The Norwegian Royal Family received Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves at Palace Square this morning in Oslo. For this welcome, Queen Sonja topped her red coat with an ecru straw hat with a straight-sided, domed crown and small brim that curled up at the back of the hat. I liked the modern shape on Sonja and thought the simple hat was a good pairing for her embellished coat.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 12, 2011
Crown Princess Mette-Marit wore a simple navy straw pillbox hat with her navy lace Valentino coat. I liked the choice of a very simple hat with this coat although I would have preferred Mette-Marit wear it a little higher over the crown of her head.
The Crown Princess gave us a little insight yesterday into the origins of this hat, saying “Sent this old hat to my lovely old neighbor Mona Strand. And got 4 back!” We do not usually get such a good view of royal millinery recycling in action and it is fascinating to see the origin of the pillbox Mette-Marit wore today. The only sad note here for me is the demise of the original hat, a beautiful design that I can not find evidence of Crown Princess Mette-Marit wearing in public. Do any of you recall seeing the original hat? The four pieces resulting from this renovation seem to confirm Mette-Marit’s ‘phase’ of small hats and headpieces will continue for a while, something that disappoints me a little.
https://www.instagram.com/p/sbvx9xi0RfxiBpSdKDeJ32obP4aVSdREb1HAY0/
Designer: Mona Strand
Previously Worn: I believe today is the first public wearing of this hat.
I am curious to hear what you think about these two lovely straw hats, dear readers, and of the hat recycling that created Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s classic pillbox.
Photos Getty and Crown Princess Mette-Marit as indicated
Royal Hats 
