British Royal Couple Visit Lloyds of London

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Royal Hats

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh wore wide smiles for today’s visit to Lloyds of London, insurers of the royal collection. The Queen repeated her pink wool felt hat with ostrich feather pouf. It’s a hat that has grown on me since we first saw it last Easter, partly because it compliments this Stewart Parvin designed coat (which looks just beautiful on Her Majesty) so well. I think the challenge of designing a royal hat is to create something that not only looks good on the head of it’s wearer, but also works well with the outfit it compliments. And this is something Rachel Trevor Morgan does so very well.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan
Previously Worn: January 26, 2014; May 23, 2013; March 31, 2013

On a side note, Prince Philip was overheard asking if the royal collection was covered from damage from mice. Let’s hope there are no unwanted critters in the Queen’s hat closet…

Photos from Getty as indicated

Imperial Couple Visit Ise Shrine

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Royal Hats

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Ise Shrine yesterday in Mie Prefecture. During their visit to the shrine, the Imperial jewel and sword, two of the family’s three sacred treasures, were moved out of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace for the first time since they made the same trip 20 years ago. The other treasure, a mirror, is always kept at Ise Shrine. For this sacred event, Empress Michiko wore a small white saucer hat trimmed with a flat bow.

Empress Michiko, March 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

The day before, The Emperor and Empress were seen at Tokyo Station, boarding with the sacred treasures onto the train. Empress Michiko wore an elegant oyster grey ensemble topped with a coordinating saucer hat. I thought the two-toned grey origami bow on this hat was particularly pretty and coordinated so well with her grey purse and shoes. The words elegant and regal are what come to mind when describing this ensemble, and this hat.

Empress Michiko, March 25 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe both of these hats are new

Photos from Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, all via Getty Images

Pink Straw or Pink Cashmere?

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Royal Hats

Royal Hats Last week, Queen Elizabeth chose a peony pink straw hat and matching coat for her visit to the Rambert dance company.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

This coat looked familiar to me and after some research, I discovered that Her Majesty has indeed worn it with a different, coordinating hat:

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

At the Commonwealth Day Observance Service, March 12, 2012

This hat, with a squared crown and rolled brim, appears to be made of the same fabric as the Queen’s coat (some type of wool silk or cashmere). I assume that the first straw hat was made for spring/summer while the fabric hat was made for winter, although the hats seen here were both worn during the month of March. The shapes of these two hats are quite different as is their overall impression, despite both being trimmed in monochrome pink feathers. I believe both were designed by Angela Kelly. The question remains- which hat do you prefer with this coat?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Swedish Monarchs On State Visit to Latvia

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Royal Hats

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden have begun a two day visit to Latvia. For their arrival this morning, Queen Silvia repeated her large two-tone brown bow fascinator with coordinating feathers . I liked how her whole outfit- shoes, suit, fascinator and THAT mink stole- came together in lovely shades of chocolate and caramel. I have to reluctantly admit that this fascinator is the last thing I would pair with a mink stole… but somehow, it worked. I think however, I might have preferred a little pillbox hat, similar to that worn by Latvian First Lady Dace Seisuma (but in a shade of brown). I thought Ms. Seisuma’s hat was fabulous with her blue suit, white cape coat and bobbed haircut. What do you think?

Note- you can see a better view of Queen Silvia’s fascinator during one of it’s previous outings, here.

Queen Silvia, March 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

Queen Silvia, March 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog Latvian First Lady Dace Seisuma and Queen Silvia, March 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer of Queen Silvia’s hat: unknown
Previously Worn: October 1, 2013; November 20, 2007

Photos from Edgar Cullman/BBC via Latvian TV; Edgar Cullman/BBC via Latvian TV; Evija Trifanova/Leta via Latvian TV; and Evija Trifanova/Leta via Latvian TV

Queen Máxima Visits Air Base

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Royal Hats

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands arrived at the Eindhoven Air Base this morning to visit the youth musical project, Young Musicians Spread Their Wings, an initiative of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Air Force). She repeated another one of her charcoal grey hats- this one with a squared edges, a tall crown, and diagonal lines. Looking at this hat, I can’t take my eyes off the downward bulge in the brim (right above Máxima’s eyes)- a minor issue perhaps, but an annoying one nonetheless. I think I prefer the other charcoal grey hat she paired with this dress and coat the last time she wore it. What do you think of this hat?

Queen Máxima, March 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog