Swedish Royals Celebrate New Prince

Yesterday morning, a Te Deum mass was held in the Chapel of the Royal Palace in Stockholm to give thanks for the family’s newest member, Prince Gabriel Carl Walther. The Queen led her family in a lovely pink silk floral suit topped with her white pleated straw calot hat with back bow and net tulle veil. It’s not the most exciting of hat but it paired well with Silvia’s suit and made a lovely emotional connection to the new baby- the hat’s last outing was for the Te Deum following Prince Alexander’s birth in 2016. The Swedish royals have a penchant for personal connections with their sartorial choices and this was another sweet touch from this royal grandmother.

Queen Silvia, Sep 4, 2017 in Mode Rosa | Royal Hats Queen Silvia, Sep 4, 2017 in Mode Rosa | Royal Hats

Designer: Mode Rosa
Previously Worn: Apr 24, 2016Jun 6, 2014; Sep 8, 2013May 10, 2013; Apr 16, 2013 
While Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine both skipped hats for this event, Princess Christina trotted out a favourite- her black silk flower headpiece (affectionately known here as “The Helicopter”). The hat is a zany one, no question, but I must admit that it’s pairing with Christina’s bold, striped dress here is the best match we’ve seen so far. It’s also fantastic to see Christina doing so well following her health crisis… she likely deserves a few passes to wear whatever crazy hats she wishes.
Countess Marianne Bernadotte wore my favourite hat o the day, an ecru straw cocktail design with pillbox base trimmed with a large straw and silk bow curl and a swath of net tulle veil. The jaunty angle she wore the hat is the secret to its success here and the pairing of hairstyle, jewellery, hat and suit is wonderful. There’s been ongoing debate here about mature royals and cocktail hats- I think Marianne’s hat proves that this style, when done right, can work beautifully at any age.
Countess Marianne Bernadotte, Sep 4, 2017 | Royal Hats Countess Marianne Bernadotte, Sep 4, 2017 | Royal Hats
We’ll no doubt see more members of the Swedish royal family in hats for Prince Gabriel’s christening but for now, what do you think of this millinery trio?
Photos from Pelle T. Nilsson via Stella Pictures

Crown Princess Victoria Turns 40

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

Swedish Royals Remember Baron Silfverschiöld

Members of the Swedish royal family gathered at Erska Church near Koberg Castle yesterday in to remember the life of Baron Niclas Silfverschiöld, husband of Princess Désirée, who died April 11, 2017 following a brief illness. As is to be expected at such events, the millinery was very simple. Queen Silvia wore a tall black pillbox hat.

 Queen Silvia, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

Queen Silvia, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats  Queen Silvia, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

Crown Princess Victoria repeated her black felt Yves Stain Laurent wide brimmed Garbo hat with fringe-edged bow at the back and wide Petersham ribbon hatband.

Crown Princess Victoria, May 11, 2017 in Yves Saint Laurent | Royal Hats Crown Princess Victoria, May 11, 2017 in Yves Saint Laurent | Royal Hats

Princess Soia wore a black velvet hair band tied trimmed with a knotted bow at the side.

Princess Sofia, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats Princess Sofia, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

Princess Christina wore a large brimmed black hat with wide, ruched fabric hatband gathered in a large black buckle. Princess Désirée and the other Haga princesses did not wear hats.

Princess Christina, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

The Danish and Norwegian royal families were represented by Princess Benedikte and Princess Märtha Louise. Princess Benedikte repeated her black hat with diagonally striped, raised bumper brim.

Princess Benedikte, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

Princess Märtha Louise looked to have borrowed Princess Mette-Marit’s veiled black Jennifer Berh headpiece with slim headband base.

Princess Märtha Louise, May 11, 2017 | Royal Hats

I’m sure you all join me in sending our best wishes to Princess Désirée and her family during this difficult time.

Photos from IBL and Adam Ihse / TT

Christening of Prince Oscar: Extended Swedish Royal Family

With the whole Swedish extended royal family gathering less than a month ago for the King’s 70th birthday, today’s christening of Prince Oscar was an understandably smaller affair. While Princess Birgitta and Princess Désirée did not make another trip to Stockholm, Princess Margaretha popped over from her home in the UK for the event. She wore a dark taupey-grey fascinator of straw bow loops and leaves with coordinating feathers that was an excellent colour match for her printed dress. It’s not the most exciting of headpieces but it worked well for her.

 Princess Margaretha, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Margaretha, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Margaretha, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Christina repeated her infamous black helicopter hat. After being voted our least favourite royal hat of the year three years ago, I hoped not to see this one again. I’m all for creative expression in millinery but this design simply defies good sense.

Princess Christina, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Christina, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Christina, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats  Princess Christina, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: September 15, 2013

Vicky Magnuson, wife of Princess Christina’s oldest son Gustaf, topped her yellow lace suit with a black headpiece. In very light black straw, the large tear-drop shaped piece is trimmed by a black feather pinwheel in front and a black feather spray at the back. I like the sense of movement in this piece provided by the feather trim and the way the wide edging creates a sharp finish and contrasts with the transparent straw. It’s an interesting piece that Vicky wore well but I wished it had been paired with almost anything except this yellow suit.

Vicky Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats Vicky Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Vicky Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Emma Magnuson, who is married to Princess Christina’s middle son Oscar (one of Prince Oscar’s godparents), topped her pale blue lace dress with a matching straw hat. The disk shaped straw hat is trimmed with a large bow which is edged in white stripes. I want to like this piece- Emma looks great in blue- but the stripes on that bow have me seeing only Adidas.

Emma Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats Emma Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Emma Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats   Emma Magnuson, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Frida Bergström, partner of Princess Christina’s youngest son Victor, topped her navy and white ensemble with a taupe straw fascinator of multiple bow loops, straw leaves and feathers. From close view, the neutral headpiece was a good match for Frida’s navy and white ensemble but from a distance her jacket reads much more grey than blue and I’m afraid the ensemble suffered from competing neutrals. I certainly don’t expect more distant royal cousins to keep up with latest millinery styles but I’m so done with this style of straw fascinator and really want to see something different.

Frida Bergström, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats Frida Bergström, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Frida Bergström, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats Frida Bergström, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

One of my favourite ensembles of the day was worn by Countess Jill Bernadotte (wife of Count Bertil Bernadotte af Wisborg). Jill topped her striking taupe and cream silk suit with a calot-based cocktail hat covered in taupe silk that is trimmed lavishly with feathers and net tulle veil. It’s a fun ensemble and I loved how the purple undertones in the hat’s feather trim coordinated with her necklace. Matching feathers to jewels is always a good thing.

Countess Jill Bernadotte, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats Countess Jill Bernadotte, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Countess Marianne Bernadotte also wore a matched hat and suit combination. Made of pale yellow silk covered in ivory lace, her beret-base cocktail hat is trimmed in a large bow. In this case, I much prefer the exquisite coat dress to the hat (which feels overly twee to me) but the use of the same fabric and lace create a very unified ensemble.

Countess Marianne Bernadotte, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Countess Marianne was seated with Mrs. Dagmar von Arbin (granddaughter of Prince Oscar Bernadotte) who just celebrated her 100th birthday and is currently the oldest member of the Swedish extended royal family. Her pillbox hat is covered in pink and purple silk blooms and wrapped with a net tulle veil. It is a perfect spring hat that I thought Dagmar wore, beautifully.

Mrs. Dagmar von Arbin and Countess Marianne Bernadotte, May 27, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 22, 2012

Almost no information was released about these Swedish royal hats, leaving me to guess that most of them were new for this event. There are some beauties here to be sure (and one I wish was retired to its helicopter hangar) so as I draw coverage of this wonderful event to a close, I can only ask which millinery designs today in Sweden were your favourites?

Jump over to this post to see the hats worn by royal guests and this post for those worn by the Swedish royals.

Photos from Getty as indicated; Rex Features; Jonas Ekstromer, Olle Sporung, Maja Suslin, Pontus Lundahl and Anna-Karin Nilsson via TT News Agency

Birthday Celebration Of Swedish King: Extended Family

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