The Imperial Royal Family celebrated Emperor Akihito’s 80th birthday yesterday with an appearance on the balcony of the Imperial Palace.
Crown Princess Masako repeated a pale blue Breton style hat with flat crown and rolled brim, made in the same monochrome printed silk as her tailored dress. It’s a demure hat that looks quite good on her, especially with her hair back in a lovely chignon as she was wearing it today.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Dec. 9, 2010; Dec. 22, 2009; Dec 23, 2005
Princess Kiko repeated her mint green pillbox hat. Her daughter, the Emperor’s oldest grandchild Princess Mako, wore a bumper hat with tightly upfolded brim (that, from the front, looks like a pillbox) in bright turquoise. I thought this hat, paired with her side swept hair and pearl jewelry, looked marvelously retro-chic on her. The vibrant colour made it my favourite of the day.
Designers: unknown
Princess Kiko’s Previous Wearing: December 23, 2006
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan, Yuya Shinto/Reuters via Paris Match and BestImage via Pure People
Royal Hats 
I just love how the Japanese princesses wear a lot of pillbox hats! Not many of the other princesses wear them.
I love them all, but Princess Kiko is my favorite. Very elegant.
They all look lovely! Happy Birthday Emperor Akihito!
Good to see Masako out and about again. They all look lovely, and I love the pillbox hats. very elegant. thank you