Queen Elizabeth attended the Cartier Queen’s Cup Polo at Guards Polo Club near Windsor Castle today, as she does most years the day before the Order of The Garter service. To present her namesake award, she repeated her “Wedgwood” hat, a design that often comes up in conversation here at Royal Hats as a widespread favourite.
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The hat follows a familiar Angela Kelly shape with slightly flared, domed crown and an upturned kettle brim. Covered in the same blue silk crepe as the accompanying coat, both the hat and coat are further trimmed in white lace applique that in combination, references famous Wedgwood porcelain. Like most of the Queen’s ensembles, this hat and coat only work in combination together but the two pieces form a duo that is delicate, elegant, restrained and beautiful. Who knew that a simple row of lace used in place of a traditional hatband would work so well but truly, it does.
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Royal Hats 
I don’t understand this hat. It’s such an odd shape, one I’ve never found flattering for HM. The color and the coat are great, especially with the white lace detailing, but this hat just then brings it all down. Also, this looks rather heavy for June despite the color scheme; this seems much more suited for winter, but a straw hat in a different shape would make me like this.
I agree… I’m just not sure a straw hat would continue the unified, smooth Wedgwood feel of this ensemble. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I think this might be one of the few times a fabric hat is needed to deliver this ensemble’s concept!
Jake, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head! There is something about this fabric that looks too heavy for mid-June – the colour tells me it should be spring into summer but the fabric makes me think it should be autumn into winter. The hat shape reminds me of a stiffer version of the fur-trimmed hats that Camilla wears in winter, the sort you pull down to try and keep your ears warm on a country walk after a large Sunday roast.
MrFitzroy is always sure a particular hat has moved from “in the rotation” to serious “Icon Status” –when it is worn and one thinks, “Didn’t HM just wear this a few months ago?” And it turns out it has been four years! That is how familiar this particular hat has become, and despite the usual Angela Kelly caveats, it remains as lovely and well thought out today, as when it debuted!!
HatQueen, have you ever thought of a QE2 Iconic Hat Gallery? Readers could offer suggestions/nominations for the most lovely and memorable hats of the past decade (or whatever period), and then vote on the 10 MOST iconic hats! That process could be no end of fun!
I think you’ve given us something to do this summer, Mr. Fitzroy OBE.
Love it! Josiah Wedgwood was a strong supporter of the abolition of slavery – does anyone know if the Queen’s ever worn this outfit in a nod to that? (I don’t imagine that’s the case in this instance.)
How lovely she looks ! and how animated she’s been the last few outings … I don’t think I’ve ever seen her laugh (rather than smile) so much – so great to see !
When I first saw pictures of this ensemble I was happy see it again! I still love it!
What a lovely hat and outfit. Really classy and classic.
One of my favorite ensembles, but then blue is my favorite color, no matter what the shade. As a youngster, I remember how livid my mother got when someone used her precious Wedgwood dish as an ashtray! Her language that day would have made a sailor blush!
Here’s a peak at HM’s accompanying dress; unfortunately a front shot is hard to come by, since the investiture camera usually is to her back.
November 14, 2017
I love this outfit so much! How I wish she’d worn it for Harry’s wedding instead of that “I’m still blind from the glare of that green thing.”
I love the blue, the lace and the coat. I would love the hat if the crown weren’t so large and the brim so deeply curled. The problem with so many of the Angela Kelly hats seem to be that they lack balance.
I agree. Overall, it’s it a great look, but I can’t say I really love the shape of this hat.
Angela Kelly’s hats often have extreme shapes. I suppose, after seeing so many of them, ones like this, where the trimming does not further set things off balance, seem balanced in comparison!
Beautiful ensemble!
Thank you, Isabelle, for this interesting article.
Finally! One of my favorite hats.
I found this article dated a few years back very interesting and informative about Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe rules, criterias, and teams managing and prodecing her matching outfits and accessories:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227799/A-peek-inside-ones-wardrobe-The-Queens-dresser-reveals-Her-Majs-style-secrets.html