Pippa Middleton

We're off to the 2013 Kentucky Derby races — or at least, dressing the part. Whether that actually means you're headed to Churchill Downs or rooting for your favorite horse at a friend's party, there's one accessory that will supply all the Derby chic you'll need, and that, of course, is a gorgeous hat. What better place to draw outfit (read: head gear) inspiration from than the royals abroad? Namely, Kate Middleton and her sister, Pippa, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Queen Elizabeth II. We're zeroing in on the most masterful works of hat art, courtesy of our favorite royal figures. Let this be a lesson: where royalty and the Kentucky Derby are concerned, the more dramatic the hat, the closer to heaven. Click on for all the inspiration you'll need.

Kate Middleton and Prince William joined the Middleton family for Christmas mass at St. Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, in England today. Kate wore a burgundy coat to cover any hint of a baby bump. The duchess and prince broke from tradition to spend Christmas with her family instead of the royals. Pippa, Carol, James, and Michael Middleton all joined Kate and William for the service. Queen Elizabeth II gave her traditional annual speech on Tuesday as well, though this time around it was actually broadcast in 3D. Prince Harry is spending the holiday in Afghanistan with British troops.

Kate has been laying low since announcing her pregnancy and hospitalization for severe morning sickness earlier in December. Kate did attend a pre-Christmas lunch with William last week, though the couple chose to skip the other official celebrations in order to be more relaxed with her family. The royal baby on the way is currently your number-two headline of the year in our biggest celebrity story of 2012 bracket, second only to President Obama's reelection.

Prince William visited his wife, Kate Middleton, in a London hospital today for the third morning in a row. Kate checked into the hospital on Monday, seeking treatment for acute morning sickness, known as hyperemesis gravidarum. Later on in the afternoon, Kate's siblings James and Pippa Middleton stopped by to see her as well.

Yesterday, a palace official confirmed that she is responding well to treatment. Now, William and Kate are thinking about their future and are deciding where to raise the heir to the British throne. Current options include staying at their current home in Wales, or moving nearer to their families in England.

Officials at King Edward VII's Hospital are in hot water today after staff members fell for an Australian radio hoax. Two hosts from Down Under, pretending to be royals, connected to Kate's private nurses and retrieved private information about her condition. A King Edward VII spokesperson said today, "This call was transferred through to a ward and a short conversation was held with one of the nursing staff. King Edward VII's Hospital deeply regrets this incident."

Celebrities worked a number of noteworthy trends — fancy sneakers, tuxedo pants, colorblocked dresses — in 2012, but colored denim was the one fad that trumped them all. Hollywood trendsetters like Jessica Alba, who was dubbed the colored-jean queen by her stylist Brad Goreski, Jordana Brewster, and Olivia Palermo were just a few fashion mavens to don this bold denim style, showcasing the trend's versatility for both casual and evening events. Cruise through to see which other fashionistas were spotted rocking rainbow-hued bottoms this year, then score a pair for yourself to instantly amp up your closet staples.