Queen Elizabeth was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge and King Philippe of Belgium today, to open the Flanders’ Fields Memorial Garden at Wellington Barracks in London. This garden was planted in soil taken from 70 battlefield cemeteries in Flanders, gathered last year by more than a thousand Belgian and British schoolchildren. For this important event, Her Majesty repeated her grey and taupe bouclé coat and hat with gold embroidered floral trim. While I wish the beautiful embroidery stood out more, I have a hunch that this ensemble was never intended to be one of vibrant contrasts. The hat is a simple, flattering shape in a great scale for Her Majesty and it coordinates well with what is a very polished and subtle ensemble. I think in the end, that’s what made it an excellent choice for the more reflective nature of today’s events. What do you think?
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: January 5, 2014; February 5, 2012; October 22, 2008
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Absolutely Divine…sometimes a few words are all one needs.
Love this look. She is amazing.
Love this outfit. The scale of the hat is perfect for the queen, and the subtle gold tones keeps it on trend without being too flashy or brassy.
The last photograph is so lovely! While I’m not loving the brim of the hat, everything else is just perfect, including the “Frosted Sunflower” brooch.
In reply to SalannB, I don’t know who named this brooch, but through my eyes it is definitely the Gold Dahlia Brooch, and not the Frosted Sunflower Brooch, because it does not resemble sunflowers that I have seen. It is very elegant and the yellow gold really combines well with the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden outfit which has gold tones. The British Queen looked lovely in this autumnal outfit. I like the hat but the brim looks odd from some angles and I think the hat is too far forward on the face. There is a close-up of the brooch in this link.
http://queensjewelvault.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/frosted-sunflower-brooch.html
This is an excellent ensemble, even the dress underneath is in the same style. I adore it!
This outfit strikes the perfect note for the event…understated, warm, elegant. I tend to prefer HM in brighter colors, but this is lovely.
Unlike most of her outfits, made to call instant attention to the Queen, this rarely-worn outfit must have been made to deflect attention. After its initial wearing in Slovenia, it’s only been worn at Sandringham.
I’m so glad to see it again because I think it’s one of her all-time most attractive outfits. I very much like the hat shape too, one of Angela Kelly’s square crown – rolled brim hats. The gold trim on hat and coat is extremely muted, but that just adds to the regal, low-key beauty of this outfit. Perfect choice for today!
Snug Harbor I agree, this is one of the Queen’s all-time most attractive outfits, and the brooch is one of my favorites also, and works so well with this outfit.
I can’t begin to explain how much I love Her Majesty in this outfit! It is one of my all time favourites! I just love it and for some reason it never fails to move me!! The fabric to begin with is so lovely and tactile and warm but then the gold embroidery, so tastefully done, just elevates it to another level. No need for ANYTHING else, just gold thread and beautiful fabric! Simple right ? And yes…..the bright gold of this particular brooch (used twice now with this coat) is the perfect accessory. Thankyou so much.
I hope to see this 10 years from now, she is always very dignified and gracious, I like the entire outfit and the brooch. As usual she is very elegant.
I like the hat and think this is a great outfit. And the brooch is absolutely PERFECT with it! Picks up both the colour and the shapes of the embroidery.
Her Majesty looks perfect for the occasion. I like the outfit — it certainly looks different in the different lighting; more gray in some views and more golden in others. The hat is understated, again, perfect for the occasion. Plus, she is wearing one of my favorite brooches.
Great look all around! The last photo is perfection. I hope I have HALF her energy when I turn 60!
She looks amazing, and I wish I had half her energy. It is always a delight to see HM out and about. I do like the outfit on her, and while I’m not a huge fan of the hat, it looks good on her and the entire outfit looks very polished and chic. Her best accessory as always, is the Duke of Edinburgh.
The embroidery on the hat (or vice-versa) is matched by a panel two-thirds of the way down the coat and of her sleeves, with smaller panels at the hem and cuffs. There may even be something with gold thread going on with the coat buttons. It’s quite subtle, but adds interest to the outfit and may give it a bit of “pop” from afar.
I think the gold embroidery is more visible in “real life” The texture and color combination does not photograph well. The whole outfit is beautiful, I like it very much
Nice outfit that is a cohesive whole and love the colour on HM, a sort of wintry autumn. The hat shape suits her and the heavier material it’s made from. Love the brooch.
Still like this rigour very much. The colour is nice and very autumnal, and the embroidery, while subtle, lifts it into something special. Perfect for the occasion, and a very flattering colour on HM.
JamesB, you read my mind, the entire outfit makes me think of autumn and is very flattering to Her Majesty.
I’m not a big fan of the hat shape, but she looks great still. Nice that she chose to wear a lighter shade vs. a black and somber look. Yet the black accessories pull this into the right realm for the occasion.
Definitely one of the best outfits. Able to see the embroidery better in these photos than the earlier photos.
Still do not love the hat shape.
Overall very nice.