Last fall, we looked at some interesting modifications made to hats worn by Queen Elizabeth (hats designed by Rachel Trevor Morgan and Philip Somerville). For the Queen’s departure and arrival in France today, we saw confirmation that Angela Kelly’s hats also undergo renovation. Eagle eyed reader JamesB noticed that this white piqué coat looked somewhat familiar:
Queen Elizabeth in France, June 5, 2014
In Canada, June 29, 2010
It is indeed, the same coat with the navy applique bows removed. But take a closer look at the hats. The colour is the same. The shape of the crown? Same. The white bow trim is identical. The wide binding around the brim (seen closeup in 2010 below) is also the same. If you look closely at the brims on the two hats above, you’ll notice that they appear to be the same size. One is turned up, the other turned down. A number of you suspect the brim was resteamed- whatever the case, it’s quite a remarkable hat remodel, isn’t it?!
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Reader Snug Harbour also noticed also made a fascinating observation- Angela Kelly’s 2012 book Dressing the Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe includes photos of a white hat trimmed with the same silver pixel print as the dress and jacket the Queen wore for her arrival in Paris today (see below). The original hat was not worn in public and seems to have been replaced by today’s hat- a hat with similar basic shape but much sleeker trim. Between these two hats, I much prefer the one we saw today.
Thanks to everyone who shared observations and links. It was a most fascinating day of millinery for Her Majesty! I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us tomorrow.
Photos from Getty as indicated; Royal Collection Trust and private collection
Royal Hats 