Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary kicked off their tour of Canada today in Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Mary repeated her grey wool felt casque hat with abstract leaf trim on one side. Once again, her hairstyle was the perfect compliment to her hat; I particularly love the way her side swept bangs balance the hat, preventing it from looking too much like a helmet. I sense this tour will be a fairly informal one and I think this modern grey casque provided just the right amount of formality to get it started. What do you think of this hat?
Designer: unconfirmed. I strongly suspect Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: March 18, 2013; January 14, 2012
Photos from Sonia Recchia, Sonia Recchia, Sonia Recchia, Sonia Recchia, and Sonia Recchia via Getty
I like this hat on CP Mary–love how she coordinated the gloves, shoes and clutch which also worked back to the colours in her dress. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the Princess owns another clasque hat in red.. See attached.
A true casque would cover the crown of her head (like a helmet) but this headpiece, designed by American designer Jill Courtemanche, is certainly a variation!
Thanks for the clarification.
I think this is very clever and thoughtful styling. This hat fits the brief at the National War Memorial- somber, respectful….but later the hat was removed when having lunch at the Governor General’s residence, with the hair still nicely styled for this next, more relaxed engagement. And…no bad hat hair! Clever. I happen to think this hat actually suits Mary and is a good size. I have liked it each time she has worn it, but I think the hair styling this time around is the best. Thanks.
Mary looks lovely, as always. It’s not my favorite type of hat, but it looks very well on her.
Can you please explain what is a casque hat?
I received a number of emails asking the same thing so here is an answer!
I did not know they were here. We are known to be so conservative and Ottawa is a grey city. Please add colour. We need colour here.
Love the hat. For me, it is the coat that doesn’t “go”. The black is too stark with the softer greys, and would make me assume she was attending a memorial of some sort. Mary looks fantastic in shades of red. A nice burgundy or plum would give it the punch it needs.
Unless I am mistaken, they were at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I imagine that is why the somber colors. I actually liked the look, loved her hairstyle with the hat.
Yes, the first photo is taken at the Canadian National War Memorial (where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is). I suspect Mary’s outfit was chosen for this part of yesterday’s visits.
I like Mary and Fred, but I am not a fan of the hat. It looks like one of those old fashioned bathing caps from a forties movie that someone attacked with a chainsaw. It doesn’t work for me. I think it does odd things to her face.
I love the hat (and the shoes) the colour is almost lavender gray and her hair and earrings are a perfect foil for it.
I adore the hat, wish it was in my collection and in another color, red would be great, I just don’t don’t like the color gray on anything, this is a boring outfit, her hair is perfect as is her make-up, the outfit has been seen many times, different coats, different dresses………….try some color, it’s autumn which is felled with reds, golds, greens, Canada has beautiful autumns.
Yes to more color!
I agree totally elizabethmclaughline42, this is a Royal tour, so some color should be on the agenda.
The hat shape and hairstyle are good but I don’t like grey on brunettes.
Princess Patricia, I agree with you. I don’t like grey on brunettes as a general rule, and I particularly do not think grey suits Mary. She is a beautiful lady, but not everyone can wear every color and get away with it, myself included.
I agree with all you say, Hat Queen, and yet somehow I don’t much like the overall effect!
Le chapeau est pas mal mais ne lui va pas du tout