2013 Hat Wrap-Up: Your Favourite Hats This Year

As we come to the end of 2013, the first full calendar year here on The Royal Hats Blog, I want to hear which royal hat this year was your favourite, as well as your least favourite. I also want to hear about what hat or trend relating to royal  hats was most memorable and stood out most this year.

We’re going to start with your favourite. In the comments, tell us which hat was your favourite this year and why. If possible, please include a link to the post here on the Royal Hats Blog that featured that hat so others can link over to see it. I usually don’t edit comment but will add in these links if needed. We’ll keep this conversation going until next Thursday, when we look at our least favourites.

I don’t want to influence your choices but here are some of my favourite royal hats of 2013.Click on each photo to link back to the original post for designer and photo credit information.

 

 

  

  Queen Máxima, Nov. 9, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

 

Photos from Samir HusseinMax Mumby/Indigo, AFP,  Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty; Leif Ernst, Max Mumby/Indigo, Mark Cuthbert, Max Mumby/Indigo, WPA Pool and Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; RTL Nieuws

Designer Interview: Rachel Trevor Morgan

Royal Hats Blog Rachel Trevor Morgan has emerged in recent years as one of the premiere hat designers in Britain. One of Queen Elizabeth’s milliners since 2006, her hats have also graced the heads of The Duchess of Cambridge, The Countess of Wessex, Lady Serena Armstrong-Jones and Princess Alexandra of Kent (to name a few). Last year she was interviewed by the Telegraph last year and the interview gives a both a lovely introduction to this talented designer as well as great insight into her design process.

Last week, we looked at some modifications The Queen has made to her hats. Rachel Trevor Morgan states in this interview, “The Queen does have her opinions about what the hat should be like and whether it’s working or not… she will say if something is not right.” I think that answers our wondering about who decides when one of the Queen’s hats needs to be modified!

I hope you enjoy “meeting” this talented designer today!

Queen Elizabeth, June 14, 2011 in Rachel Trevor Morgan | The Royal Hats Blog   Queen Elizabeth, June 13, 2012 in Rachel Trevor Morgan | The Royal Hats Blog

Queen Elizabeth in two Rachel Trevor Morgan hats at Ascot, June 14, 2011 and on her Jubilee Tour, June 13, 2012

Photos from Chris Jackson via Zimbio and Chris Jackson via Zimbio 

Princess Benedikte Celebrates Care Home Anniversary

Princess Benedikte of Denmark attended the 40th anniversary of the Aktivitetscenter Benediktehjemmets (Care and Recreation Benedict Home) in Asminderød, Fredensborg today. For this event, Benedikte repeated her jewel purple wool trilby hat. I think this hat is very chic on Benedikte but I am scratching my own head wondering why it was paired with this magenta suit. I suppose this is one way to combat the winter blahs but I am feeling a little accosted by the colour punch in this ensemble.

2013-12-03 care home anniversary 1 2013-12-03 care home anniversary 2 2013-12-03 care home anniversary 3

A lovely side note- one of the residents of this care home was a former guard at Fredensborg Palace. He remembered Princess Benedikte from her childhood days and the two exchanged memories about each other. Quite sweet, really.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: March 8, 2013

Photos from Allan Nørre Overgaard

Japanese Imperial Couple in India

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at a ceremony welcoming them to India yesterday. The Empress wore a new hat- a large (much larger than usual!) white saucer hat trimmed with a large green leaf and pink flower petals. I was very pleased to see her in something with such a large brim.

Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Embed from Getty Images

Later in the day, the Imperial couple visited Jawaharlal Nehru University. This hat also appears to be a new one, although exactly the same shape of saucer (with slightly upturned rim at the back) as these two grey saucer hats. This hat was trimmed with a fabric flower in the same charcoal grey fabric as Michiko’s tailored suit.

Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Dec. 2, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photos from Hindustan Times, Raveendran, and Prakash Singh via Getty; AFP and AFP

Japanese Imperial Couple Arrive in India

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in India on Saturday for their first visit in over 50 years. Empress Michiko unveled a new hat and outfit for her arrival; the hat was one of her regular petite saucers, this time in cream, with a cream and beige hounds tooth check flat bow. Her hat coordinated perfectly with her outfit and she looked very smart.

Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog Empress Michiko, Nov. 30, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Tomorrow we’ll look at the first two hats worn by Empress Michiko on this tour.

 

Asahi Shimbun via Getty and Getty