I’m so happy to chat with Jay Cheng, creator of Jaycow Millinery, about all the royal hats at Ascot today!
Princess Anne repeated an almond straw cloche variation with diagonal crown. The brim features a contrasting chocolate straw underbrim and and tall wrap around the crown over which sits a ruched chocolate raw silk hatband. A mass of cream and dotted pheasant feathers on the side complete the hat.
Royal Hats: We have seen Anne wear this a few times and I much prefer it with the embroidered coat she wore for the Queen’s 90th birthday. Something about those two pieces pair better than today’s ensemble- the colours look more complimentary on Anne and the hat looks less dated.
Jay Cheng: It’s a very classic look, the slanted crown and the upturned brim paring with a front buttoned mid calf coat. I looks like Princess Anne just walked off the set of an old movie. The usual Princess Anne style, classic and conservative.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Jul 10, 2018; Jun 10, 2016; May 20, 2016; Jun 19, 2015; Nov 19, 2007; Jun 2006
What do you think of Anne’s hat today?
Photos from Getty as indicated
The look may not be a modern one, but I feel the lively trimming of the hat is more Ascot-y than the sleeker looks sported by some of the younger royals.
I love this hat. I don’t mind that Anne repeats clothes and hats, but this hat – as much as I love it – has a very Autumn/Winter look about it, so I’m not sure it is the best choice for a Spring/Summer event.
This coat and scarf are both frumpy. I agree that the hat goes with the 90th birthday dress much, much better. It’s a beautiful hat.
It’s a fine look for Anne, but one we’ve seen so often, and definitely most successful with that embroidered coat! My real issue here is how drab all the brown and beige is, especially for Ascot, and is made even more drab by the rainy weather unfortunately. Anne has had a few crazy and colorful Ascot outings in the past, and I would love to see one of those brought back out again.
I do like this as a hat, but I have to say that in this context, the overall impression is rather utilitarian, which isn’t what one expects at Ascot. YOu are right, HatQueen, Anne would have looked much better with the embroidered coat from the church service.
It’s a good hat but I feel like we’ve seen it a million times.
Anyone else notice the small umbrella Princess Anne carried. Mark of an independent woman
Is this a first? Anne wearing red lipstick? it looks fantastic with her outfit colours- hope she does this more often.
Her hat is a good one, but I feel it would look more impressive if the Crown Princess wasn’t wearing the equestrian style scarf, plus the rough textured, more “relaxed” style of coat . Both these elements casualize the outfit – so the whole look seems more appropriate for opening a provincial fete, than for Ascot. As HQ says, another coat – one more refined in fabric and style, with an open neckline (something Camilla — who has got these things nailed — never compromises on) is virtually essential for the level of refinement this event requires.
I’ve always liked this hat on Anne. And I also generally comment that I wish she would take the Edwardian vibe of the hat and run with it. Her outfit is practical. And that is that.
Jay, your description is spot on – she looks like she just walked off the set of an old movie. Note that today’s coat was worn for the hat’s November 19, 2007 outing! Anne really does hang on to her clothes.