Princess Beatrice and the hat that launched a Facebook page [Poll] [Updated to include, um, commentary]
This post has been corrected. See the note below for details.
Oh, Princess Beatrice -- the hat she presumably thought was a lovely choice for Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding turned out to be a royal disaster, prompting the scorn of thousands of Facebook users. Their hate wasn't necessarily for all hats, but rather specifically for the one perched Friday on Beatrice's high-profile head.
The 22-year-old took a risk donning headgear that many thought would be more appropriate for Lady Gaga, and the risky hat choice quickly backfired for her on Facebook. Witness the emergence of "Princess Beatrice's ridiculous Royal Wedding hat," a group dedicated to her headgear that had received more than 18,000 "likes" just hours after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Has any topper since Aretha Franklin's unforgettable inauguration hat seen such biting abuse?
Picture gallery: Royal wedding hats
Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, stepped out at the fairy tale wedding in a sculptured ribbon topper made by London milliner Philip Treacy, a native of Ireland who trimmed the tops of dozens of guests at the wedding including Victoria Beckham, Zara Phillips and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
But when the hat-crowned Beatrice and her sister Princess Eugenie, 21, emerged from their ride, one comparison rang clear: The evil "Cinderella" stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella had arrived.
"She paired that disgusting hat with HORRIBLE make-up! The racoon eyes have to go! Not a fan of Eugenia's dress either! I'm sure these girls can consult a stylist, but maybe they should start with a mirror!" wrote Tara Noe Armstrong.
"Later she sets the hoop on her hat on fire and has little tigers jump through it for the amusement of the guests at the reception," added Colleen Fagan.
"I am a fan of Philip Treacy and I loves me some crazy hats ... but Princess Beatrice's hat wasn't the best choice for a wedding -- anyone's wedding. Anything THAT high shouldn't be that solid. It is reminiscent of overdone fondant icing -- only beige. Ew...Anyway, I do respect Bea for recycling and wearing her grandma's 1961 theatre coat. {*stifled giggles*}," mused Richard Ian Tracy.
Rough -- but not as rough on the hat as the hat was on the eyes. What'd you think of Bea's headgear? Hot or hot mess? Tell us in comments.
[Updated, 3:30 p.m. April 29, 2011: At 3 p.m. PDT Friday, just 12 hours after the royal wedding ceremony began, the Beatrice-hat Facebook page had reached more than 35,000 likes and counting. Our MOG readers had quite a few pithy words to add to the conversation as well. Here's a sampling; check out comments to see them all, or add your own.
J Crowley: Pretty sure that thing's a Stargate
shirley zager: She looks like a raccoon that mated with an octopus.
EC Hudson: It wasn't any more ridiculous that anyone else's hat - and it could double as a fun wedding reception game (toss a canape thru the loop).
John: I am currently at the eye doctor hoping he can restore my sight since I was blinded by Beatrice's bloody hat !!!!
lynn Roberts: Do they live in a house without mirrors?
Rick Baker: Those Brits like them some crazy hats, which actually is kind of unique and cool but that thing looks like the hood ornament on Santa's sleigh.
Sylvia Ubych: I thought she was a dear but when I saw the hat I thought she was more like a deer!]
[For the record, 5:32 p.m. April 29: This post originally referred to Philip Treacy as a British milliner. Though Treacy operates out of London, he was born in Ireland. Thanks to commenter @carl for flagging the gaffe.]
RELATED:
Photos: Festive royal wedding hats
Kate and William kiss on the balcony: two smooches, one happy crowd [Video]
-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad
Photos: Princess Eugenie, top left, and Princess Beatrice made a fashion statement upon arrival at Westminster Abbey for the royal wedding ceremony. Beatrice's hat almost needed an invitation of its own, right, and within hours had a Facebook page of its own. Hmm -- it didn't look so risky when the ladies, bottom left, were still in the car. Credits: Ian Langsdon / EPA, top; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, right; Dan Kitwood / Getty Images, left.
I can't even post a decent comment because I have so many tears in my eyes laughing at what you all have already posted. You people are HILARIOUS!
Posted by: Dawn | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Designed by NASA, but NASA won't confirm or deny it. It does pick up radio signals quite well, especially AM radio.
The Brits should bag the "hats." Just go without the "hats."
Posted by: Dave Fairburn | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:48 PM
Reminds me of Cinderella and the Two ugly Step Daughters.
Lady's here is a Tip, Stop listening to Lady Gagas Fashion advice and Do something good. My Friend who Lives next Door has done better than what your Wearing and She's 17! That say's a lot when 2 grown "Step-Sisters" Can't even wear something Decent so they make something that Make's everyone put Eyes on them.
Posted by: Tommy | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:49 PM
I likes Beatrice's dress and coat. Very elegant and a decent color for a ginger, nice for her figure. Good choice there, and the shoes as well. But the hat! Comments at work have ranged from "Dr. Seuss inspired" to "Did she think Kate was going to throw her bouquet and wanted to give her a target to aim at?" Plus, someone as fair as she is needs to lay off the black eyeliner and really dark shadow. She can still do a smokey eye that doesn't look as though she's trying to cover a beating.
Eugenie...she didn't do much better. Te jacket looked too tight and the horizontal ribbons and bows made her look wider that she is, and did nothing for her curvy figure. The folded hem on the skirt with the slightly pouffy look was very 80s. The blue color was lovely with her skin, but the jacket just looked garish. Her makeup was much more in keeing with her skin tone, but still...lay off the black eyeliner. That much makes your eyes look small, and the color of them is lost.
Posted by: Kiki | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:50 PM
How can she dress like that when she has money that is just sad. I don't have a house on the hamptons or a super nice ride but even I know how stupid her outfit looked.
Posted by: DianA | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:50 PM
It's the only hat we're talking about isn't it? I thought it was great fun.
Posted by: Irene Davenport | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:50 PM
All I can say is: ATROCIOUS!
Posted by: Katie | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:52 PM
Ok, so the hat makes her looks a bit like Bambi after his antlers came in;....however, the point is, you'll REMEMBER THAT HAT long after you've forgotten all the more subdued ones on the other guests.... & maybe even after the details of the bridal gown begin to fade in your mind.
So, in her own way, Beatrice wins. For a different occasion, I think the hat would be charming: it's certainly original, but for the wedding of the future King & Queen of England, that hat is just a "little over the top". (pun intended)
Posted by: Swayze | Apr 29, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Bowl of blueberries inside a bird of paradice beak... and... to top it off an ant on crack
Posted by: vikki | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:02 PM
All I can say is...where is Cinderella? These 2 could play her evil step sisters in a movie!
Posted by: Doug | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:04 PM
you paid money for those HATS, REALLLY ?????????????????????
BUTT UGLY hats young ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lady jane | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:05 PM
I am across the pond from these fellows in the states, but I wish we did anything as awesome as this just once in a while. I love this fun expression of individuality and really just straying away from the norm. It is harmless fun that looks unique and has a certain vibe to it that is nice.
I think it would have been funny though if Kate had gotten cold feet and then all these people would be standing around with these ridiculous hats for a non festive celebration.
Posted by: BobbyRay | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Little Princess Beatroot might have carried the hat off, IF her hair had been more architectural behind it. A little cleverer make-up job would've helped too. Did'nt see much of her dress, judging solely be the choices she made above the shoulders...well, it couldn't have helped much.
Posted by: CharliReit | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Poor thing. Blame the milliner!
Posted by: ShakyBetty | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Those hats were payback for Fergie not getting invited.
Posted by: Sharon | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:21 PM
No mirrors where they live? And Eugenie's hat looks like something gave birth on top of it!
Posted by: Bluejeans | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:29 PM
It looks like a big door knocker for a front door. Knock, knock, anyone home?
Posted by: Knock Knock | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:31 PM
She stepped out and did something different. Come on all you haters, it's an amazing hat! I saw so many boring, same same but different looking people in the crowd that it was almost yawn worthy. She may not have looked 'great' by all typical sense, and it was a little outrageous but wasn't that the whole point! It was a royal wedding, come on people! Lighten up!
Posted by: Rozzie | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:34 PM
THAT hat my fellow humans - is a tribute to those peoples who were previous subjects of the once far-flung British Empire. I have seen indigenous tribesmen in remote parts of New Guinea highlands wearing much the same type of headwear - Phillip Treacy isn't original with this one!!
Posted by: Kerry Swinnerton | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Baby Huey has filed a lawsuit demanding his pacifier back.
Posted by: JFD8 | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:49 PM
these two cows look absolutely terrible. But all this press and hoopla is exactly what they and their ugly cow of a mother wanted. It was all orchestrated to take attention away from the wedding and focus on them. Fugly Fergie was not invited to the wedding, so this is sour grapes. Prince Andrew should have slapped those hats right off of their buck-toothed heads. Absolutely awful!!!
Posted by: yeahright | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Oh, jeez, heaven forbid anyone have any fun!
Well done girls!
Fab.
Posted by: Michele | Apr 29, 2011 at 08:58 PM
I'll bet the homeless woman that was invited dressed more elegantly. Obviously Princess Bea was looking for attention.
Posted by: RioGrandeValley | Apr 29, 2011 at 09:03 PM
This is a crazy hat, but it's no worse than some of the Derby Day hats seen at Churchill Downs in May.
Posted by: Elaine | Apr 29, 2011 at 09:08 PM
I might be alone here, but I LOVED the hat. She was obviously trying to stand out amongst a sea of hats and fancy wear, and she DID.
It takes a lot of lady balls to pull that off, and I think she did!
Posted by: Olivia | Apr 29, 2011 at 09:10 PM