On Christmas Day, Queen Elizabeth wore this black fur hat.
Several of you emailed to let me know it was not a new hat and that the Queen had worn it back in 2009 with a magenta coat.
The shape of these hats, however, looked very different to me. Some of you argued that it looked different because the Queen was wearing it higher on her head or that the fur had been brushed in a different direction. It took a little bit of digging until I found the following photo (taken on Christmas Day 2002), confirming the two hats are indeed different.
This hat was obviously made to coordinate with the Queen’s magenta and black coat. I don’t know the designer of this hat but it’s previous outings include: February 3, 2009; December 11, 2008; October 19, 2006; February 20, 2004; December 25, 2002
That leaves the hat she wore on Christmas Day this year… which I believe is the same one she wore back in February 2005. These are the only two times I can find the Queen wearing this hat- if you know of any others, please share them with us!. On a side note- you’ll note that the jewelry worn on these two occasions is identical!
Update: Reader George A graciously shared a photo he took in January 1997 at Sandringham. It does appear to be the same hat paired with a different coat. All three of these hats share a unique ‘peak’ in the center which makes me think they are the same hat.
Photos from Chris Jackson/Getty via Zimbio and Zimbio; Tim Graham via Getty; Anwar Hussein via Getty and offered personally from George A.
Royal Hats 
love the pictures of HM in various hats.She looks stunning for a 90 yr old. And why not, she is the Queen.
The other interesting factor here is the fur cuffs, as on the persimmon colored coat they appear to match the hat perfectly. Makes one wonder if perhaps they have had incarnations on other coats as well. (perhaps the same as the
scarlet coat mentioned by Mr GeorgeA) Sometimes with fur collar added, or not. It would certainly make more sense that the hat and cuffs matched exactly than just by serendipity. MrFitzroy isnt convinced the 2005 hat is the same, the fur looks quite different across HM forehead, but perhaps as another commenter stated it is just a difference in the brushing/styling of the hat.
I don’t know much about these things but it really looks to me that the cuffs are the same and have been moved from coat to coat.
No reason not to move the cuffs. If one has all those seamstresses on the payroll, why not move the cuffs? (unless the original outfit shows up in its entirety again, of course!)
I’m sorry to add to the fur hat mystery, but I believe the recent christmas day ‘bearskin’ dates back to January 1997. I saw the Queen wearing it to church at Sandringham, although no cameras or press were allowed in the church grounds. I do have a fairly poor quality shot of her in the car which I’ll try to email so it can be shared on here. HM wore the hat with a scarlet coat with a huge black fur collar and cuffs. As far as I’m aware, she only wore it on a couple of low key occasions in the late 1990s, which is a shame because it looked stunning up close. The hat then reappeared with the green coat several years later.
In my own opinion, the 2002 fur hat is well-made as includes magenta features to coordinate.with the outfit. While the 2005 one on the green outfit and the orange one this Christmas appeared to make the image of 2 separate pieces putting together with each other. The green and the orange colours are too strong, rich and deep but I think with little black features on the front of the outfit (especially for the one this Christmas) would make the look more well-coordinated.
The black fur hat for the magenta outfit obviously has its own magenta topknot. I’ve always liked that outfit. I wish there had been aerial views of the black hat with the green coat.
The black hat with the green coat appeared in February 2005, as far as I can determine; the green hat replacement showed up by February 2006. (There were no fur cuffs on that outfit, I believe.) It’s certainly possible, therefore, that the hat for Christmas 2013 is a repeat of the hat worn in 2005. But this is not in the Queen’s character to repeat a hat with a new outfit. Where was it stored — with the green coat, along with the newer green hat, now moved to the orange/persimmon coat? For most people, possible; for the queen of England, well, – — – — .
My hope, as I stated on the 25th, is that this (new?) black hat will replaced with an orange cloth hat, with or without the black fur cuffs on the coat. I find it hard to concentrate on the Christmas 2013 outfit with a big black ball of fur on the Queen’s head, although I admit the effect of the whole outfit is noteworthy.
I actually like both hats in all of their different renditions. I think they have a softening effect and look very becoming on HM. I love it when she wears these fur hats. Any idea if they’re fake or real?
I prefer a hat with a brim on Her Majesty. I do like the hat better with the green outfit than with the orange one.
I’d wager this orange coat had a hat to go with it… She just fancied getting her bearskin out. And I’d reckon too that the lovely magenta one will be remade; it’s oft quoted that fur and lace get reused. I like the Queen in fur, after all if the Queen can’t wear it then who can!
the green coat with qreen hat http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/assets/images/pressreleases/2006_Queen_pr.jpg
so, the black hat wasn’t created for this coat
And the origin of this hat gets even more interesting….
The green hat you cited looks like a Frederick Fox design.
Interesting post! Do you think the cuffs on HM’s coat are the same?
It reminds me of Trooping the Colour and the bearskin hats! HM always manages to look wonderful and regal.