Queen Elizabeth’s birthday weekend got off to a winning start today when her horse, Sign Manual, won the 4.15 race at The Dubai Duty Free Raceday held at Newbury Racecourse. Shown here with with her racing manager John Warren and horse trainer Michael Bell, there were a few tense moments before victory was assured.
The Queen celebrated her win with jockey Hayley Turner and wore a perma-smile for the rest of the afternoon. I wish I could be as happy about her hat as I am about her horse’s win. I love the brown straw crown with diagonal top and pleated band around it. I’m just not a fan of the tweed brim, the gigantic Medusa button and head-on collision of messy feathers. The Queen has worn this hat and matching coat many times since its debut on Christmas Day in 2007. I think she should go out on top and retire it with this win. What do you think – keep it or retire it?
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Royal Hats 
The hat and feathers are great. It’s just that weird Medusa button. I really like that the inside of the brim is the same material as her coat. That’s neat.
medusa button!! good one. hat’s great without that weird button.
I love this hat from the side (in the photo with the jockie). From the front it’s not as good.
Medusa? Do you mean Cyclops?!
What a wonderful way for the Queen to begin celebrating her 87th birthday.
I so happy queen wins the racing and nice hats.
It’s not a flattering hat. It’s just too busy. At least she won the horse race!
I LOVE this hat!
I do too. It’s lovely with her coat. And who cares how many times she’s worn it or how old it is?
Bloody marvellous! (the win not the hat)
It’s excellent that a female jockey won for the Queen!!
This has got to be one of the most visually interesting hats I’ve ever seen! It must be inspired by an owl! I love it. …and it can only be worn with that coat, tying in with the fabric and buttons.
Inspired by an owl? An owl that flew into a fan maybe.
sorree but gotta h8 on those feathers
Its so classy how the queen’s coat matches her hat with the same fabrick on the brim. Thats how you know its made custom for her by a designer by the same fabrick on the hat as on her coat. And those big button’s are so eye catching. I love the feathers and I just love the shape of the top of the hat. This hat is a winner just like the queen is today! LOL!