Tag Archives: Princess Mako

Imperial Crown Prince Proclaimed

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Last Sunday, the Imperial royal family celebrated Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-Gi, the final ceremony in the Emperor’s enthronement that officially proclaims the new crown prince which had been postponed seven months due to the global pandemic.

Empress Masako arrived early in the morning to prepare for the day of ceremonies in her oyster silk covered bumper hat.

Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Kiko followed an hour later, Kiko in a pale lime silk jacquard floral gown with matching bumper hat. The cuffed bumper brim on this design is covered in wide bias stripes of smooth silk and silk smocked in the same fine pattern as the waist on Kiko’s dress. This smocking gives some textural dimension to the hat, especially when punctuated with the small shiny silk stripe between each section. While a subtle detail, it is impeccably executed and once again, shows incredible quality and millinery skill.

At eleven o’clock that morning, the Imperial royal family gathered for the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi ceremony where the new Crown Prince was officially proclaimed. Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Akishino wore traditional sokutai robesand the distinctive black kanmuri hat. Empress Masako and Crown Princess Kiko wore junihitoe multi-layered kimonos with the triple pronged golden headpiece and elaborate sculpted sweeping ponytail that is worn with this costume.


Members of the extended Imperial Royal family were in attendance, the ladies in court dress (gowns and hats).

Princess Mako repeated a blush dotted silk jacquard gown and matching bumper brimmed calot hat. Princess Kako repeated a scarlet bandeau headpiece trimmed with silk flowers.
Princess Mako’s hat previously worn: Nov 16, 2019; Jan 13, 2017; December 23, 2015;
Princess Kako’s hat previously worn: Feb 23, 2020; Oct 25, 2019
Princess Hanako topped her apple silk gown with a matching saucer percher hat with pleated rim, embellished with ivory feathers and silk leaves. Princess Nobuko wore a bandeau headpiece covered in periwinkle blue silk, trimmed with feather flowers on the side.
Princess Nobuko’s hat previously worn: Feb 23, 2020
Princess Akiko of Mikasa wore a lemon yellow bumper hat wrapped in a swath of pleated crin and trimmed with a spray of silk flowers across the back. Princess Yoko repeated a pale coral textured pillbox.
Princess Akiko’s hat previously worn: Oct 25, 2019; Apr 10, 2019
Princess Yoko’s hat previously worn: Oct 25, 2019; Apr 10, 2019
Princess Hisako wore a standout hat with crown in the same vibrant green silk as the cuffs on her gown. The hat’s cartwheel brim appears to be  covered in overlapping ombre leaves and an overlay of veil. Princess Tsuguko repeated her burgundy bumper hat with veil and side silk floral trim.
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Princess Hisako’s hat: I believe this hat is new
Princess Tsuguko’s hat previously worn: Apr 30, 2019; Feb 26, 2019; Jan 10, 2018 
Following the ceremony, the Crown Prince and Princess worshipped at Kashiko-dokoro shrine which is located on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. They were joined by several of the Imperial princesses who wore pale gowns and repeated ivory hats.

That evening, the emperor, empress, crown prince and princess took part in the Choken-no-Gi (First Audience ceremony), the women in glittering diamond parures complete with impressive tiaras.

The vibrant hats worn by the Imperial princesses at the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi stood out to me- weren’t they wonderful?!
Photos from social media as indicated; The Asahi Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun via Getty; 

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Mako and Princess Kako in cream silk covered bumper hats on Friday to worship at the Meiji Shrine for its 100th anniversary

Queen Elizabeth in a repeated black cloche with diagonal felt crown wrap, side bow and feather trim by Angela Kelly (made by Stella McLaren) at Westminster Abbey this week to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the burial of the Unknown Soldier.

Embed from Getty Images
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Chocolate straw brimmed hat with amazing leather interlooped crown overlay by Dutch milliner Mirjam van der Welle

Leopard print fur felt trilby with emerald velvet hatband and side bow by Italian brand Batog Couture Millinery
Black lace applique bandeau headpiece studded with Swarovski crystals by UK brand Maria Monica
Tan straw stylised top hat with rolled brim and ringed trim by Australian milliner Liza Stedman
Teal velour felt percher with bows and pink straw flower trimmed bandeau by British milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan
Raspberry felt hat with bumper brim and interesting off-the-face twist trim by Japanese brand Maxim
Wide brimmed saucer in black & white herringbone sinamay with fantastic bubble detail by British milliner Karen Geraghty

 

Scarlet beret percher with apricot veil overlay and velvet floral spray by UK-based milliner Guilia Mio
Charming vintage-inspired denim blue straw cloche with ribbon hatband by British brand Little Sister Millinery
Cream and magenta parasisal bumper hat with veil by Australian milliner Lisa Hughes
Statement turban in orange and purple silk abaca with cascade of flowers by Australian brand With Grace Millinery
From Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit, an exquisite white fantasy with striped silk chiffon bias brim, lace applique, sculpted bow, beads, sequins and all kinds of incredible detail that took top prize at Palma Hat Week. See other entries here.

Did you see British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful speaking with the Prince of Wales about his style?!

 

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Benedikte in a new brimless hat covered in feathers last Sunday at memorial service and wreath-laying in Spentrup to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Denmark’s WWII liberation
The Akishino princesses were in black hats today for the ttended the funeral of former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone


Princess Charlene shared this sweet snap of Princess Gabriella in a velvet headband with bow, in a cuddle with her brother
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Lovely lavender felt beret with feathers by London-based milliner Merve Bayindir
The most exquisite halo bandeau of ecru cut feathers, pearls and beads by Irish milliner Michelle Kearns
Sassy burgundy stylised trilby with silk binding and back bow by Czech milliner Jolana Kotabova
Pale yellow straw hat with windowpane brim and side trim by Australian milliner Catherine Kelly
Turquoise straw teardrop percher with veil and stunning feathers by Australian milliner Jill Humphries
Bright pink felt fedora with dotted hatband by France-based Spanish milliner Sylvia Martinez
Deep blue button percher with peacock and pheasant feathers by UK brand SB Millinery
Statement yellow oversize dome with fringed seams by Australian milliner Stacey Hemera Roberts
Chic leopard print felt cap with black velvet bow by UK brand Marrison Millinery
Sweeping silk pink, lilac and cream silk abacca design (see side view here) by Australian milliner Souri Sengdara

Luscious leaf green silk abacca head wrap with oversized flying bow by Australian brand Fox millinery
Charming textured natural straw percher with oversize white leather flower by Tasmanian milliner Cessiah Alice
Nude pink feather covered beret with gold quill & statement feather flowers by UK-based Stephanie Elizabeth Millinery
Bold pyramid hat design covered in red feathers by Australian milliner Cynthia Jones Bryson
Ombre dyed aqua straw boater (notice the beautifully dyed silk binding and hatband!) with feather wrap. By Australian milliner Stephanie Spencer

The Danish monarchy released four new portraits of Prince Christian to mark his 15th birthday
King Philippe welcomed his sister, Princess Delphine, for a meeting at Laeken Castle. Their joint statement not only recognizes Delphine’s title, but feels like the start of something good. Her interview on 60 Minutes Australia, taped before this meeting, is edited toward the sensational in my opinion, but still worth a watch.
Lovely to see the Spanish royal family this week at events for the Princess of Asturias awards and Spanish National Day
Embed from Getty Images

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Empress Masako, Princess Mako and Princess Kako in demure hats on June 16 to mark the 20th anniversary of Empress Kojun’s death


On Wednesday, Queen Margrethe wore her apricot straw hat with navy hatband to open the recreation of an early Viking era 61 meter long great hall/building for a king or chieftain
On Thursday, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall received French President Emmanuel Macron for a visit to commemorating the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle’s ‘Appel’ speech which sparked the start of French Resistance. For this visit, Camilla repeated her ivory straw sidesweeping picture hat with navy straw crown cuff and ivory silk knotted bow.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images  Embed from Getty Images
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:
Silver straw pyramid with cream and red Japanese silk flowers by Australian milliner Felicity Northeast
Denim blue straw beret percher with rainbow trim by London-based milliner Vesna Pesic
Guipure lace stylised top hat with cerise silk flying bow by Australian milliner Neil Grigg
Retro striped straw bucket hat with veil and bow by Australian brand That Millinery
Lilac straw bandeau with rolled edge flower by France-based brand Elegance Ahead
Navy extended brim straw cloche by Russian milliner Lia Gureeva
Pale pink sculptural headpiece based on a rose by British milliner Awon Golding
Striking royal blue lace halo bandeau by Australian brand Get Racy
Vintage lilac and cream straw hat with striking teal and purple hatband by Italian milliner Marianna Sanua
Navy extended brim straw cloche by Russian milliner Lia Gureeva
Pale purple hat with webbed brim and pink roses by Hong Kong brand Noeleen Millinery
For our dear gents, a charcoal felt fedora with taupe hatband and brim stitching from Hornskov København

Fantastic shape and dimensional, striped hatband on this impeccably finished design from Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit

King Willem Alexander his usually good-natured self, adapting to social reality with an elbow greeting
New photos of the next generation of Luxembourg royals, taken from a Paris Match interview with the Grand Duchess
Wonderful photos of the Duke of Cambridge with his father and children, taken by the Duchess of Cambridge and shared today on William’s birthday



Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Yesterday, Empress Masako was photographed arriving for the Spring Equinox Festival at the Imperial Palace in an ecru silk covered hat with upturned Breton brim. This video shows Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Kako and Princess Hisako arriving in cream silk bumper hats and Princess Tsuguko in a her cloche with short cartwheel brim.
King Harald and Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit shared greetings and words of encouragement along with photos of how they are keeping occupied in isolation


Several of you have commented on this re-post of Queen Margrethe making a dachshund hat. It’s certainly worth another watch!
I have no idea when this photo was taken but it shows one of the wives of  Swazi King Mswati III in a fun, deep red headpiece that I don’t remember seeing before.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:

 Blue straw fedora with saucy brim with silver lace appliqué with hand embroidered sequins by Dutch milliner Wies Mauduit
Black beret percher rimmed in straw blooms and a straw bow by New York-based brand Suzanne Couture Millinery
Another bold and wonderfully vibrant sinamay headpiece by American milliner Amy Fowler
Lovely drape on this vibrant blue felt beret percher’s double bow by Australian milliner Neil Grigg
Exaggerated and striking white boater hat with tall crown and cutout brim by Korean milliner Q Park
Blue ombre bandeau headpiece of overlapping straw leaves by British milliner Bee Smith
Lovely mulberry felt fedora with extended brim and fantastic pheasant feathers by Kenya-based miliner Chloe Mitchell
Black and white straw saucer with flying rim trimmed with lace by American milliner Tiffany Arey
Mysteriously beautiful veiled black lace mask headpiece by British milliner Jane Taylor
Tan felt fedora with fascinating textured brim by Australian milliner Felicity Northeast
Two-toned blue sinamay percher with sweeping shape by New York-based milliner Sally Caswell
Futuristic black straw saucer brimmed design with orbiting planets by British brand Miss Ginny Millinery
Two blush leather halo bandeau headpieces with statement flowers here and here by Australian milliner Cessiah Alice
For our dear gents, this sleek black fedora with silk paisley hatband from Danish brand Hornskov København

And from British milliner Anne Tomlin, this amazing percher made from straw braid sewn with wire and formed into a caged button percher, trimmed with exquisite handmade lily-of-the-valley and silk abaca leaves.

Happy news from Bhutan on the safe arrival of a new prince on Thursday.

What are you doing to spread support and encouragement these days?

Photos from social media as indicated