Tag Archives: Timothy Laurence

British Royals Commemorate Remembrance Sunday

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Members of the British Royal Family joined veterans, military servicepeople, members of government and civilians for a Remembrance Ceremony held yesterday morning at The Cenotaph, in Whitehall.

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The Prince of Wales, who placed wreaths on The Cenotaph of behalf of his mother, was joined by the Princess Royal, the Dukes of Cambridge, Sussex, York, and Kent and the Earl of Wessex, all in military uniform.

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Queen Elizabeth, who watched the service from a Whitehall balcony for the third year, repeated a black straw hat with silk crepe covered crown and binds the upturned kettle brim. The hat is simply trimmed with a stripe of black silk which circles the crown, anchored by two covered buttons in the font.

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Designer: Angela Kelly, made by Stella McLaren
Previously Worn: June 27, 2017; Nov 8, 2015

The Duchess of Cornwall wore a new, brimless hat. The design follows an oversize helmet (or mushroom top?) shape with gently rounded edges. The curved lines of the hat are dramatically accentuated with a mass of overlapping black feathers that circle around it.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Duchess of Cambridge also wore a new, brimless hat, her design built on a formed teardrop beret base with gentle crease down the center which gives it a gentle curve. The hat is beautifully trimmed with black braid ‘frog’ fasteners and corresponding beaded buttons which, along with the embroidered and tassel trimmed swags on her coat, give a thoughtful military nod to the day.

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Designer: Philip Treacy. Coat by Catherine Walker
Previously Worn: this hat is new

The Duchess of Sussex wore a streamlined black felt hat with wide cartwheel brim. The straight sides of the hat’s crown elevate its sophistication, as does its slim hatband, tied in front in an elegantly austere bow.

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Designer: Stephen Jones’ ‘Facetime’ from AW 2019 Miss Jones Collection. Coat by Stella McCartney. 
Previously Worn: This hat is new

The Countess of Wessex wore a black felt perching saucer hat trimmed with a large bow. A subtle swirl on the inside of the saucer (created through hand shaping) gives lovely movement to the design.

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Designer: Jane Taylor. It is the ‘Black Felt Hat With Bow’ from AW 2019. 
Previously Worn: this hat is new

Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Gloucester usually attend this event but so far, do not appear in any photographs (I’ll update the post if they do). In the meantime, there are some beautiful new hats here to admire.

Photos from Getty as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

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On Wednesday, Crown Princess Kiko wore a beige silk covered pillbox to visit the emperor and empress emeritus on the occasion of her birthday
A salmon pink sculpted bumper hat on Princess Hisako on Thursday to open the The Okura Tokyo hotel.


Earl of Wessex in a fedora yesterday in Bundeena, Australia on a walk with local high school children on a new Royal National Park national trail, opened to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
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Queen Elizabeth in a repeated Angela Kelly magenta boater hat to attend church in Scotland this morning
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Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne in casual hats to watch Zara Tindall compete in the Gatcombe Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park this weekend
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Brace yourselves- there’s a LONG list of fantastic new millinery designs that caught my eye this week:

Such a pretty magnolia flower headpiece by milliner Australian milliner Meredith McMaster
Exquisite saucers with statement silk ruffles in muted pink and purple by Australian milliner Rachel Henry
Ecru felt teardrop beret with soaring pheasant feathers anchored with pearls by Irish milliner Sophie Hunter
Sunshine yellow straw wide-brimmed bergère hat with statement feather by Australian brand Peacock Millinery
Black guipure lace bandeau with Swarovski crystals by American brand Bay Willow Design
For our gents, the most handsome midnight blue beaver felt fedora by Hornskov København
Fantastic gold and black printed, pleated turban with curling trim by Australian milliner Sandy Aslett
Whimsical pink hat with scalloped straw ribbon brim (and a dragonfly!) by Belgian milliner Amélie D’Hooghvorst
Mint green teardrop percher with flowers and white crin swirl by Irish brand Noeleen Designer Hats
Grey and pink sinamay and parasisal boater hat with woven crown from Australian milliner Jo Marree
Classic red felt brimmed hat stunning silk hatband from Belorussian milliner Olga Lumiere
Tasmania-based milliner Meghan Briton’s statement take on a white pillbox with black bow 
Pink textured sinamay based percher with wonderful floral trim by Aussie brand Locopa Designs
More pompoms (!!) on this fantastical design by Canadian milliner David Dunkley 

And two stunners to show here-  from Irish milliner Aoife Kirwan a percher in Irish linen beautifully embroidered with the country’s floral and fauna and from Australian milliner Alana English, a sky blue design with curving crown pleat, windowpane sinamay brim, pink hatband and spiky pink feather poufs.


A new exhibit at The Hermitage Amsterdam opens today featuring jewels of the Imperial Russian court, including this amazing brooch worn by Elizabeth (1741-62), Empress of Russia
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Princess Nobuko suffered a first lumbar vertebral fracture in a fall this week. I’m sure you join me in wishing her a speedy recovery, especially as she reportedly wants to attend the upcoming Imperial Enthronement.
Some lovely new portraits of Crown Princess Kiko, released for her 53rd birthday
And we end the week with a new royal hat wearer- Prince Amadeo of Belgium and his wife Elisabetta welcomed a son, Maximillian

Photos from social media as indicated

This Week’s Extras

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Weighing in on last week’s extras a bit late. Stay tuned later today for a separate post on the British royals at the Braemar Games and church this weekend.

On September 1, Princess Märtha Louise donned a fluffy pink organza and net fascinator for Derbyday at Øvrevoll Racecourse.
On August 31, Queen Margrethe wore a white straw hat with kettle brim and lace hatband to unveil a statue of Bernhard Arp Sindberg in Aarhus. The hat is so well paired with her blue and white dress.
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Crown Princess Mary repeated her black straw wide brimmed hat with pleated wave on one side of the brim last Thursday for Danish Flag Day. The hat, by Danish milliner Susanne Juul, had a newly added large black pleated flower on the side.

 

For Prince Hisahito’s 13th birthday last Friday, the Imperial Household Agency released photos taken on the private leg of his recent visit to Bhutan with his parents that show the young prince and Princess Kiko in informal cotton bucket hats. It’s fun to see the Akishinos looking so informal!
Princess Anne, Timothy Laurence and Mike Tindall in casual hats yesterday at the Burghley Horse Trials to watch Zara compete (she took a fall off her horse but reportedly, both were not injured)
Empress Masako in a white hat with double sky blue hatband and back bow yesterday at the 39th National Sea Enrichment Festival in Akita City.
The following new millinery designs caught my eye last week:
Black straw bumper with trio of large, rolled crin & straw flowers by New Zealand milliner Monika Neuhauser
Mustard yellow felt percher (in such a unique shape!) with bows by British milliner Rachel Trevor Morgan
Two-tone sinamay rolled disc hat with wonderful floral trim (see the back!) by Kenyan milliner Chloe Mitchell

And from Russian milliner Denis Gulyaev, this sculpted fedora in the most stunning shade of dark raspberry felt with a deep purple wrapped hatband.
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Начнем с полезного: как сохранить внешний вид головного убора? Сохраняйте - пригодится 👌 . 🔼 Головные уборы нужно хранить в шляпных коробках. И не пылится, и сверху случайно ничем не придавите. 🔼 Если вы попали в фетровой шляпе под дождь или мокрый снег, то аккуратно стряхните лишнюю влагу и оставьте шляпу на горизонтальной поверхности до полного высыхания. Когда шляпа высохнет - причешите ее щеткой. Велюровые фетровые шляпы стоит периодически обдавать паром (например, утюгом или парогенератором, но так, чтобы не попадали капли!) и причесывать ворс одежной щеткой. Это придаст шляпе более свежий и аккуратный вид. 🔼 Мелкие пылинки убраются с помощью ролика липучки. 🔼 Шляпы, кепки, фуражки не стирают, только сухая чистка. 🔼 Не вешайте фетровые шляпы на рожок напольной вешалки - есть шанс деформировать любимую вещь. . 🌟 Напомню, что для всех шляп, приобретенных в моем Ателье, действует сервисное обслуживание: коррекция формы, замена шляпной резинки, подкладки, чистка. И это не новая услуга - так было и будет всегда 💐

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Empress Emerita Michiko underwent surgery for breast cancer Saturday (Sunday in Japan). I’m sure you all join me in surrounding her with wishes for healing and wellness.
Interesting article in the New York Times about Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (Princess Beatrice’s boyfriend). Seems he’s much more than a handsome face.
Charming photos shared by the Belgian monarchy of Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore on their first day of school last week
Several royals came up against interesting doppelgangers last week- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde both faced their likenesses on canvas (the portrait of Queen Mathilde is wonderful!) while the Duchess of Cornwall met herself in this charming work in blackwork needlepoint (a type of embroidery using only black thread).
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Photos from social media as indicated

Royal Ascot Day 3: Princess Anne & Vice Admiral Laurence

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I’m so happy to welcome Ellie Vallerini, creator of Sussex-based Ellie Vallerini Hats, here to chat about all of today’s royal hats at Ascot!  

Princess Anne paired a new silk teal dress and muted teal coat with a matching hat. The straw design, in the same muted teal as the coat, has a rounded crown and high, sidesweeping brim and is embellished with a curling, multi-looped straw bow interspersed with trimmed feathers.

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Royal Hats: Happy claps! A new hat for Princess Anne!

Ellie Vallerini: How great to see Princess Anne in a new hat! The shape of this hat is fantastic, it’s always a flattering angle and a perfect size for her. I like the colour on her, although feel she could have gone a few tones darker. Although the hat itself is a bit safe the outfit altogether looks very elegant and I like the look of her dress colour underneath.

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Royal Hats: I’m with you, Ellie- the shape and scale are wonderful and the curling straw bow and feathers are a lively but still refined decoration. A few shades darker would have been great,although I think this one works thanks to the darker teal silk from Anne’s dress repeated on the hatband and piping on the bow and jacket lapel edges. It’s so good to see her embracing some softer, less severe hat shapes than some of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s designs still lurking in her hat closet!

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Princess Anne arrived with her mother in the first royal carriage, along with her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, and younger brother, the Duke of York, both who wore a black antique silk top hats.

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What do you think of Anne’s new hat today?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

 

Order Of The Garter 2019

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Founded by Edward III in 1348, The Order of the Garter is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry awarded at the Sovereign’s pleasure as a personal gift. Twenty four recipients of the order, known each as a Knight or Lady,  meet each year for a grand ceremony held int St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on the Monday before Royal Ascot begins.

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Members of the Garter wear elaborate robes and accessories for the Garter Service including a special hat. The hat, in the style of a Tudor bonnet, is made of black velvet with a voluminous, unstructured crown and flat brim. It is trimmed with the order insignia, white ostrich and black heron feathers, and slim cord wrapped around the base of the crown that extends to a pair of gold and royal blue tassels hanging down the side. British royal family members belonging to the order include Queen Elizabeth, who is Sovereign of the Garter, The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge, Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Princess Royal, Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. The Duke of Edinburgh, who is also a member, did not attend the service today.

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King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of Spain were appointed as Supernumerary Knights of the Garter during state visits to the UK in 2018 and 2017; their attendance at today’s ceremony saw them officially installed in these roles and they wore the full garter regalia.

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Queen Máxima wore a tall, verical saucer hat in dusky pink straw trimmed with a mass of silk flowers and curling pheasant feathers on the underside of the raised brim.

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It’s a great look for the Dutch Queen. I really the slightly darker shade of pink on the hat and adore how its lines and lush trimming play so well off Máxima’s sleek caped coat dress- the pairing of the two items is fantastic. I’d like, however to change two things about the hat- first is the angle of placement on the head (tilt the top edge down a bit so it sweeps slightly more diagonally that so vertical) and the second is to tidy up the brim binding edge. Tweak these two things and a great hat would become a complete knockout.

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Designer: unconfirmed. My guess is Fabienne Delvigne. Dress by Claes Iversen.
Previously Worn: This hat is new. Some suggest it is a reworked version of this Prinsjesdag hat but the straw bases are different shapes and colours.

Queen Letizia wore a kokoshnik-style bandeau headpiece in formed black straw, trimmed with black feathers and veil. It’s the first headpiece in this style we’ve seen on the Spanish queen and it suits her petite frame so well (not leaving the hat looking like it’s wearing her, as unfortunately is often the case). With her black and white printed dress, the headpiece tops an elegant ensemble that’s fantastic on Letizia.

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Designer: It is the “Black Peony” design from Spanish brand Cherubina
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new

The Duchess of Cornwall repeated a hat in almond straw with off-center, peaked crown and side sweeping brim. A beaded straw hatband and side twists studded with ecru silk flowers complete the design. The beaded embellishment on the hatband and side twists add a subtle but welcome bit of sparkle to the design and while the colour is quiet, the scale and style make a great signature look for Camilla.

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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: June 19, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge repeated a black sinamay hat with upturned flyaway brim in windowpane lattice straw, trimmed with a curled black an ostrich feather. The brim shape on this piece gives the design a wonderfully light and airy feel and the hat was beautifully paired with Kate’s white coat dress with black trim.

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Designer: Silvia Fletcher for Lock & Co. It is the Lion Tamer design. Coat dress by Catherine Walker.
Previously Worn: July 1, 2016;  June 11, 2011

The Countess of Wessex repeated her natural straw saucer hat with lattice open woven brim  trimmed with a large coral feathers and tan twists. The hat’s shape, reminiscent of Dior hats in the 1950s, pairs so well with her full skirted ensemble. Bright coral is not an easy hue to wear and this ensemble is beautifully balanced between the vibrant skirt and the hat’s feathers.

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Designer: Jane Taylor
Previously Worn: May 15, 2018 (it was also your favourite repeated royal hat in 2018!);  Oct 5, 2017; June 20, 2017 i

The Duchess of Gloucester repeated her slate grey straw veiled pillbox hat. It’s a quietly classic design we’ve seen on Brigitte more than a few times but one she wears well.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 18, 2018; May 19, 2018; Jun 17, 2017; Jun 1, 2017; Jul 1, 2016; Jun 12, 2016; Jun 10, 2016

Zenouska Mowatt, on the far left below, topped her blue and yellow patterned dress with a navy straw bandeau. The bandeau’s wide curving base is trimmed with silk flowers and leaves on the right side.

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Designer: I suspect it’s the “Catherine in Midnight‘ by Laura Cathcart
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new

The Order of the Garter service this year brought us a wonderful parade of hats to kick off Ascot week with a fanfare. What do you think of these hats in Windsor today? Which designs stand out most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

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Princess Anne looking great in a casual straw hat to present prizes at an eventing circuit competition held on her estate, Gatcomb Park, last Monday. She and Vice Admiral Laurence were spotted in casual sun hats, enjoying the event on Sunday.

The “nosai no gi” ceremony for Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya took place today at Princess Hisako’s home in Tokyo. This ceremony, the highlight of engagement rituals followed by the Imperial royal family, includes the exchange of special betrothal gifts (including sea breams, sake and silk) by both families and officially seals the engagement. The young couple and their surviving parents were later spotted arriving at the Imperial Palace for a visit with the Emperor and Empress, Princess Ayako in a white jacquard silk bumper hat with rosettes, braided trim and a tufts of tulle veil. Princess Hisako wore an interesting hat covered in melon-hued silk with rolled brim wrapped in white organza.

   

We can usually count on Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two-Sicilies to sport some interesting fashion during her family’s annual vacation in Saint-Tropez- while she didn’t disappoint this year, I really do like her sun hat.

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan speaking at a fundraiser for the American Alzheimer’s Association earlier this month in New York in an animal printed straw hat

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Queen Elizabeth was spotted en route to church in Scotland today in a new pale blue hat with black trim. She was joined by Princess Beatrice who looked very fashionable in a wide brimmed, dark Garbo hat. She also debuted a new cream and blue hat for church last Sunday that you won’t want to miss.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye this week:

Very happy yellow straw beret/calot from Danish milliner Susanne Juul with beautiful handmade irises
Lilac and lime statement oversize saucer with flowers from Irish milliner Carol Kennelly
Stunning black ringed headpiece with feathers from Australian brand Jill and Jack Millinery
Pink percher with impressive silk abaca trim from Liverpool milliner Tracy Miller
Lovely lace applique and flower embellishment on this red hat from Dutch milliner Maria Marcus
Beigey-pink straw boater with interesting cobweb brim from Irish milliner Edel Black
White wide brimmed straw saddle with black arrow trimmed feathers from British brand Bundle MacLaren
Textural magenta straw beret with twist from British-Australian milliner Louise Georgette
Gold lily-of-the-valley trim on a large button percher from Rachel Trevor Morgan
Watery blue and green ombre straw saucer from London-based Turkish milliner Merve Bayindir

And from Jane Fryers Millinery, this striking green and black beret base percher made of fish leather- leather made from fish skin, something that is usually discarded in the fishing industry.

 

 Royal Hats

Princess Ayako and Kei Moriya used the occasion of their “nosai no gi” engagement sealing ceremony today to release a series of sweet engagement photos (Imperial Family Of Japan)

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary shared numerous snaps of their family’s visit to the Knuthenborg Safaripark.

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Fra fredag aften til i dag har Kronprinsfamilien været på uofficiel sejlads med Kongeskibet Dannebrog rundt i Danmark. I går så Kronprinsfamilien både på giraffer og kattaer i Knuthenborg Safaripark, som var turens sidste besøg. ▶️ Knuthenborg Safaripark er Nordeuropas største safaripark med mere end 1.000 fritgående vilde dyr. Her er H.K.H. Kronprinsessen på besøg i Parkens Afrika-del. ▶️ H.K.H. Kronprinsen i safariparkens Dinosaurskov. ▶️ D.K.H. Prins Christian og Prins Vincent leder efter fossiler i Dinusauerskoven. ▶️ H.K.H. Prinsesse Isabella på besøg i Parkens lemurskov, hvor kattaen holder til. ▶️ H.K.H. Prins Vincent med en model af en tyrannosaurus rex. ▶️ H.K.H. Prinsesse Josephine med en katta. 📸 H.K.H. Kronprinsessen ©️

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RAF Centenary Part II

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While the entire British royal family attended yesterday’s service at Westminster Abbey and watched the Royal Air Force  flypast town The Mall, the group divided with half attending a Buckingham Palace reception and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent attending an RAF reception on Horse Guards Parade.

The Countess of Wessex repeated her cream striped crin hat. Built on a straw button base, this variation on a saucer shape features a wide fold that flutes the left side of the design. The hat is trimmed with grey and cream twists and a pair of black feathers.

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The streamlined colour palate on this design gives it an air of sophistication, especially paired with Sophie’s textured cream dress. It’s a great look for her.

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Designer: Jane Taylor. Dress by Suzannah
Previously Worn: Feb 4, 2018; May 10, 2016;  June 17, 2015

Princess Anne repeated a hat that’s been around the block a few times. The design features an angular, diagonal crown in almond straw with contrasting chocolate straw underbrim and tall wrap around the crown along with chocolate raw silk stacked hatbands. The piece is completed with a mass of cream and pheasant feathers.

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While hat coordinates well with Anne’s ensemble, I’m not a great fan of any of the pieces, which all look pulled from different decades. While removing those horrid chocolate gloves (bottom photo) helped immensely, the mix of overly trimmed hat, fussy jacket and pleated skirt just aren’t a winning combination. Put the hat with a streamlined chocolate shift dress and I think, it would work much better.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 10, 2016; May 20, 2016; June 19, 2015; November 19, 2007; June 2006

After her recent streak of stunning new wider brimmed hats, the Duchess of Gloucester returned to her familiar taupe straw beret hat with stem. I have to admit, the hat is a great fit for this event, its shape referencing military berets, and coordinated well with her navy coat and dress.

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Designer: unknown. I still guess Lock and Co.
Previously Worn: March 9, 2017; June 18, 2015; June 15, 2015; November 6, 2013; June 19, 2013; June 5, 2012

Princess Alexandra repeated her pale pink straw wide brimmed hat with square edged crown, trimmed with a hatband in the same striped silk as her dress and a mass of candy pink feathers. It’s a hat I think works better without Alexandra’s jacket, when the pink straw provides a bit of contrast and the hatband can link with the stripes, which are placed in multiple directions, on the dress.

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: June 28, 2018; June 15, 2010

Princess Michael of Kent repeated her wide black picture hat with shallow crown and mushroom shaped brim, trimmed with a giant black feather. It has always been a great statement hat on Marie Christine and it’s great to see her trot it out again.

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Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: June 13, 2015; September 11, 2014; June 18, 2010

The Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, Duke of Gloucester, Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all wore caps linked with their individual military ranking in the RAF while Vice Admiral Laurence was in his naval uniform (I believe he does not hold rank in the RAF, honorary or otherwise).

The event saw such a wonderful array of British royal hats- which ones stood out to you most?
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Photos from Getty as indicated