36 years ago to a 19-year-old British aristocrat at a society wedding (her own nuptials would take place two months later). The photographs of Lady Diana Spencer this day in the most wonderful red hat with raised brim around the back showed a foretaste of the fashion wonder that was to come.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty ImagesThis wedding – of Prince Charles’ good friend Nicholas Soames (grandson of Winston Churchill) to Catherine Weatherall – also closely foreshadowed the wedding dress we’d see on July 29. The two are surprisingly similar and clearly, reflective of the fashion of the times.
Hat by John Boyd; dress by Donald Campbell
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
This was always one of my favorites, at least of her early hats.
Definitely of its time, but still a fabulous hat! I agree that it sits a little high on her head, but if she turned it to the side, it probably would fit in right alongside today’s disc hats, cocktail hats, and fascinators.
Anne wore a similar hat the year before:
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One of the handful of ensembles that pop into my head when I hear the name “Diana” – I had a knockoff of this hat in teal with black edging. 😀
Lady Diana did not look much happy, actually; in a spite of her beautiful outfit.
A lovely hat for a young woman. I love the total red look, the small dots of color in the dress give just enough contrast so this doesn’t go over the top. She is also wearing the white tights that were a sign of the times as well.
Diana looks fabulous. The Queen Mother looks wonderful. Truly amazing for her age. But Margaret’s ensemble is very random. The dark fur stole doesn’t go with this spring-like floral frock and sandals, and the hat and bag seem to have been chosen quickly without thought of coordination. But my big question is why would anyone want TWELVE small attendants? I do love how happy everyone looks in the group photo.
I agree that Margaret’s ensemble is very puzzling to see, given her usual stylishness.
Diana’s red hat is divine. Here’s a clear side and rear view of that delightful under-brim bow.
0:53-0:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWBZtir88N8
I love a hat that makes a statement from the back as well as the front.
Thanks so much for posting that clip – there’s not an angle of this hat I don’t love. Andrew Parker-Bowles looked very young and suave in the last few frames of the film walking with Charles and Diana.
Agree, Princess Margaret’s whole outfit is random. I actually double-checked her birthdate to see what age she was when this photo was taken–she was 50. The ensemble is so aging for her, I would have pegged her at 15 years older than that. The hat looks quite pretty but it does not connect to the ensemble as a whole. Margaret, you had so many stylish moments, but this was not one of them!
Probably in my top five royal hats
It’s a fab hat, and much bigger than her early ones. It sits somewhat high on her head though I find. She had it edged in dark green for her trip to Wales later in the year.
The brides dress really does follow the same lines as Diana’s – but in its simplicity is more successful.
Had someone sat on Princess Margaret’s hat?!