Tag Archives: Queen Camilla

Ascot Day 2

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 Joined by my lovely guests, British Milliner Katie Vale and American milliner Jill Courtemanche, let’s look at the royal hats yesterday at Day 2 of Royal Ascot

Queen Elizabeth in Rachel Trevor Morgan

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KV:  I love this hat! The colour matches the jacket perfectly and the pretty, delicate flowers pick out all of the colours in the dress so well. The shape is a standard for the Queen and she is comfortable in it but the flowers give a modern feel to it. I love how they go all the way around the crown too! My favourite hat that I’ve seen her in for a long time.

JC: I really liked the queen’s hat today. The shape and the proportion of the hat were very flattering and the trim was a lovely match with her coat and dress. I was particularly taken with the clean lines of the hat, how it created a modern look allowing her to do a bit more with the details in her outfit – the gathered neckline of the dress, floral broach and the pearls.

RH: As Katie mentioned, this is a familiar hat shape for the Queen and works so well for her. I think the simple shape also does well to hold more fussy decoration. The flowers on this hat would be too cutesey for anyone else (especially circled all the way around the brim) but on the Queen, it’s charming and very, very pretty.

Duchess of Cornwall in Philip Treacy

KV: It’s funny because we often speak about Camilla being “over hatted” in these large creations; whilst I do really like this hat I think the brim could easily be bigger! The brim and decoration are fairly big, and I do love the shape of the brim but it just seems a tad unbalanced. But I like the design & decoration!

RH: I have always loved this hat and don’t find it off balance at all. We see so many hats trimmed with flowers, feathers and bows, it’s such a fresh change to see the pleated origami-esque pinwheel trimming this hat. I think this focal point is balanced by the slightly raised brim on the other side of this hat. What’s most interesting to me is that this is an all cream ensemble- coat, dress and hat- but it’s not boring at all.

JC: This looks to be the same shape as the hat she wore on day one just with a more tailored trim. It’s a great and flattering shape on her and I love the ivory and the combination of the two types of straw. If I had to choose between the two, I think I liked the blue a bit more.

Princess Anne

JC: I love a good pillbox and I am so happy that the shape is making a comeback on the millinery scene. I think this is a great shape on Princess Anne but I wish she had chosen to have it made in a straw (or silk) that complimented her suit rather than in the same fabric. I think the fabric makes it a bit matronly but I don’t dislike the overall look.

KV: I also love a large pill box shape (they remind me of Jackie O) but I don’t think this hat is enough for Ascot. The more I look at this design the more I like it actually; but it is too bland for a princess at ascot!

RH: I seldom like hats made in the same fabric as a coordinating dress or coat (what can I say, I’m a sucker for more textural contrast). This one however, is interesting as the pattern has been run diagonally on the hat and that provides some contrast. It has a rather global feel which is fun for a royal hat. That aside, I have to agree with Katie that while this hat is great for an average royal engagement, it’s lacks the visual punch we all expect to see at Ascot.

Countess of Wessex in Jane Taylor

JC: This is really an overall lovely look! The hat is incredibly flattering on her and I really like the saucer/picture hat shape. I also really like the sheer inset, it keeps the hat light and adds interest without piling on the trim. Her whole outfit has a nod to the 1950’s and I think she looks great.

KV: High 5! Absolutely beautiful! The brim shape with the pointed dip is gorgeous. I love the crin gap in it too, giving a lovely detail to the plain straw. I think the delicate flower just finishes it off so well too. By far my favourite hat today! Well done Sophie, you’ve picked a winner!

RH: Such a beautiful hat. The shape is interesting and I love the sheer crin stripe in the brim. I often find these all white outfits rather boring but this hat is the showstopper in this elegant ensemble. Also my favourite hat of the day. 

Duchess of Gloucester

JC: Adorable, I love this entire ensemble. The perky beret is the perfect shape to wear with this high frill collar, it lifts her out of the suit and gives her nice height. The simplicity of the hat is a little sedate for Ascot but paired with the lively suit it works. She looks fantastic.

KV: I think I’ve seen her in this before. A plain beret shape is quite fashionable at present, but I can’t help feeling that it is a winter hat! It’s also dark in colour too, so again tells us it should belong in winter. It’s a nice enough hat, but with the lack of decoration it gives very little oomph! I just don’t think it’s enough to say it’s an ascot hat!

RH: She certainly has worn it before (in several colours!) Repetition aside, I think it’s adorable with her polka dot coat.

Princess Michael of Kent in John Boyd

KV: I really like this hat, the shape is gorgeous and there is so much silver grey around at the moment. The ostrich feather plume gives a lovely finish. My only negative thoughts about this is that it seems more of a winter hat.

JC: This feels a little costumey to me but I like it. Princess Michael looks very nice in the toque shape and the color is soft and simple plus it matches her suit perfectly. The puff of ostrich feathers for the trim adds just enough fun to make this right for Ascot, I give it a thumbs up.

RH: We first saw this hat last weekend for Trooping the Colour. It is rather costumey but so are most of Princess Michael’s hats and that’s why we love her. I think the addition of the ostrich plume to a classic hat is quite creative and fun. In a bright colour it would probably look ridiculous but in this cool silver, it’s lovely and oh-so fun.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Princess of Jordan, Sheikha of Dubai in suspected Philip Treacy

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RH: It’s an interesting shape but I’m not crazy about the mint green toothpastey colour on Princess Haya, nor how far back it is on her head. These points are moot, however, because this hat is competing with the Van Gough sunflowers. I find the dress confusing and this confusion takes away from the hat.

JC: The hat is the best part of this outfit…..that dress is ghastly! Normally I do not like hats worn this far back on the head but this frames Princess Haya’s face beautifully and with her hair back and her lovely earrings, I think it works. The hat itself is fantastic, I really like the shallow crown and the crin detail. (RH: I totally missed that pretty crin detail because with this dress, I seriously don’t see the hat!)

KV: The shape of this hat is lovely. The brim is placed very well and gives a fabulous as symmetrical shape whilst keeping her full face uncovered. The colour is light and summery. I’m not 100% sure about the bow detail though and I can’t figure out why!

Lady Brabourne in Dillon Wallwork

Lady Brabourne, June 18, 2014 | Royal Hats

RH: A number of you have contacted me, requesting we include Lady Brabourne’s marvelous tomato red straw hat in our Ascot coverage. It is a lovely hat with the most elegant shape. I particularly love the modern, asymmetrical hat with her traditional 1960’s-esque cropped jacket. So chic!

All in all, another wonderfully entertaining day of royal Ascot hats, don’t you think? Which hats were your favourites yesterday?

Photos from Getty as indicated and Rex via The Daily Mail

Royal Ascot Day 1: The British Royal Family

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After looking at the hats worn by Queen Elizabeth and Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Princess of Jordan, Sheikha of Dubai for the first day of Royal Ascot yesterday, my guest commenters British Milliner Katie Vale and American milliner Jill Courtemanche and I are going to look at the hats worn by the British Royal Family. Here goes!

Duchess of Cornwall in Philip Treacy

JC: I love that Camilla embraces wearing hats opposed to some who just plop on some old thing and go. She always manages to pull of what I think on a lot of women would just be too much hat. As such my first instinct is to say that the design of this hat is “heavy”, it has a lot going on (and a very distinct crown) but she carries it fabulously. The color lightens everything up and flatters her skin tone and the detail work on the trim is phenomenal. As a designer I can definitely say that putting that much trim on a hat and still managing to make it look light, is no easy task!

KV: I just love that Camilla has the confidence to wear such large hats. They suit her and she carries them well. The brim has an inverted edging I think, I really like that. And I think the decoration is dramatic! If there had been smaller decoration it would’ve been lost, because of the one plain colour.

RH: Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. I also adore Camilla in large picture hats and there is something so beautiful about the movement on the side decoration of this hat. This hat has a LOT going on- inverted edging, double grey straw bands around the crown, a blue net band around the crown, and the curled bow loop decoration on the side- but it is so well balanced it does not seem overdone. Paired with Camilla’s beautiful blue and silver coat dress, I think this outfit is perfection. My favourite hat of the day!

Princess Beatrice in Sarah Cant

JC: Fantastic! The color and the shape are both gorgeous on her. The hat is simple but the detailing in the texture really add a nice architectural feel to the hat while still keeping it ladylike. It’s fun and age appropriate but not a fascinator which is refreshing.

KV: I like the colour tones and the decoration on the top crown, but I don’t like the brim and how it slopes in one sweep.

RH: I love it! The combination of teal and navy feels so modern and is perfect for Princess Beatrice. I love the unusual shape of the hat and the stitched lines on the crown and brim- beautiful embellishment without being too much. Many hats would have been too busy with this lace dress but these two pieces are the perfect compliment. Modern, interesting but still very beautiful on Beatrice. Another one of my favourite hats of the day!

Princess Eugenie in Nerida Fraiman

KV: I try to find positives in everything….but to me this just looks like a clam shell on her head with a flower stuck on it. I’m really sorry but I’ve seen her wear so much better!

RH: I am a sucker for a black and white hat and I find the small pleats on the base of the hat give it some texture. Eugenie has certainly worn some more memorable hats but this one seems classic and rather sweet.

JC: I can’t really say anything bad about this hat, the colors are nice and soft and there is a lovely combination of textures but its not something I am going to remember. I would like to see a bit more pizazz and fun, it’s Ascot after all.

Countess of Wessex in Jane Taylor

JC: This hat is interesting to me, I can’t decide which way to go. The shape and the color are lovely on her and I very much like the textural combination of the beadwork with the buntal as it’s not something you commonly see and therefore feels fresh but it also looks a bit heavy and the quills are all bent up. I think because it Ascot and you want to go a bit more over the top, it works but I’m not in love with it.

RH: I feel like this is a confusing jumble of things going on. I like creative and fantastical hats but this one feels really disjointed. I do, however, like this pale blue on Sophie.

KV: Oh dear! This just highlights how important placement is! If this was 1-2″ more to the left, with the pearl facing directly front on it would just look so much better. As it is though…..I’m not a fan!

Princess Anne

JC: Why is she wearing this cocktail hat like a yarmulke? A very cute hat (if not a bit too youthful) and the colors match her suit effortlessly but in my opinion she has it on all wrong. I want to tilt it down towards her right eye so the veil cages over her eyes instead of her hair.

KV:Hhhmmmmm….the hat is nice and the colour tone matches her outfit really well, but it’s placed too far back. So it doesn’t sit right. Which is a shame as I really like her dress and jacket.

RH: Even with placement further forward as a cocktail hat should be (which would make SUCH an improvement), the brown and yellow colour combination seems really tired. I also think the flower plonked on the middle of this hat was not such a good idea. Anne has recently worn some new hats with brims; I think a more traditional shape with a brim works so much better for her than a cocktail hat.

Zara Phillips Tindall in Philip Treacy

KV: Does she ever get it wrong? A large front disc! Gorgeous! Modern! Stylish & chic. The spirals just add a splash of fun to it. The only thing is that as it’s all cream you can’t see the detail very well.

JC: I think Zara looks lovely in this hat. It’s a good shape for her and it’s a very clean, ladylike finish for her suit. I’m not wowed, I think we’ve seen this look before and as so it almost makes it look ordinary (which just sounds crazy because if one was to wear that here in the states it would be anything but).

Royal Hats: What a marvelous Ascot hat! I love the black and white colour combination, especially the mix of a rather sedate dress with a statement hat. Her chignon also balances the hat so very well. I don’t find this ordinary at all! Another one of my favourite hats of the day!

Photos from Getty as indicated

Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge Celebrate Trooping the Colour

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After looking at the hats worn by The Queen and the ‘royal colonels’ (members of her family who hold the rank of Colonel for various guards), it’s time to turn our attention to the royal hats worn by other members of the British Royal Family. One of my favourite hats of the day was worn by the Duchess of Cornwall, who repeated one of her magnificent straw picture hats. This one, in dusty pink, was trimmed by silk peonies and leaves, a giant curling feather spine and wide ribbon circling the brim in gentle waves. Undoubtedly, that makes for a lot of trim on a single hat but Camilla carries it off so well.

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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: June 19, 2012; June 7, 2011; August 15, 2010; June 12, 2010; June 17, 2009; 

The Duchess of Cambridge debuted a new percher hat in palest ice blue, trimmed with delicate lace detail. It an interesting hat that looks to be a cross between the hat Kate wore for Easter during her and William’s tour of Australia, and this hat, worn by Zara Philips to Cheltenham back in March. I love the gently sloped shape of the hat and adore the lace trim. Paired with her beautiful ice blue Alexander McQueen suit, I thought this hat was fantastic.

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Designer: Jane Taylor
Previously Worn: this is a new hat

Photos from Getty as indicated

New Hat Wardrobe for Windsor Royals

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We all know Rachel Trevor Morgan as a milliner who creates beautiful hats for The Queen, Princess Alexandra and numerous other members of the British Royal family. She recently collaborated with Legoland Windsor to create a wardrobe of new hats for some very special royal clients:

The Queen and Duchess of Cornwall:

Queen Elizabeth in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats  Duchess of Cornwall in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats

The Duchess of Cambridge and Carole Middleton (I am not sure why Carole was included… I think I will pretend she is The Princess Royal because this green hat would be marvelous on Princess Anne):

Duchess of Cambridge in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats  Carole Middleton in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie:

Princess Beatrice in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats  Princess Eugenie in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats

And Zara Phillips Tindall (shown below right with the designer herself in matching hats):

Zara Phillips Tindall in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats Rachel Trevor Morgan and Zara Phillips Tindall in Rachel Trevor Morgan designs, June 2014 | Royal Hats

I think this collaboration is absolutely brilliant! Rachel Trevor Morgan not only created hats that reflect the style of the real person depicted in Lego, she also created miniature millinery works of art. It’s so fun and beautifully kicks off what will be a busy ten days of Trooping the Colour, Order of the Garter and Ascot hats beginning tomorrow. Hats off to Rachel Trevor Morgan for these brilliant designs!

Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth and Duchess of Cambridge in Rachel Trevor Morgan, June 2014 | Royal Hats British Royal Family in Rachel Trevor Morgan designs, June 2014 | Royal Hats British Royal Family in Rachel Trevor Morgan designs, June 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, Gareth Cattermole, and Gareth Cattermole via Getty

British Royals at D-Day Anniversary

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Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and other European monarchs to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings today. The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white straw picture hat with an asymmetrical brim trimmed with a wide, pleated sash around the crown which knotted at the side. Camilla wears these large hats so very well and I thought her monochrome ensemble was so tasteful and elegant.

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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: June 18, 2013

The Prince of Wales was in military uniform with cap.

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Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge met with World War II veterans in Arromanches-les-Bains and attended a commemorative service at Gold Beach. For these events, the Duchess of Cambridge repeated her small black straw saucer percher-style hat with stylized bow at the back. Paired with her blue Alexander McQueen coat (which has a slight military feel to it), black dress and black accessories, I thought Kate’s polished ensemble was quite chic.

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Designer: Lock & Co. it is a bespoke version of the “Salsa” design from the Summer 2013 collection
Previously Worn: June 13, 2013

Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, also attended today’s anniversary. I thought she looked wonderful in a dove grey straw mushroom brimmed hat with curled bow at the back. This hat had a distinctly 1940s feel to it, especially when paired with her grey suit and high necked blouse.

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Designer: Gina Foster. It looks like a custom version of the “Amaryllis” hat

I can’t wait to hear what you think of these and the other royal hats from the poignant commemoration in Normandy today.

Photos from Getty as indicated