Reader Laura passed on information about a surprise royal outing in London on Sunday. Princess Charlene of Monaco visited the Rhodesian and South African plots in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey where she laid a wreath and spent some time in quiet reflection (read an observer’s account of her visit here). We don’t often see Charlene in hats you’ll note from photos below that she wore an oversized calot shaped design in black felt simply trimmed with a bow. She seems to wear the unusual shape of this piece very well.
Update- the Monaco Royal Palace also shared photos of Princess Charlene’s meeting with Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence to discuss drowning prevention. The front view of the hat is really lovely and its pairing with her grey coat is fantastic.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Royal Hats 
I love her grey trenchcoat, but I don’t like the hat. The shape and the bow is just odd. From the front, it looks like Mickey Mouse ears.
It’s Rachel Trevor Morgan design. I think it’s gorgeous piece and all the outfit.
Her hat is a classic style that looks wonderful on her. I love it.
I like this hat better from the side than the front, but because I’m not a fan of the bow stretching across her forehead. I would’ve kept the bow smaller and to the right side. Overall it does frame her hair and face well. A good hat for Charlene, but could be even better!
I like it, it suits her very well
Charlene is a beauty no doubt about it but I personally wish her hair was a bit longer. The hat though with her blond hair is stunning!
This hat is an unusual shape. It reminds me of a riding hat (without the bill). It seems to fit with Princess Charlene’s usual sleek, modern style. I think on the whole, I like this hat more than I don’t like it, if that makes sense. Princess Charlene is always a stunning beauty.
While in London Charlene also attended the England-South Africa rugby union test match and had the best seat in the house – next to Prince Harry! She looked fantastic in her black overcoat and bright red lipstick. No hat though!
http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2016111234571/prince-harry-attends-rugby-match-twickenham-princess-charlene-monaco/
She met the South African team beforehand and, so cute, they gave her Springbox jerseys for her twins: http://www.sapeople.com/2016/11/12/princess-charlene-meets-with-springboks-ahead-of-england-match/
*Springbok*, sorry about the typo.
Very elegant woman. However, I don’t like the front view of her hat as much as I do the side and back. The front sort of looks like “bunny ears” to me.
Very elegant woman who should wear a hat more often. Love the hat style with its elegant bow and the black color which suits her blonde hair.
Gads, she looks fantastic here! Love the hat and so nice to see her in a gray coat vs black like the Br. Royals all wore.
She is just beautiful, and so quietly elegant, like Princess Grace herself was. It is a very unusual hat, but with her shorter hair and delicate features, it was a good choice.