The Countess of Wessex traveled to Alanbrooke Barracks in Paderborn, Germany, back on December 5, 2014 to meet the 5th Battalion, The Rifles, one of the last groups of British troops to return from Afghanistan. For this event, Sophie repeated a hat she has not worn in a long while- a burgundy felt stovepipe hat with sharply indented crown. This hat, which is trimmed with a knotted sash on the side, is distinctive for its colour and its shape. The color is beautiful, especially with coordinating gloves and Sophie’s wonderful navy military coat. The shape? I’m not a fan. Sophie wore a number of similarly shaped hats a decade ago and while they seemed marvelously bold and dramatic at the time, I think their time has passed. What do you think of this burgundy hat?
Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: December 25, 2006; March 15, 2006; December 2009; January 1, 2012
*Special thanks to Alyssa and Bristol for bringing this hat to my attention. It missed my royal hat radar!
Photos from Press Association via The Daily Mail
Royal Hats 
I don’t mind quirky, but I despair of designers (and women) who cannot distinguish quirky from ludicrous.
Fabulous color! And I’ll take this hat any-day over 1) “donut ” hats 2) feather fascinations 3) sinamay in winter time
There is something about this hat that says “helmet”. Maybe that’s why she chose it today?
Horrendous hat. When I first saw it on the internet, I almost laughed out loud. I pray this hat is taken out of rotation to never see the light of day again.
Well. I’m trying really hard here! It’s… quirky.
Quirky is a good word for this hat. Sophie sure looks good in burgundy.
The angle from which a photograph is taken makes such a difference. While the photo from Christmas 2006 makes the hat look interesting, the first photograph above from today makes the hat look absolutely ridiculous.
I agree with the others who said that the hat and coat colors are fine but not the shape!
Laughable. It looks like someone sat on it.
Color is great on her, esp with the bright navy coat and gold buttons – but that hat design == ugh! It looks like something Adrian would have made working at MGM in the 30s
Awful shape, pretty color
Color is OK, but I have to agree with other posters that the shape is dreadful. This is the first time I’ve seen this hat, and immediately the shape made me think of grade school photos of the Hessian soldiers in the American Revolution. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fushistoryimages.com%2Fhessian-soldiers.shtm&ei=blePVMiuD5ShyAStroLQDA&bvm=bv.81828268,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNEwdEyI2iKlCe8NWDYUF0xPWuvBOg&ust=1418766549851961
Beautiful color and it looks well with the color of the coat, but the shape! Aargh! HM has some modified stovepipe hats herself, and while I don’t care for the shape, I think they were executed better than this one. It makes her head look oddly asymmetrical. The Countess is one of my favorite royal ladies, but this hat! It does nothing for her and has an odd cat in the hat vibe. It’s a shame because it isn’t a flattering shape. It would be a difficult hat to wear I should think.
I agree with all you have said jamiemid.
LOVE it. Fabulous.
Great color, it looks much better with the 2006 coat! Terrible size and shape.
Nope, this hat doesn’t look good on her. In fact, I can’t imagine this hat would look good on anyone. It sort of looks like someone sat on half of it.
I watch royal hats just to see what Sophie and Maxima are going to wear next. There are so many boring hats but Maxima and Sophie always BRING IT. I admire how fearless they are when it comes to hats. This one is so creative and high-style. I love the color.
I wasn’t a fan of this hat when she first debuted it. Sophie can carry some large hats but this shape just doesn’t do anything for her. Love the color though.
HPB I agree totally.
I agree with everything you’ve said. I loved this hat when she had shorter hair peeking out, but it is just not working now.
Good point- I think this hat worked better when Sophie’s hair was shorter.
I wondered that you didn’t cover that one, but thought it was the better part of discretion. just horrible,
Can’t tell you how much I hate this hat. Color is good, but the shape is just bizarre.
Nuff said.
It’s really bad.