King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark arrived in Stockholm on Monday for a state visit. For the official welcome, both kings predictably wore ceremonial military uniform with caps.

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Queen Mary wore a new calot hat in navy sinamay with large bow at the back.

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The styling of the ensemble is a classic success with navy accessories beautifully setting off the textured white dress. As for the hat shape… one comment online described the hat’s bow as eating her head, especially from head-on veiw from a distance. The bow certainly gives the calot presence.

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Milliner: Jane Taylor
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Queen Silvia repeated a cerise silk covered pillbox trimmed with a flat bow around the back and a slim yellow silk piping around the base of the front that ties to the hounds tooth patterned dress of this ensemble.

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On its own, the hat is fine- it’s a classic pillbox and Silvia wears the shape well. It’s the overall look that feels off, maybe because it feels less chic and more costume to me in this colour scheme in high-sheen fabrics.

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Milliner: unknown. Silk dress and coat by Maknam.
Previously Worn: Nov 15, 2022

Crown Princess Victoria wore a floral headpiece with large petals made of the same pink fabric as her dress and coat with a black center.

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Milliner Tim Maartenson made mini versions of the headpiece for buttons on Victoria’s dress and a small hairclip for Princess Estelle. It’s fair to point out that Maartenson’s work is bringing to life a design by Christer Lindarw, whose vision was clearly an overall pink look with black accessories. I find the headpiece’s design both a bit cutesy and a little flat although make no mistake, it’s impeccably made; Maartenson has created some lovely headpieces for the crown princess and I suspect he would have come up with something more sophisticated had he been given the freedom to create his own design to coordinate with this ensemble. That all being said, it’s great to see such collaborations between designers, milliners and makers happening and being acknowledged. 

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Milliner: Tim Maartenson for Christer Lindarw. Dress and coat by Birgitta Jonsson for Christer Lindarw.
Previously Worn: This headpiece is new

Princess Sofia repeated a white bandeau headpiece.

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Milliner: unknown. Dress by Veronica Virta
Previously Worn: May 17, 2022

During the programme of events the first day, the two queens removed their hats. Queen Mary wore a sparkling hair comb; between the comb and the calot, I’ve have gone with the calot. Let’s hope this practice of removing hats after a state visit’s welcome doesn’t become tradition.

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Milliner: Ellen Hunter NY “Nell” comb  
Previously Worn: Jan 3, 2024

Thoughts?