The Japanese Imperial travelled to Miyagi Prefecture last Friday, beginning their three day visit to the area with a stop in Iwanuma, a city seriously impacted by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. On this day, which included stops at several memorial sites, Empress Michiko wore a black saucer hat topped with folded bows in black silk and black and white hound’s tooth check.
Designer: unknown. Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
The following day, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko took part in The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai. For this event, the Empress wore a cream saucer hat with coordinating fan bow sweeping across the front of the hat.
Designer: unknown. Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Royal Hats 
The Empress looks so refined here, as she always does. I enjoy how the houndstooth has been incorporated multiple time with her hats, and this example is no exception. The imperial couple look great and continue to earn my respect.
Her houndstooth hats always look elegant, don’t they? Black and white is timeless.
I think her tiny hats are cute and suit her well. Out of the two, I prefer Empress Michiko’s black saucer hat topped with folded bows in black silk and black and white hound’s tooth check.