Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the the University of Surrey today to open the institution’s new School of Veterinary Medicine. The Queen was radiant in vibrant blue from head to toe, repeating her silk crepe hat with upturned brim and velvet flower trim.
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The last photo in the set below shows an angle of this hat we have not seen before and confirms that while the outside of the brim is wrapped in fabric, the inside is straw. I adore this aerial view because it shows the beautiful balance within this hat’s design as well as the immense workmanship used to create it.
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Previously Worn: October 30, 2014; November 8, 2013; December 25, 2012
Royal Hats 
I think that the hat’s shape and color are perfect on the Queen. This shade of blue really highlights her beautiful skin and brings out her blue eyes. I am not an overall fan of monotone dressing, though being short myself, I do know that it can make you look taller. I am in agreement with Snug Harbor’s comments about how the sharp angles of the coat’s front are slightly at odds with the hat’s soft curved velvet flowers.
I love this hat but the side view of Her Majesty’s face in photo #3 confirms something I have wondered about for a long time. Her make-up person is doing a terrible job of blending her foundation into her neck. In so many pictures her face is a very different hue than her neck and seeing this distinct line at her jaw is horrible. This may not be the correct forum to discuss her majesty’s make up but I just needed to tell someone.
When choosing photos, I focus first on finding as many different views and angles of the hats as possible and second, on the most flattering views of the royals themselves. I completely missed the make-up line on photo #3 but you’re right… it’s not good.
The best part of this repeat wearing of this outfit is that aerial view of the hat. The sharp angles of the coat’s front are slightly at odds with the hat’s soft curved velvet flowers, but it’s a good working outfit. The hat is the best part of the outfit.
I love the color and shape of the hat, and the fact that the Queen is out and about again, looking so wonderful.
I don’t care for the flowers tacked on the hat, or the zig-zaggy front of the coat.
It is very clear from the last photo, that the gentleman speaking with the Queen wants to get a better shot of the beautiful hat also!
Happy weekend everyone.
There’s always been something about this rigout that I don’t quite love and I don’t know why. That said, in that first picture she does look lovely, well rested and happy. And way younger than her 89 years!