Monegasque National Day 2011: HRH The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco
![Monegasque National Day 2011: HRH The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco (19 Nov 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-1119-monaco-caroline3.jpg)
Hey, Caroline? Debbie Gibson's on the phone for you ... you know what she wants.
PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
bringing you the very best in ridiculous royal hats
![Monegasque National Day 2011: HRH The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco (19 Nov 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-1119-monaco-caroline3.jpg)
Hey, Caroline? Debbie Gibson's on the phone for you ... you know what she wants.
PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
![Monegasque National Day 2011: HRH Princess Alexandra of Hanover (19 Nov 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: ERIC GAILLARD/AFP/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-1119-monaco-alexandra.jpg)
There wasn't a whole lot of competition in the "best hat" category at this year's National Day in Monaco, but I think the little figure-skating princess from Hanover may have won me over on the day. Simple, age-appropriate, and adorable.
As an aside: am I the only one who can't believe that Philip Treacy et al haven't been able to draw the ladies Monegasque princely family over to the dark side of ridiculous fascinators? I mean, if anyone could unironically rock some of the sea-creature-esque creations coming out of the British hat industry, it's Stéphanie and Charlotte, right? Time to tap into this goldmine of a market, milliners...
PHOTO CREDITS: ERIC GAILLARD/AFP/Getty Images

A brand-new princess needs a brand-new tiara, doesn't she? Charlene may not have worn a tiara proper to her wedding, but she pulled out a modern and rather intriguing new tiara for tonight's reception. This is the Baumer Aigrette Tiara, made by Lorenz Baumer. Here's another look at the tiara itself. It's a small and unusual piece, but I like it!
Charlene actually got two tiaras for her wedding -- she also now owns a diamond-and-sapphire Van Cleef & Arpels tiara that can be converted into a necklace. It features a "wave" design ... perfect for an Olympic swimmer! ![]()

A tiara for Caroline! I was worried that we wouldn't see any tiaras on the Monegasque princesses, because the family's collection is currently in a traveling exhibit, but Caro managed to show up with a sparkler anyway. This is what we'll call the Sapphire Necklace Tiara, because -- surprise, surprise! -- this tiara is a convertible piece more often worn as a necklace. I think it's lovely this way, though. Substantial, modern, and gorgeous. Hooray!
![Prince Albert's Wedding: HSH The Princess of Monaco (02 Jul 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-0702-monaco-charlene5.jpg)
I bet y'all thought I had a cow today when Charlene showed up to her royal wedding without a tiara on, didn't you? Ha! Actually, though, I have to admit that I think I like this look better than I would have if they'd tried to fit a tiara into the hairstyle. The veil is gorgeous, the hair is sleek and beautiful, and we still had some bling!
![Prince Albert's Wedding: HSH The Princess of Monaco (02 Jul 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Sean Gallup/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-0702-monaco-charlene3.jpg)
The diamond floral ornaments in Charlene's hair are apparently a set of antique brooches dating from the nineteenth century. Rumor has it that they belong to Princess Caroline, who loaned them to her sister-in-law for her wedding day. A lovely gesture!
And a beautiful bride, too. Monaco has found itself a new star!
PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool, Sean Gallup/Getty Images
![Prince Albert's Wedding: Miss Charlotte Casiraghi (02 Jul 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: bekia.es]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-0702-monaco-charlotte2.jpg)
Charlotte Casiraghi: International Non-Princess Woman of Mystery! Coming next year to a cinema near you.
Seriously, Char, what the heck is this??? I know Uncle Karl is one scary dude, but you don't actually have to wear everything he makes for you!
PHOTO CREDITS: bekia.es
![Prince Albert's Wedding: HRH The Princess of Hanover, Hereditary Princess of Monaco (02 Jul 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-0702-monaco-caroline.jpg)
I see that Caroline's over-sized hat protest continues, LOL! ![]()
(Just kidding -- and I actually really like this hat, even in its exaggerated size. It's just such a classic summer wedding hat! Also, hey, Stéphanie? WEAR SOME HATS.)
PHOTO CREDITS: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
![Prince Albert's Civil Wedding: HRH The Princess of Hanover (01 Jul 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Vogue Spain]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-0701-monaco-caroline.jpg)
LOLLLLLLLLL! Please, allow me to translate this hattery for you all:
"FINE. I will GO to this civil wedding, even though the whole thing is turning into a CIRCUS, because I'm GRACE KELLY'S DAUGHTER and I am civilized and elegant. But EVERYONE should know that I'm only giving up the First Lady of Monaco role under EXTREME DURESS. And I'm still the HEREDITARY PRINCESS of this joint until these two pop out an heir. NO ONE SHOULD EVEN TRY TO STAND CLOSE TO ME."
Caroline of Monaco: I salute you!
PHOTO CREDITS: Vogue Spain
![Prince William's Wedding: Miss Charlene Wittstock (29 Apr 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: Chris Jackson/Getty Images]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-0429-monaco-charlene2.jpg)
She won't be royal for a few more months yet, but Charlene looked like a princess already at the royal wedding. Or at least a doll -- I swear, my Garden Party Wedding Barbie had a hat just like this one circa 1986! (And that's not really a negative thing -- I loved that Barbie!)
![Funeral of Princess Antoinette: HRH Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Miss Charlotte Casiraghi (24 Mar 2011) [PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool]](http://madhattery.royalroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2011-0324-monaco-alexandracharlotte.jpg)
All four of Princess Caroline's children also attended their great-aunt's funeral. Charlotte (who, incidentally, is named for Rainier and Antoinette's mother, Princess Charlotte -- Alexandra also has Charlotte as a middle name in honor of her) chose a beautiful lace veil similar to those worn by her mother and her aunt. Alexandra's white lace veil is lovely and still age-appropriate; traditionally, mourning attire for children (like Alexandra) was white or gray rather than black.
PHOTO CREDITS: REUTERS/Lionel Cironneau/Pool