Princess Beatrice’s royal wedding insect headpiece that divided the nation

The royal family were out in force for Peter Phillips’ wedding to Harriet Sperling last weekend, but notably absent were the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who reportedly were not invited. Princess Beatrice, however, did make a surprise appearance after months of staying away from the royal spotlight 

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughter stunned in a green floral dress with a beige raffia headband by Howie Hatter. This pared-back headpiece of choice is a world away from some of the more outrageous styles the royal has sported in the past. In fact, for Peter Phillips’ first wedding to Autumn Kelly in 2008, she left fans flabbergasted with her statement look.

Can you remember Beatrice’s butterfly headpiece? The realistic-looking 3D butterflies in a rainbow of different colours made it quite the creation! It was a Philip Treacy design, an Irish milliner well known for his haute couture pieces. After the wedding, it was revealed that Beatrice’s headpiece was actually inspired by a runway headdress he had designed for Alexander McQueen’s La Dame Bleue collection. Well, she certainly turned the wedding into her own royal runway. 

Bow brilliant? 

Beatrice stole the headlines once again at another royal wedding thanks to her daring headpiece choice. In 2011, when Prince William and Kate Middleton got married at Westminster Abbey, Beatrice stepped out with a gravity-defying giant bow hat. Another Philip Treacy design, it caused a stir up and down the country, dividing the nation between those who thought it was bold and chic and those who slammed it for looking like an “octopus” or a “pretzel”. 

The designer himself once told Kirsty Young on Desert Island Discs: “It was a very modern hat and modernity is always unusual things.” The hat later sold at auction for over £80,0000. 

More royal hats

Princess Beatrice isn’t the only royal to experiment with daring hats, though, as the likes of Zara Tindall and even Princess Kate have dipped their toes into fashion-forward designs over the years.

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In 2006, Princess Kate attended the wedding of Queen Camilla’s daughter, Laura Parker-Bowles, to Harry Lopes. Kate, who wasn’t yet engaged to William at the time, opted for a feathery piece – and we must say, it’s much more out there than the designs we see the royal sport now.

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In 2007, Zara Tindall was snapped at Ascot wearing a very statement leopard print hat as she chatted away to Queen Elizabeth II.