdued.

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Princess Máxima, who would become queen a year later, stood out in a red suit and Fabienne Delvigne ruched turban. The turban is beautifully draped and pairs well with the modern-vintage vibe of the suit, the vibrant colour giving some much needed pep at an event that, as we’ve seen, saw so many pale and neutral ensembles. Trust Máxima to liven things up.

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Princess Märtha Louise wore a pale straw pink hat with layered raw-edge brim. The jaunty angle provided by the brim’s sidesweeping shape gave it lovely lift and that unfinished edge, echoed on the hat’s wide hatband, contrasted well with the smooth silk of Märtha’s jacket. With diamond chandelier earrings and an ecru and blush striped dress, it was a great look for her.

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As this was Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy’s first major royal event (she and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume would marry five months later), it wasn’t a surprise that she dipped into her future mother-in-law’s closet for a hat. This grey pleated silk abaca headpiece by Fabienne Delvigne requires some millinery courage to pull off and while I wasn’t thrilled about its pairing with this grey bouclé jacket, Stéphanie still wore it well.

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The King’s sisters were all in attendance, Princess Margaretha in a grey pillbox with side bow, Princess Birgitta in a white rose fascinator and Princess Désirée in a red Garbo hat with relaxed brim. Princess Christina wore a disc headpiece in navy straw painted with white Swiss dots, edged in white binding and trimmed with navy and white feathers (see a better view of it at Crown Princess Victoria’s 40th birthday celebration here).

Princess Christina’s daughter-in-laws, Emma Magnussen, Vicky Andren and Frida Bergström were all in attendance. Emma’s navy crin headpiece featured a birdcage-style transparent brim and was studded in slim feathers. Vicky’s taupe straw hat was trimmed in a triple stacked hatband with straw flower and goose feathers on the side.

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Frida Bergström (4th row, far left) wore a loden green pillbox hat swathed in a gold dotted net veil. Also seen in the photo above are Countess Marianne Bernadott (3rd row, far left in front of Frida) in a mint green brimmed hat (see a better view at a later wearing here) and Dagmar von Arbin (4th row, 4th from left) in a purple straw pillbox studded with silk flowers (see a better view at Prince Oscar’s christening here). After the palate of very pale neutrals we saw in the first post, the brighter spring hues seen in the photo above give some welcome vibrancy to this event!

Nearly a decade on, which hats stand out most to you from this event?  To see hats worn by Princess Estelle’s family members and godparents, jump over to this post. 

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Photos from Getty as indicated; SVT and the Swedish Monarchy

Christening of Princess Adrienne: Swedish Extended Royal Family

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We wrap up our look at the hats and headpieces yesterday at the christening of Princess Adrienne with those worn by members of the extended Swedish royal family. While Princess Margaretha and Princess Désirée did not wear hats or headpieces to this event, Princess Birgitta wore a white silk rose tucked behind her right ear. Previously worn for Princess Victoria’s 40th birthday celebrations last summer, the hair decoration coordinated nicely on this outing with Birgitta’s lace dress and pearl earrings.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats   June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

Princess Désirée’s daughter, Hélène Silfverschiöld, topped her navy dress and coat with a pink straw hat with ruched hatband around the rounded crown and downward brim finished with a short, upturned kettle edge.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

Princess Christina wore a folded headpiece in ecru metallic straw, trimmed with quills and a bow at the back. I adore that this youngest Haga princess consistently brings out statement headpieces for these types of Swedish royal events and thought the piece was wonderful on her. The metallic sheen on this piece pairs so beautifully with her pearls and dress- while all the pieces are in similar oyster hues, the mix of textures and sheen brings them together in such an interesting way.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats   June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

Vicky Magnuson topped her pink lace dress with a small cocktail hat with teardrop shaped base, trimmed with straw leaves and crin bows.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

Dagmar von Arbin (granddaughter of Prince Oscar Bernadotte), who turned 102 years old in April and is currently the eldest member of the Swedish royal family, wore a white and yellow plumeria flower trimmed headband. It’s a sweet piece on her.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats  June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

Countess Jill Bernadotte of Wisborg (her husband Count Bertil is a grandson of Prince Oscar Bernadotte through his son Folke), wore a headpiece of layered navy folded crin bows, trimmed with navy rosettes and feathers.

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

And finally, Countess Marianne Bernadotte af Wisborg (widow of the king’s late uncle Sigvard Bernadotte), wore a navy silk JosefineThelin designed navy silk rosette bandeau with a dotted tulle birdcage veil. The bandeau is a lovely, summery pairing for Marianne’s lace dress and jacket

June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats  June 8, 2018 | Royal Hats

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That wraps up all of the hats and headpieces at Princess Adrienne’s christening! We don’t often see so many floral headpieces at a single royal event, a feature that made this one particularly pretty and memorable. I’m curious to hear which headpieces you liked best. 
Photos from Getty as indicated; Stella Pictures, TT

Crown Princess Victoria Turns 40

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Members of the Swedish Royal Family gathered today at the chapel in the Royal Palace in Stockholm for a Te Deum service of thanksgiving in honour of Crown Princess Victoria’s 40th birthday.

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Crown Princess Victoria wore a small headpiece above her chignon in white silk, covered with the same pink lace appliqué butterflies that embellished her dress. The dress is definitely the star here and I understand why a non-competing headpiece was chosen, but I think her white ringed headpiece with roses would have given this ensemble a better sense of occasion that this headpiece- essentially, a decorated barrette.




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Designer: Victoria’s dress is by Pär Engsheden and I suspect the headpiece is as well. 
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new

Princess Estelle’s braided hairstyle was embellished with some of the same pink lace butterflies from her mum’s dress and headpiece. This use of the butterflies, I heartily applaud! Such a sweet touch.

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Queen Silvia repeated her turquoise straw calot hat with silk flower trim. The first time she wore this piece, it was placed over the crown of her head as calots are usually worn but today, she moved the hat forward on the right side of her face, almost as a cocktail hat. Today’s placement allows the swirling cuff of the piece to be visible and this sense of movement lightens the look of the hat- a brilliant move for a summer event such as this.

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Designer: unknown. My guess is Kerstin Carlefalk
Previously Worn: June 1, 2015

Princess Madeleine topped her pale slate blue floral dress with a matching vertical straw saucer hat trimmed with silk roses and straw twists. Madeleine has embraced these vertical sauces in recent years and wears them very well. The scale and colour are particularly lovely on her.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. It looks like a bespoke version of OC 292 from SS 2017.  Dress by Erdem
Previously Worn: this hat is new

Princess Leonore’s hair was clipped back, off her face, with a sweet pair of barrettes trimmed in white silk blossoms.


The biggest millinery surprise of the day appeared with Princess Sophia, who wore the largest hat we’ve seen her wear to date. In black straw, the design features a wide brim and large bow, both edged in pale pink straw. The brim is split on the left side of the piece with one side of the split tucked in behind the bow, giving the piece the most wonderful sense of movement around the back and side. The graphic contrast of the hat works so well with Sophia’s floral dress and while the hat packs a lot of visual punch, Sofia carries it, beautifully.

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Designer: Whiteley 
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Three of King Carl Gustaf’s sisters were also in attendance today, along with Countess Marianne Bernadotte. Princess Christina topped her black floral dress with a white dotted disc hat embellished in black and white feathers. Princess Birgitta wore a small white feathered headpiece while Princess Désirée wore an elegant, Chanel inspired wide brimmed black straw hat with silk hatband and pale pink silk camellia on the side. Countess Marianne repeated a headpiece of cream silk flowers and gold, arrow trimmed feathers.

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Update: Princess Christina’s daughter-in-law, Vicky Andren, shared this photo from the event. She wore a white disc headpiece edged in black, trimmed with a white silk rose and straw bow.

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There were some great hats today in Stockholm, and a few millinery surprises to keep us royal hat fans on our toes. What do you think of the hats worn for Crown Princess Victoria’s celebration today?

 Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

Birthday Celebration Of Swedish King: Extended Family

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It was no surprise that birthday celebrations for King Carl Gustaf this weekend included attendance by members of the extended Swedish Royal Family, many of whom wore hats and headpieces for the daytime events.

Princess Christina topped her blue jacquard suit with a feathered flower fascinator in the same hue. It’s not the most exciting of headpieces (I suppose it does have a festive vibe that fits well with this celebration) although the colour is lovely against her hair.

Princess Christina and Emma Magnuson, April 30, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Christina, April 30, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Christina’s three daughter-in-laws all wore cocktail percher hats. Emma Magnuson (seen above and below) chose a grey straw beret based piece with multiple bow loops and a soaring ribbon tail that coordinated with her grey lace skirt. Frida Bergström (below right) topped her floral dress with a white-rimmed grey saucer hat trimmed in silk roses while Vicky Magnuson (lower photo) wore a pale pink cocktail hat with beret base trimmed with a large bow and net tulle veil. Although the pink hat errs on the saccharine side of the spectrum, I thought it was a light and airy compliment to her navy dress.

Vicky Magnuson and Frida Bergström, April 30, 2016 | Royal Hats

Vicky Magnuson, April 30, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Birgitte, who I can’t remember wearing a hat in a very long time, surprised in this round grey percher design. With sharp white piping and a bedazzled button anchoring two large feather spines, the hat is bold and decidedly modern. I’m not sure grey was the best colour for Princess Birgitte but I’m going to ignore this quibble since she’s actually in a hat.

Princess Brigitte, April 30, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Brigitte and Viky Magnuson, April 30, 2016 Photo taken by Sofia Svanholm | Royal Hats

Princess Birgitte’s daughter, Désirée von Bohlen und Halbach, photographed below with her mother and aunts, wore a pale taupe fascinator of straw and silk bow loops trimmed with feathers.

Princess Désirée von Bohlen und Halbach, Désirée von Bohlen und Halbach, Princess Brigitte and Princess Christina, April 30, 2016 Photo taken by Sofia Svanholm | Royal Hats

The King’s other two sisters, Princess Margaretha and Princess Désirée (seen above in the yellow dress), did not wear hats for this event. His aunt, Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg, attended in a gold brocade suit that she paired with an elaborate fascinator. Made up of large silk blooms and arrow trimmed gold feathers, the piece topped off a wonderfully regal and rather luxurious ensemble.

Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg, April 30, 2016 Photo taken by Sofia Svanholm | Royal Hats
Finally, Maline Sommerlath (wife of Queen Silvia’s nephew Patrick Sommerlath), wore an ecru straw fascinator made up of multiple bows and coordinating feather trim. The amazing pleated yellow and white hat worn by Princess Hisako of Takamado is something we’ll discuss more in the next post as we look at the hats worn by royal guests.
Maline Sommerlath, April 30, 2016 Photo taken by Sofia Svanholm | Royal Hats
While none of the King’s extended family wore pieces as large or dramatic as his wife and daughters, this group includes some lovely pieces. Which ones here stand out to you?
Special thanks to Sofia Svanholm for giving permission to sharing her fantastic photos of this event. I encourage you to peek at her blog and gallery of photos taken this weekend.
Photos from Getty as indicated; TT/Stella, SVT1 Screen shots and Sofia Svanholm 

Swedish Royal Wedding: Extended Swedish Royal Family

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Royal Hats  With many members of the extended Swedish Royal Family in tiaras for the wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist today, a significant part of the Swedish collection of jewels was on display.  Princess Christina wore the Six Button Tiara. It’s a rather clunky piece but Christina’s hair colour and style provided soften the linear base of the tiara and make the buttons seem less disjointed as they usually do. This is one of the rare cases when I think this tiara works better than the rest of what she is wearing.

Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld topped her bright pink caftan gown with the Cut Steel Tiara. The gold frame of this tiara is a great match with Désirée’s warm-hued hair and while this pairing of gown and tiara would not have been my first choice, surprisingly, they worked well together.

Princess Margaretha topped a beautiful grey brocade tunic and jacket with the exquisite Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara. Pairing aquamarines can be tough as the pale stones are easily washed out with too much contrasting colour but this pairing was perfect. What was less than perfect, however, was Princess Brigitte’s ensemble. Her  tiara, the Baden Fringe Tiara, is certainly striking but her choice to wear it with a fur jacket and pink palazzo jumpsuit is absolutely bizarre.

Princess Brigitta’s daughter, Désirée von Bohlen und Halbach, wore the Pearl Circlet Tiara. We seldom see all pearl tiaras and Désirée showed this one off beautifully with the choice of her royal blue gown.

Countess Marianne Bernadotte of Wisborg wore a delicate diamond tiara. The tiara alone is beautiful but I’m afraid that the rest of the ensemble- lace dress, bow cuffs, pearl choker, fur trimmed stole, embroidered purse- was a case of too many beautiful statement pieces at the same time.

Finally, Countess Bettina Bernadotte of Wisborg topped her blue gown and jacket with a small diamond tiara. The tiara, made of of triangular peaks, is a rather spiky one that might have benefited from a softer hairstyle. It is not a piece I have seen before and suspect it does not get out much.

That concludes our look at all the Swedish royal tiaras! Next, we will start looking at the tiaras worn by royal guests.

Photos from Getty as indicated