The annual Ceremony of New Year’s Lectures was held today at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo (members of the Imperial family attended expert lectures in the fields of human, social and natural sciences). While Empress Michiko did not wear a hat, Princess Kiko wore a beautiful navy pillbox. I can not find record of Kiko wearing this hat previously so can only guess that it is new.
Closeup photos of the other royal ladies do not appear to have been released. Princess Hanako was in forest green velvet with a coordinating hat that looks to be trimmed with a large green feather. I believe it is Princess Hisako in the vibrant turquoise hat and suit. The other hats appear to be de rigueur unadorned pillboxes in soft pastel colours.
The Imperial ladies were all in court dress (long gowns and hats) for this event. I suspect this is traditional dress- does anyone know exactly why?
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan
Royal Hats 
for Japan’s royal ladies – extremely interesting hats 🙂
http://i-fotki.info/16/717fe7885ec2c939195195024fd87ad4c12255172271053.jpg.html
They look very nice in their formal dress. Princess Kiko especially looks nice in her hat. Unfortunately, the Imperial family does not have any choice in regards to their wardrobe and other day to day activities. The Imperial Household Agency has to approve all of these things.
I love the Imperial Family – I rather think they’re my favorite royal clan; they’re always so well dressed. I would suspect the court dress stems from the fact that the New Year’s Lectures were begun by the Emperor Meiji in 1869, when floor-length skirts and hats were the only option women had so far as clothes went. The Japanese Court – and this is why it’s particularly dear to my heart – doesn’t seem to change except at a sub-glacial pace. I’m really liking the green and turquoise numbers – anything with a feather will catch my fancy. I think that may be Princess Mako in pink, and her hat looks to have a little pom-pom on it. I think they all look so classy here.
Thanks, Norman, for this great insight. That certainly does explain the court dress.
Several european royal courts use this dress-code for very formal occasions.
Spain (Pascua Militar and the annual reception for the foreign ambassadors ):
http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2013/01/flashback-friday-letizias-court-dress.html
Denmark (the New Year’s receptions):
http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2014/01/royal-outfit-of-day-january-7.html
Netherlands (Prinsjesdag and Enthronement, with hats):
https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/prinsjesdag-2013/
https://royalhats.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/dutch-enthronement-crown-princesses/
Hat Queen,
Was the Crown Princess there?
No. She began a trip to Myanmar today.
In regards to the hats, I really do like the one that Princess Kiko was wearing, the navy pillbox is very chic. The rest of the ladies hats where just okay. I also like the navy color of the hat, it would look good on a redhead with a navy suit and pearls.
CP Mary of Denmark began a 3 day tour of Myanmar yesterday. CP Masako as well?