When Princess Alexandra appeared at the Epsom races this year in a turquoise blue hat and matching jacket, I had a strong sense that I had seen the asymmetrically brimmed piece before. The elegant princess has two hats, both in blue, both with a similar shape and both trimmed with a swath of net tulle.
Hosting the June 12, 2014 British Red Cross Society Garden Party; at the Epsom races on June 6, 2015
At a closer look, the brim on the darker blue hat is slightly smaller, the net tulle trim is more tightly woven, and most obviously, the piece is trimmed with curling feathers instead of a bow. Despite these differences, the hats are very similar (as are the coats designed to accompany them).
I am intrigued about the rationale behind such similar pieces, particularly when they are in such a similar colour! Perhaps the princess was presented with two swatches of beautiful blue fabric and, unable to choose between them, opted for both?
Photos from Getty as indicated; WPA Pool and Chris Jackson via Getty
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It took six and a half long months before Queen Elizabeth showed us a new hat in 2015. This new hat was soon followed by ten other new pieces, giving us a sensory overload of new hats. A number of you have asked to take a more relaxed, comparative look at the eleven new hats Queen Elizabeth débuted over the past month and here it is. While the fourth (yellow hat with silk flowers) is a Rachel Trevor Morgan design, all the others are the work of Angela Kelly.
Royal Hats 