King Harald opened the 160th session of Norwegian parliament yesterday with a speech from the throne. He was accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja, who stuck to her usual uniform of black and red for this event. Her hat was an interesting design of two distinct elements- a red close fitting cap style crown and a high, diagonal black brim. While I’m always happy to see Sonja stepping away from her usual bowlers and pillboxes, there’s something about the two elements of that hat that seem uncomfortably out of sync. You can see the hat more clearly here during its last outing.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: October 2, 2010
Photos from NTB scanpix via The Royal House of Norway
This time of year can be tricky for royal hat wearers. Straw hats in light colours are too summery but it’s a tinge early (and warm!) to bring out one’s winter wardrobe. One of the ways Queen Elizabeth navigates this change of season is by commissioning multiple hats to coordinate with outfits that move well between seasons. Such is the case with this dress and coat in finely woven burgundy tweed. Rachel Trevor Morgan has made two hats for it- a wintery one in rich claret felt with a stacked crown and feather flower trim, and a summer cloche in textured straw trimmed with silk flowers. The influence of each hat is astonishing, as each transforms the ensemble and gives it a completely different seasonal feel. I’m curious, dear readers, which hat do you prefer with this coat?
The Duchess of York on this day in 1988 while on tour in Australia. Amazing how the direction of a brim can completely date a hat, isn’t it?
Royal Hats 