Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo yesterday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of death of Empress Shoken (1849-1914). Empress Michiko wore a white saucer hat covered in delicate fabric flowers and leaves.
The Imperial Couple also visited a museum dedicated to Empress Shoken. Empress Michiko repeated her dove grey saucer hat with large bow in coordinating grey striped fabric. While grey is probably my least favourite colour for the Empress, I do like how the two-toned bow coordinates so beautifully with her suit. The suit and hat combination is wonderfully chic, don’t you think?
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 23, 2013; October 28, 2012
Photos from Asahi Shimbun via Getty and FNN News
Royal Hats 
Both hats are flattering and appropriate, especially the bigger two-toned one. What you describe as gray looks tan and brown to me. I doubt we’ll ever see the Empress in Queen Elizabeth-inspired bright turquoise or hot pink. (We’d better enjoy whatever hint of color we get from the Empress!)
my monitor also displays a light taupe brown and beige. dito prefer this hat to the other, smaller one, for the sake of variety.
i doubt these bright gemstone colours would be a good fit for the japanese empress, but i wish she chose more often pretty pastels. she’s such a lovely old lady with grace and aplomb, with capital letters.
The hats are lovely and typical of Michiko. But, I actually gasped at the dress worn at the Shrine. Oh, my…it’s gorgeous!