Imperial Couple Award Science Prize

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Royal Hats

In 2009, the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Sciences celebrated the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne by establishing an award for young researchers. Today in Tokyo, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko awarded the 5th annual Ikushi Prize. For this event, Empress Michiko repeated a petite, dove grey rimmed saucer hat trimmed with pale blue and dove grey layered origami bows. It is not the most vibrant of hats but somehow, it seems fitting for handing out a technology prize, doesn’t it?

Empress Michiko, March 4, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: November 15, 2014

Photos from Asahi

Swedish Monarchs Kick Off Finnish State Visit

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Royal Hats

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden arrived in Helsinki yesterday for the start of a three day state visit to Finland. For this arrival, Queen Silvia wore a new calot hat made of the same dark teal wool as her suit, trimmed with a feather and tulle spray on the side.The colour looks like a great shade on her but I thought the style was slightly lost in her hairstyle. I suppose there are times when a royal must wear a hat and opts to meet this requirement with a hat that stays in the background – a calot hat is a great option for this kind of ‘low key’ royal working hat. For an occasion the likes of a state visit, however, I’m always going to hope for something a little more. What do you think of this new hat?

Queen Silvia, March 3, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: Kerstin Carlefalk
Previously Worn: This is a new hat

Photos from Getty as indicated, Antti Aimo Koivisto / Stringer via Getty and MTV Finland

Princess Kiko Attends Health Conference

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Royal Hats

On February 27th, Princess Kiko, who is President of the Japanese Anti-Tuberculosis Prevention, attended the 66th Japanese Tuberculosis Prevention Convention in Fukuoka City.

Princess Kiko, February 27, 2015 | Royal Hats

For this event, she repeated a khaki silk patterned pillbox hat made of the same fabric as her suit. The hat was trimmed with a pleated band on the side which echoed the pleated collar of her jacket. Design qualms aside, I think the fabric choice on this pillbox dooms it to a drab and dowdy existence- it ages Princess Kiko well beyond her years and that makes it a failure in my book. Will any of you join me in calling for the retirement of this hat?

Princess Kiko wearing this same hat at an autumn garden party in November 2006

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: November 9, 2006

Photos from Fukuoka Prefecture and Pool/Reuters/Corbis via Corbis

Start of Mexican State Visit

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Royal Hats

The British Royal Family welcomed Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Señora Angelica Rivera de Pena on state visit to the UK today. Queen Elizabeth hosted this welcome in a hat we have not seen her wear for a while. With a textured tweedy square crown and a white straw brim, this hat was simply trimmed in a green band around the brim and a small cluster of green straw leaves and the same lace appliqué flowers that adorned her coat. With so many different textures and materials on one hat, this hat could have easily ventured into ‘too much’ territory but I think Angela Kelly found a perfect balance. It’s a lovely hat with just the right amount of contrast and embellishment.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
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Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: May 17, 2011

The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her purple felt picture hat with feather spray of feathers. This photo today reminded me that Philip Treacy used the same trim on Camilla’s coat collar for a double wrap around the crown, giving this smooth hat great texture. I love how the hat is a slightly deeper shade of purple than Camilla’s coat- I think it gives a slight increase of depth and dimension to her overall outfit. I’ll be sad when it comes time to retire this hat because it’s one of Camilla’s best.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Designer: Philip Treacy
Previously Worn: March 21, 2013; December 25, 2012; March 26, 2012; March 12, 2012; October 26, 2010; March 8, 2010

Angelica Rivera topped her beautiful white coat with a simple black straw circular rimmed percher hat. The hat, trimmed with a bow, completed a trio of black accessories that made for a classic black and white look. I imagine it’s tricky for first ladies to get the fashion ‘just right’ on these big events and Señora Rivera looked very elegant.

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

A great day of hats was had in London today, don’t you agree?

Photos from Getty as indicated

Seen It Before: Sharing Among The Swedish Royals

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Royal Hats

Royal Hats One of the major royal events this summer will be the wedding of Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Sofia Hellqvist. Sofia has attended a number of royal occasions in the past and worn several hats and headpieces. Eagle eyed reader Sara noticed something familiar about one of these hats:

Sofia Hellqvist at the March 2013 funeral of Princess Lilian

Crown Princess Victoria at the May 2012 funeral of Count Carl Bernadotte

No question- it’s the same hat. It makes me curious if we’ll see some more hat swapping between Sofia and Princess Victoria as Sofia starts her royal life.

Photos from Lehtikuva.fi and Ragnar Singsaas / Stringer via Getty

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