For Friday the 13th today, I thought a black hat would be fitting- imagine my surprise to find this design, worn October 30, 1994 on a visit to Russia. Queen Elizabeth seldom wears black hats for regular engagements and this design, with upswept brim and yellow houndstooth-esque patterned hatband, seems like an unusual choice for a state visit. Do any of you remember this hat?
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Please use the comments to also share any hats or royal hat news from today.
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
Where are the pictures of the countess of wessex in Brunei this month?
Yellow and black, maybe a reference to the russian imperial flag?
Princess Hisako at the 1st Nutrition Day ceremony on August 7th in Yokohama.
Princesses Hisako and Ayako attended the 53rd Japan Sea Boys’ National Convention in Fukuoka on August 4-5
Princess Ayako visited Ehime Prefecture October 2-4 for the 72nd National Sports Festival
Lilian Bale
Professor Brenda Gibson
Princess Beatrix at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the “Society for the Rescue of People from Drowning” in Amsterdam on October 12:
http://2.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:128282338:1800×650:w?v=59dca963&m=lboiinno
close-up
http://0.t.cdn.belga.be/belgaimage:128282332:1800×650:w?v=59dca963&m=anmknehn
Love that burgundy straw!
CP Masako attended a memorial ceremony for people who died in work accidents on October 11th:
one more
Thanks very much for this close-up. It’s such a plain looking hat from a distance, it’s only now that I appreciate the extra detailing in the different materials and the very subtle inner rim.
On October 11th, Princess Akiko attended the 15th National Self-Defense Force Officer Awards ceremony in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
http://www.sankei.com/politics/photos/171011/plt1710110059-p1.html
Princess Nobuko’s and Princess Akiko’s outfits are so well-matched you would think they had come together to the same event!
From September 16-18th, Princess Nobuko was in Yamagata Prefecture for the Murayama City Rose Festival 2017.
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“Hands on” diplomatic relations! So much for royal protocol. I think the hat is navy also.
I am plumping for black for the hat and a black and yellow abstract print on silk for the blouse and hat band based on a mix of photos I have seen and the rest of The Queen’s accessories. That black and gold combination was popular in the 1990s. The idea of The Queen wearing a Hawaiian print in Moscow in October had me hooting with laughter. I quite like this hat especially this side view.
Despite that Reuters photo, I’m also thinking that it’s black, mainly because I’m old enough to actually remember that trip! However, to New Gardens hatter’s reference to the fabric as a Hawaiian print, I have to disagree – I live in Florida, which is probably home to more Hawaiian prints anywhere besides Hawaii, and this print doesn’t come close to being a Hawaiian print – it’s only got two colors in it!
I think it’s actually navy, which makes much more sense with yellow. It’s not doing a lot for her, washes her out a bit I think.
Yes JamesB, it does look navy in this photo http://live.reuters.com/Event/Queen_Elizabeth_longest_reigning_UK_monarch?Page=1
I like a felt hat…. but on HM, this hat is a fairly utilitarian shape; and as far as trim (or lack of it) goes, the band look somehow like a Hawaiian print – an odd look for a winter felt hat, especially when worn with a fur coat!
What a fascinating collection of Reuters photographs, mcncin.
The hat really doesn’t do HM justice.
I still think black but The Queen is wearing Queen Mary’s Russian Brooch (sapphire and diamonds) which was a gift from Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia for Mary’s wedding to the future George V in 1893. Maybe the hat matches the brooch.
No doubt about it – it’s navy. Here HM is on her 70th birthday, April 21, 1996. Happy weekend everyone.
Embed from Getty Images
Much as I was sure it was black, I do have to concede that it definitely looks navy blue in these two photos, and actually so do her gloves! Navy blue would certainly justify the wearing of the sapphire brooch more than black would.
Agreed- all of these other photos show that it’s navy. Well done, everyone!