The Imperial royals have been busy over the past week, leaving us several hats to catch up. On April 20, Princess Akiko repeated her white cloche with upturned brim on a visit to the Mie Prefecture Museum. This design is a larger scale than many of Akiko’s other hats and works well on her.
Last Tuesday, April 26, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko commemorated the 100th anniversary of RIKEN, Japan’s largest research institute. The Empress repeated a pale blue saucer hat with raised rim around the back and a large, stacked, circular origami bow.
On Wednesday, April 27, Prince Masahito and Princess Hanako of Hitachi attended the 35th Ueno Royal Museum Grand Prize award ceremony in Tokyo. Princess Hanako repeated her sage green silk covered hat with cloche shaped crown and mushroom brim with lace overlay.
And finally, On Thursday, April 28, the Emperor and Empress presented the 11th Midori Academic Prize in Tokyo. Empress Michiko repeated her white saucer hat we first saw her wear during the Imperial couple’s tour of Vietnam in March this year. Like much of the Empress’ millinery, this hat is all about subtlety- a gently raised rim, transparent lattice underbrim, flat bow in ombre grey silk and monochrome silk anemone blossoms and leaves. On its own, the piece falls a little flat tonally but combined with Michiko’s ombre silk suit, it really works.
Thoughts about this quartet of Imperial royal hats?
Royal Hats 
Everyone does not know the actual situation, so comments are comparatively favorable.
(Or is it an irony?)
Many Japanese are ashamed of Empress’ hat and clothes.
I agree with Sherry. The hats being worn so far forward does produce an effect of the Empress being perpetually bowing (which in Japanese culture might be a good thing). She always looks so well put together. The soft colors she wears project a soothing presence and modesty.
I agree that a wider brim and profile of this hat works very well on Akiko. And an excellent repeat for Hanako.
The Empress looks wonderful in both of her outings. The blue is a nice color for her. I did not notice her ombre outfit during its previous outing, and this makes me love this hat and outfit much more. Is it grey and white, or dark sage green and white? Either way, it’s lovely and great repeat.
I love the expression on Princess Akiko’s face! The expression made the hat more lovely!
Truly a woman of impeccable taste, but the hat choices do not do her justice. Yes, they coordinate with clothing, but they seem to bring her down. I think angled hats, away from her face would be more uplifting and flattering.
No one pairs the hat with the ensemble better than the Empress. Her couturier and her milliner must be in perfect accord.