Props to lovely reader Eliza for letting me know that our dear Vic and Dan were touring Bernadotte sites in France as a part of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Swedish royal dynasty.  And, in honor of the big occasion, Victoria pulled off a rare -- and some might argue inadvisable -- bow two-fer!

Which do you prefer?  This lovely black velvet bow, which Victoria has clearly stolen, via time machine, from my bathroom hair barrette collection, circa 1989?

Or this lovely white bow, crafted by summer campers using hot glue and shoestrings?  (And eerily reminiscent of this business from her pre-wedding events...)

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Bob Edme/Pool, LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images

I have combed the MH archives in vain searching for this beautiful headpiece -- I could have sworn we'd seen Mary in it before!  I just adore this.  It's a great color for Mary -- looks lovely in her dark hair -- and it's a great, interesting shape.  I love it!

Also: penguins!

PHOTO CREDITS: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Clearly -- clearly -- this is some sort of spawn of an unholy union forged between a wayward, roguish cake hat and a coquettish fascinator.  Where are the royal hat closet security guards these days????

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

How fab does Miss Margriet look here?  I love love love this chocolatey bronze color -- it coordinates with her hair without also looking like some unfortunate outcropping.  It's a little frivilous, but it works.  Bravo!

PHOTO CREDITS: PPE

Basically, this year, nothing was going to be able to top the Warrior Princess headband that Laurentien donned last year for the state opening of parliament.  But I'm so underwhelmed by this.  There are feathers.  There are flowers.  There's an ill-fitting jacket.  There's an unfortunate ketchup-and-mustard, Ronald McDonald vibe happening with the outfit and sash.  Eh.

PHOTO CREDITS: PPE

What is it about Máx and Prinsjesdag?  Since I started covering the event, she's just done absolutely no wrong in the hattery department -- and this year is no exception.

How gorgeous is this?  Unusual but interesting shape - check!  Neutral yet regal and almost pearly color - check!  Jaunty angle - check!

(I do slightly question the decision to use caramel corn as jacket trim, though.  Bird city!)

PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Jerry Lampen

Now, I know Prince Charles is all about green living and repurposing, but was it really necessary to make Camilla's (unfortunately ill-fitting) new hat double as a weather vane?

PHOTO CREDITS: Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/Getty Images

I don't know if my crazy spell at work recently has sapped all my hattery stores of knowledge -- but could this be a new topper from our dear Liz, brought out specially for the big fancy papal visit?

I quite like the overall idea, but what's with the double-decker business?

PHOTO CREDITS: Dylan Martinez - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Oh, no -- my fuzzy nemesis is back!

And by fuzzy nemesis, clearly I mean Peach Fuzz, not Lil.  Is it possible that it has gotten even fuzzier and more Muppet-like since its last outing???  The color is still great on HM, who looks smiley and fab (except for, erm, that lipstick she seems to have gotten on her royal chompers), but good lord, give the hat a haircut!

PHOTO CREDITS: Andrew Milligan-WPA Pool/Getty Images

A quick note: It's the beginning of the semester, and I've been absolutely swamped with work this week -- I've been getting all of your lovely e-mails, and I'll try to do a larger update this weekend when I get a little breather time.  Thanks so much for your continued interest in the blog -- just wanted to give everyone a little heads up!

And now ... on to the Tiara Alert!  (Because I knew if there was one thing you kids would want in a post, it's a tiara!)

Henri and MT headed to Portugal for a state visit this week, and Maria Teresa wore brand-new (to her) tiara!  This is Joséphine-Charlotte's Emerald and Diamond Tiara, a stunner with a sort of peacock-like motif, made by Van Cleef and Arpels.  The tiara was a wedding present to the late Grand Duchess J-C from her husband, Grand Duke Jean.

It's a fabulous piece, but I can't say I like the combo of emeralds and this coral-colored gown.  It would be a knockout with a blue, purple, or black dress, I think -- but this just doesn't work -- it's Sonja at Vic's wedding all over again!  (But not quite that horrendous, obviously!)

PHOTO CREDITS: presidencia.pt