Tag Archives: Princess Delphine

Belgian National Day 2023

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The Belgian royal family celebrated their nation’s holiday last Friday with a Te Deum mass at The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral followed by a military parade.

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Queen Mathilde wore a tomato red sinamay hat with slightly arched brim, simply trimmed with a hatband and folded bow at the back.

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My issue with this hat is it’s wobbly brim, which would look so much more refined if it had been pressed smooth during blocking.

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Designer: “Vinity” design by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Queen Paola wore a black felt pillbox that flares out to a square shape around the top of the crown. It’s one of the most uniquely shaped pillboxes I’ve ever seen; I think it works best from front view, where it forms an angular, peaked halo shape around her face. I’m less keen from the side view. It’s innovative, certainly, but flattering? I’m not sure.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Crown Princess Elisabeth wore a natural-hued hat with wide brim in the loveliest woven Panama straw.

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Designer: “Desert Wind” by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Natan. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

As in years past, Princess Astrid wore military uniform and cap with jaunty upturned brim

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Princess Claire wore a large design in salmon pink straw braid with cartwheel brim and unique, unblocked crown. The design is trimmed with a wide hatband in the same colour.

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The colour is lovely on Claire, as is the scale of the brim (she carries a wide statement brim so well!). The slouchy, unblocked top of the crown is another millinery innovation we don’t often see. While it’s an interesting counterpoint to the streamlined brim and wonderfully unexpected, I’m not sure it works from all angles. Maybe with a more streamlined ensemble it would work better?

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Princess Delphine balanced her colourful dress (with floral print she designed) with a white sinamay hat. The design features an indented crown, downturned brim and is trimmed with a wide white hatband and one of the same turquoise sequin hearts as is on her dress.

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Designer: Josje Huisman (Cornelia brand). Dress by Atelier ExC by Ebru Sari.
Previously Worn: This hat is new

There are numerous standout hats here, some more for their creativity (which I LOVE to see!). Which designs inspired the greatest reaction for you?!

Images from Getty as indicated 

Belgian Royal Wedding: Family Members

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Princess Maria Laura’s wedding to William Isvy on September 10 was attended by her Belgian, Austrian, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein relations, many of whom wore hats or headpieces.

Princess Astrid employed a “more is more” approach to her mother-of-the-bride ensemble, in a brimless hat covered in the same the green ostrich feathers as on the cuffs of her teal lace jacket… with a few more teal ones studded in. 

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Lace, feathers, ribbon embroidery, crystal collar, purple, teal, green… it’s a lot of elements that together, put this look well over the top for me. ‘Nuff said.

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Designer: The entire ensemble is Gucci
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The bride’s sisters Princess Luisa and Princess Laetitia and sister-in-law Princess Elisabetta wore vibrant yellow, emerald and ruby ​​bandeau headpieces.

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Queen Paola wore a headpiece in biscuit pleated abacca that encircled her head. It’s lovely from front view, the arc of the piece creating a halo framing Paola’s face with a ruffle on one side .

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Designer: “Chamira” design by Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This design is new

The groom’s mother Lisa wore an ecru sinamay disc percher trimmed with ivory sinamay twists and ivory and ecru feather flowers.

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His sister wore a wide blush sinamay saucer trimmed with multiple twists, feathers and curled quills in a slightly darker shade of pink.

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Queen Mathilde surprised with the repeat of a hat not seen for nearly 20 years. In pink sinamay woven with metallic fibers, the wide-brimmed design follows a sweeping pyramid shape with sharp, dropped vertical edge.

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It’s a dramatic statement hat softened by its color and pairing with Mathilde’s lovely floral frock. When she first wore this hat for Prince Laurent and Princess Claire’s wedding in 2003 , I think it overwhelmed her a little but this time, thanks to a more jaunty angle, a patterned dress and the confidence that simply comes with maturity, she carried it off fantastically.

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Designer: Maison van den Borne. Dress by Nathan.
Previously Worn: Apr 12, 2003

Princess Elisabeth was head to toe in red, topping a fringed dress with a brimmed straw hat. The design, with a gently waved brim, is simply trimmed with a slim hatband.

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Designer: “Laurany” design by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Caroline Herrera. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Claire paired her leaf printed dress with a loden green straw picture hat with extended brim In this era where smaller bandeaux and perchers have reigned in popularity, it’s fun to see a design of such scale!

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Designer: unknown
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Princess Louise wore a vibrant headpiece headpiece of silk flowers. It’s such a youthful design that paired beautifully with her fuchsia dress.

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Designer: “Eden” design by Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Rotate.
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Delphine wore a fedora hat covered in “The Bubble” silk print from her newly released wearable art collection. It’s a bold design that was well balanced against her solid red dress. 

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Designer: unknown. Dress by Cilem Tunc Van Trier. 
Previously Worn: at this photoshoot

Princess Marie-Esméralda wore a dark blue straw cloche with extended brim. The hat is trimmed with a wide royal blue Petersham hatband and white silk rose on the side. Princess Léa wore a blue silk bow headpiece with veil. 

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Princess Margaretha of Liechenstein wore a tall blush pillbox wrapped in a wide band of caramel abaca with a knotted bow at the back. Princess Maria Anunciata, shown beside her mother below, wore a bandeau headpiece of pink silk petals. Princess Margaretha’s other daughter, Princess Marie-Astrid, attended the bride and was shown in the prior post in a plaited pink bandeau headpiece. 

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Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg wore a fuchsia straw saucer percher trimmed with orange silk abaca twists.

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Princess Dianne of Nassau wore a pink silk abaca draped calot with large bows. Prince Jean’s daughter, Princess Marie Gabrielle of Nassau, wore a pale green silk halo headband headpiece . 

Archduke Lorenz’s sister Countess Beatrice of Arco-Zinneberg attended along with all of six of her daughters Countess Anna Teresa, Countess Margherita, Countess Olympia, Countess Maximiliana, Countess Marie Gabrielle and Countess Giorgiana. Countess Margherita is pictured below in a black straw pyramid shaped hat with bow (see the back here). Countess Marie Gabrielle repeated the wore a in a deep navy straw vertical Philip Treacy saucer rimmed in midnight blue velvet trimmed with purple butterflies and silk orchids that her mother wore to her sister Olympia’s wedding in 2019.

ss Dianne of Nassau wore a pink silk abaca draped calot with large bows. 

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Also spotted in hats were Archduchess Anna-Gabriele of Austria with her daughter Catherina, Princess Therese of Liechtenstein, Princess Xenia of Croÿ and Princess Eleonora de Ligne.

That wraps up Princess Maria Laura’s wedding! What hats or headpieces stood out most to you?

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Images from Getty as indicated  

Belgium National Day 2022

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My sincere apologies, dearest readers, for the unforseen hiatus this month. All is well again and we are going to begin catching up in Belgium! Last Thursday, the Belgian royal family attended the annual Te Deum mass and military parade celebrating their national holiday.

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Queen Mathilde wore a new wide brimmed woven straw hat trimmed with a rope of burnt feathers.

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The burnt feather trim is a miss for me- it’s thickness and placement snakes around the hat in a way I just don’t find attractive. I also wish the hat’s undertone was truly gold or brown (without that slight coral/pinky tinge) to better coordinate with Mathilde’s dress. It’s all right… but not great.

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne “Paris” hat. Natan dress. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Elisabeth wore a red halo bandeau headpiece wrapped in crisp twisted ribbon.

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These halos are the height of fashion these days and thus, an obvious choice for a young princess. The shape suits Elisabeth very well and the twisted detail gives lovely texture to the design that gives just enough contrast to stand on its own against her dress. Lovely!

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Designer: Emily London “Galilea” Headband in Red. Victoria Beckham dress. 
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Astrid attended the event in uniform, as she does each year, with upfolded brim cap.

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Princess Claire paired her floral dress with a burgundy silk abaca pleated bandeau headpiece.

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The colour is lovely on Claire, as is the scale.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Delphine topped her red and white dress with a crisp white straw hat with slightly flared crown and curved brim trimmed with a red hatband and bow.

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The hat is a great counterpoint for Delphine’s dress, the classic shape a great contrast with the dress’ modern graphic embroidery. We don’t talk here enough about brim lengths- this one suits her so well.

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Designer: Josje Huisman. Dress by ​Pol Volgels with embroidery by Antwerp Borduur Service. Styled by Jody Van Geert
Previously Worn: This hat is new

What do you think of this parade of hats last week in Brussels?

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Belgian Royals Attend Laeken Mass

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Members of the Belgian royal family attended the annual mass in memory of the deceased members of their family at the Church of Our Lady of Laeken on Thursday, February 17, 2022

For the event, Queen Mathilde repeated a calot hat with domed, pointed crown wrapped with flying ribbon tails around the bottom curve. The textured black fabric covering it has small dimples that lend a subtle sparkle and welcome texture to the piece.


The hat tops another elegant ensemble for Mathilde. I wasn’t always a fan of the pointed crown’s shape but it’s a unique touch I’ve come around to appreciate, simply because it adds some interest. My issue here is with the puckers around the base, where the fabric has not been smoothly blocked (see what I mean more clearly here).


Designer: I believe it is Fabienne Delvigne. Coat by Meer Couture
Previously Worn: Dec 12, 2015; Dec 13, 2014; Nov11, 2011; Nov 15, 2008

Princess Astrid wore a simple padded black velvet headband.

Princess Claire wore a wide-brimmed black felt fedora. The hat is trimmed with a wide ribbon hatband topped with a slim leather one that ties into a double looped bow on the side. The scale is lovely on Claire as are those stacked hatbands, which give just enough contrast to the design.

Previously Worn:  This hat is new

Princess Delphine wore a slouchy black felt cloche with cuffed brim wrapped in a swath of dotted net tulle. It’s a chic look that suits the petite princess well.

Designer: Elvis Pompilio

Previously Worn:  This hat is new

Princess Léa wore a wide brimmed black felt fedora.

I think this quintet is a great example of the diversity of styles one can choose for more sombre events while still making a style statement. Which hats here speak to you most?

Images from Getty as indicated  

Belgian National Day

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The Belgian royal family celebrated their country’s national holiday today with a Te Deum mass at The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula followed by a military parade outside the Royal Palace.

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Queen Mathilde wore a new bandeau headpiece covered in a textured striped fabric in the palest beigey-pink.

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The caped floral dress requires a light millinery touch and the scale and subtle texture of this design works well. It’s nicely finished, with bias placement of the stripe and not a pucker or underside structure to be seen. While it lets the dress be the focus, which I suppose was its aim, I’m afraid I find it a bit underwhelming

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Designer: Fabienne Delvigne
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Elisabeth also wore a new hat, in textured deep orange (or tomato red?!) straw. The pillbox design is simply trimmed with a knotted sash on the side.

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It’s a great scale on Elisabeth, the weave of the hat providing textural contrast to the floral pattern on her dress. We’ve not seen her in many hats and this one is a good ‘beginner.’

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Designer:  Fabienne Delvigne’s “Kennedy” design. Dress by Natan
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Enrolled in this year’s course at the Belgian Military Academy, Princess Elisabeth marched in the military parade in full uniform.

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Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent also attended in military uniform, Princess Astrid in a green hat with smart curved brim and Prince Laurent in a traditional cap (Princess Claire did not attend).

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Today’s celebration officially included Princess Delphine and her partner, Jim O’Hare, for the first time. She wore a vibrant patterned dress and matching beret from Belgian ethical fashion brand Erratum, whose work is inspired by Africa.

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It’s a bold look but one that seems authentic for the artist, whose work is described as vibrant, playful and quirky. The same words describe this ensemble and that’s exactly what makes me love it. Yes, it’s lot of pattern and the hat could really use some structure (there’s a reason fabric hats are blocked over sinamay bases!) but its a confident statement that I wish we saw more in royal fashion.

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Designer: Erratum
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Marie-Esméralda attended the Te Deum in a very pretty pink pleated bandeau headpiece.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this is new

It’s wonderful to see larger events opening up, especially with they include the debut of a new princess! What do you think of this group of hats today in Brussels?

Images from Getty as indicated