King Harald of Norway opened the 159th session of parliament yesterday with the monarch’s traditional speech from the throne. He was accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja, who repeated her black wool hat with diamond cutouts on the curled brim. The shape of this hat, close to a bowler hat, is not my favourite of shapes and something about it feels out of proportion. The brim cut outs are very creative (but successful? I’m not so sure) and I suppose that the best thing about the small brim is that it allows Sonja’s necklace to take center stage. I’m not a great fan of this hat- what do you think?
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: October 2, 2011; December 10, 2009
Photos from Terje Pedersen / NTB Scanpix via Kongehuset; and NTB Scanpix via Kongebloggen on TV2.no
Royal Hats 
oh my. I think the hat is the least of her worries. The hosiery color would make one think she was dead.
I really don’t care for this hat. Syliva has several red and black hats that are much more attractive, in my opinion.
It reminds me of a ‘Jughead’ hat from the Archie comics…
That is funny!
I am afraid that I do not like the hat, but the worst thing about this outfit is the “Wilma Flintstone” necklace!
This hat doesn’t really seem to suit the occasion. I would think something a little more fancy and formal.
http://www.romaniaregala.ro/jurnal/seara-palatului-elisabeta-dedicata-agerpres-29-septembrie-2014/
Thanks, Jelsta. Stay tuned later this afternoon for a related post.
I agree with everyone that this wasn’t a good choice – too small.
Not a fan of this.
Can we talk about Haakon, though? Yowza, what a handsome man!
I agree, it’s not a winner. She needs a bigger, more dramatic hat. Shame really, as the rest of her rigout is rather nice.
I think it’s a cute idea….suitable for running to the grocery, etc. I actually have a similarly-shaped hat that I love, but I am younger and not a royal (unfortunately). The style just isn’t formal enough for an event like this, though.
A little too plain and small for this attractive but not young Queen. I prefer Haakon’s “cover”.
Let me also say that I am looking forward to Queen Elizabeth’s return from Balmoral and a nice steady diet of good and sometimes great hats with colourful and well presented, not-too-loose and not-too-tight outfits and an appropriate but not gaudy display of beautiful jewels. I will even welcome the staid ordinariness of the black shoes especially as the Queen wouldn’t (I suspect) be seen dead wearing them without hosiery, bare legs with court shoes being my least favourite fashion trend among the younger queens and princesses this northern summer.
I hate the hat too. It looks too small, and it’s too cheap and sporty for the opening of parliament. It looks like something a kid would wear. It doesn’t look right with anything she has on, and the big necklace makes it even more disproportionate. Epic fail.
Epic fail! (My 14 year old daughter’s favourite saying!). Yes I would have to agree. The front on photo makes it look like a riding helmet.
The small brim combined with the large round shape makes it look as thought Queen Sonia is either wearing a tiny hat or has an ENORMOUS head.
Not a fan of this hat at all, there is something wrong with everything about this hat, the color, the shape, the cutouts, this needs to be put way back in the hat inventory and never seen again.
… or give the hat to charity, to the recycling bin… whatever. just don’t wear it any more for such occasions.
and while at it, dispose of the wardrobe as well. very 80s, and not in a good way (well, what was good anyway in 80’s couture? *shudder*)
I agree elizabethmclaughline42, I hope that I never see this awful hat again.