If there's one fashion item the royals know how to do well, it's hats.
From feathery fascinators to boaters to pillboxes, the versatility of the hat cannot be understated.
Over the years, we've seen creative and colourful looks at events like royal weddings, Ascot and Cheltenham. Headwear can either be a simple accessory, or the main event.
© GettyThe trend for smaller, more delicate headpieces dates back to the Victorian times, but it wasn't until 1950s New York, a time where a woman couldn't leave the house without a hat and gloves, that fascinators began to really take off.
Hat designer John P. John, now almost unheard of, was once the Christian Dior of headwear.
According to the New York Times: "In the 1940's and 1950's, the name Mr. John was as famous in the world of hats as Christian Dior was in the realm of haute couture. At a time when other milliners were piling on flowers, feathers and tulle, Mr. John was stripping hats naked, relying on pure shape for effect."
© Silver Screen CollectionHe designed hats for Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Vivian Leigh, called smaller hats 'fascinators', and paved the way for two royal-approved milliners, Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy, to conceptualise the modern fascinator as it exists today.
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as she was then, propelled the fascinator to global fame in 2012. The variety of headpieces were the fashion focus of the moment, with Princess Beatrice's blush pink fascinator briefly becoming the most talked-about hat in the world.
Milliner Jane Taylor of Jane Taylor London has designed hats worn by the Duchess of Edinburgh, Pippa Middleton, Rita Ora, and Zara Tindall.
She told HELLO!: "Headwear for any formal event should elegantly accentuate you and your whole look. For events such as the races where you can have a little more fun, opt for a hat that plays on colour or shape to lift your look. Not both or your look will have a novelty feel to it which is not recommended.
© Getty"More formal events choose a neater shape such as a pillbox, halo, moonband or neatly trimmed brimmed hat. We never use the F word here! Fascinators are really another word for headpiece. These should work with the shape of your facial proportions and especially focus on a tone of your outfit that suits your skin colouring. We often hand dye a particular tone to enhance our clients' features and finish the look perfectly."
Here are some of the best headpieces we've seen from royals over the years...
© GettyPrincess Beatrice, Royal Wedding 2011
Possibly the most iconic royal headwear look of all time, Princess Beatrice wore this blush-pink Phillip Treacy hat to the wedding of Princess Kate and Prince William in 2011.
The designer told Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs: "It was a very modern hat and modernity is always unusual things."
The fabulous hat later sold at auction for £81,100.01.
Princess Eugenie also sports a feathery headpiece by the same designer, complementing her blue outfit.
© Michel PorroFeathery fabulousness, 2004
The former Queen of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix, attends the wedding of her son Prince Johan Friso to Mabel Wisse Smit. Her vibrant, feathery hat is a fun and eye-catching accessory to this blue look.
Regal in pink, 2018
Queen Camilla wore this incredible blush pink feathered headpiece for the wedding of her stepson Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.
© GettyNature-inspired, 2011
It's two for one in this shot of Princess Kate and Queen Camilla in attendance at the wedding of Zara and Mike Tindall, both drawing on the natural world for their headpieces.
The Princess of Wales is wearing a floral fascinator in a pale yellow, while the Queen has a light green headpiece with leaf and flower details.
© GettyAutumn inspired, 2021
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands sports this intricate, leaf-detail hat reminiscent of autumn on an official visit to Berlin. Her hair is also beautifully arranged to complement her eye-catching headwear.
A York Affair, 2018
Princess Beatrice opts for a much more understated look, matching her headband to her dress at the wedding of her sister, Princess Eugenie, to Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle.
Sarah, Duchess of York also matches her hat to her dress as she wears this teal hat with a wing-like design.
© GettyStately visits, 2018
Queen Maxima proves again that she has the head for hats, donning this neat black fascinator for a state visit to the UK, matching the black accents on her pink dress.
© GettyRacing day chic, 2021
This stunning asymmetrical hat served the dual purpose of looking stylish and keeping the sun off the Duchess of Edinburgh.
© GettyCountry style, 2018
Lady Louise Windsor laughs with mum Sophie as they're spotted carriage driving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Lady Louise's hat has plenty of country and hunting references, from the forest green colour to the carefully arranged feathers.
© GettySharp silhouettes, 2023
Both the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess of Wales favoured sharp, minimalistic fascinators for last year's Ascot, each matching their hats to their dresses.
© GettyEarly Kate, 2006
The Princess's style has certainly evolved over the years. This throwback is from the wedding of Laura Parker-Bowles to Harry Lopes in 2006, before she was even engaged to Prince William!
© GettyA rose among thorns, 2011
Princess Madeleine of Sweden opted for a more minimalist headpiece at the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco to Charlene Wittstock, with a simple rose and feather accessorising her outfit.
© GettyAscot ready, 2023
The late Queen's granddaughter chose a striking green hat with ribbon details for Ascot.
© GettyQueen of feathers, 2012
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attends the wedding of Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg, wearing this striking feathery headpiece.
© GettyLeopard print moment, 2007
Zara Tindall smiles wide as she joins the late Queen at Ascot. This bold leopard print look was sure to make her stand out from a crowd!
