to January 1961, a state visit to India, a young queen, and a wonderfully textured lilac turban.
Royal Hats
The Bold, Beautiful and Bizarre World of Royal Millinery
to January 1961, a state visit to India, a young queen, and a wonderfully textured lilac turban.
Royal Hats 
I love the gauzy coat and the colour, reminds me of something my father’s cousin wore as her ‘going-away’ outfit after she was married. I was young enough to have given Ruth a horse-shoe at the church and thought she was just the most glamorous thing I’d ever seen (my mum included!). Ruth had dark hair and pale skin too and the lilac was, to my young eyes, marvellous. However, she combined her outfit with a picture hat.
I suppose the most important thing about this ‘tea-cosy’ (‘bath cleaner’) was that it was off HM’s face, enabling the masses to see their Queen but I’m with those who detest the turban phase.
Actually, this hat is a sea urchin, beautiful color however.
Love the colour and gauzy effect of the dress and coat. Agree with the lilac cactus kat.
I rather like the turban, both texture and color. Not so sure about the coat and dress.
My first thought was ‘it’s a lilac cactus’ – I love the dress and the coat though.
Never cared for the turban phase that went on far too long in my book – we saw her wearing them from the early 60s-early 80s – I didn’t care for Princess Grace in all her turbans then either.
Oh this one is wonderful. Beautiful. I wish we had a close up. The texture on the hat combined with the smoothness of the dress is great.
A little better, but not much. Very nice shade of lilac.
http://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.M7b4a644a30d1bbb2fa552ce5b2434a5ao2&w=191&h=287&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0&r=0
Shannon:
Go to the very end of this video for an action shot (albeit extremely brief!) at 3:50.
Thanks, Jimbo! I’m not sure if the hat is a lilac cactus or pincushion…