This week’s discussion question has us diving back into Queen Elizabeth’s millinery closet. It’s going to be a colourful discussion as we explore, dearest readers, which one of her hats contains the most unusual (or unique) combination of colours?
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A tutti fruitti angular cloche at Royal Ascot in 2009 and a lilac & turquoise hat at a 2008 palace garden party
Photos by Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
We can’t forget Rachel Trevor Morgan’s “Union Jack” hat! I’m not usually a fan of blue and red together but this is wonderful.
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I think the subtlety of the red makes it work – I’d like to see this one worn again.
I love the unusual colour combination of mouse grey and turquoise in this suede beret worn at Balmoral: (Scroll down to photo in row # 20 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5807141/Candid-snaps-taken-four-decades-Royal-family-away-public-gaze.html
mint and lilac???
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This reads turquoise on my monitor, and I think turquoise and lilac is not too unusual a combination. Mint and lilac would be more unusual, certainly.
Who could forget the #Neonat90 outfit worn for Trooping the Colour in 2016?
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I remember standing in the Mall to watch the procession – Her Majesty certainly stood out against the guardsmen in their scarlet tunics.
The blues and yellow in this hat make a striking combination
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Wow James, the effect of those colours together is so bright!
Again, the colour of the hat can be seen in the dress up close but it’s more difficult to make out from further away
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I always thought this coat was navy but in this photo it looks more purple – either way, it is a contrast with the mustard yellow hat
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I realise it mtches the dress underneath but the colour combination is still striking.
Newbury (the town, not the races, I think), 1993. For me, the silky bow is unexpected both in terms of its colour and its sheen against the matte hat.
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Newbury Races, 1990. Bit of an optical illusion vibe going on with the pattern too.
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I’m putting this in because the longer I look at the trim on the hat the less I like it! Flowers? Still, not sure. Gingham, yes, and it looks as though her dress is too. London Zoo, 1980. But it’s a fawn and cream gingham and she’s wearing white gloves!
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Bahamas, 1985. The flowers don’t tie the two parts of the hat together and seem a bit sparse (and the ruffles on the shoulders of her dress leave me slightly bewildered). The colours in the hat and dress are all the same but all seem to be fighting each other, IMHO.
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Sorry HQ, just saw your post on the same hat, down the thread.
Beautiful brooch, lovely smile, crazy Paisley hat by Phillip Somerville. Worn on the Isle of Man, 1989.
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Not being able to see the whole hat gives me pause, but what are the blue and white polka dots doing there? Epsom Derby 1987.
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Just for Jimbo – the same outfit was worn with a different hat in 1988 for James Ogilvy’s wedding. I’m not sure this is much better. The ‘berries’ are a bit strange.
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In the Bahamas, 1985. Are slightly mis-matching shades as bad as clashing colours? And the trim appears to bear no relation to the style of the hat which is something like a curtailed bowler.
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Here’s another view of it where the flowers look pinky-purple and the hat looks salmon.
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This must rank among my lead favourite hats. It doesn’t flatter the wearer at all and the colours seem mismatched.
The outfit also seems fussy and ageing – not like the sleeker lines we see today.
Not an unusual colour scheme, as such. It’s just that there’s so much of it … and a turban! On the Queen!! (Okay, I know she wore them but they always seem much more like Princess Margaret’s gig.)
State visit to Mexico, 1975:
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Yes, this hat first worn in Pakistan in 1997 executes this particular colour scheme much more successfully:
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We can’t forget this whopper in olive, lime, black, tomato red and white
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That description sounds more like a sad than a hat!
Bad typo – I meant SALAD!
At least the dress wasn’t in the same print as the, um….hat!! HM would have looked like an electric/mod Babushka!
This remains one of MrFitzroy’s least favorite hats ever worn by HM.
One of my favourites of her terrible hats!
I almost daren’t say this for fear if being lynched but I actually quite like the hat.
It’s of its time obviously and I think on anyone else it would look hideous but there is just something about the way Her Majesty wears it: the regal bearing, the combination with the white dress and the emerald brooch which knits the components together into one outfit. It almost says “It’s my Silver Jubilee tour of the South Pacific and I’ll wear what I like”.
It’s so very much of the time (and rather fearless), which makes me nostalgically like it as well, James! I adore that she had the chutzpah to carry it off.
Orange, green and purple
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think this one has to be in the top 10 of worst hats(or bottom 10 of best hats to be slightly more positive!) – im afraid for me it looks like a kids craft project!
Magenta and midnight blue. I love how the coat’s fabric is woven in these two colours, the threads connecting so well with the magenta silk hat. They style is very dated but looking at colour alone, this is one of my favourites!
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Grass green, lime, turquoise and royal blue
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Fuchsia and royal purple
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i love this colour combination and quite daring for hm
It’s wonderfully punchy and saturated, isn’t it? I admire it greatly on her because it’s far brighter than anything I would wear!
Peacock blue and sunshine yellow
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Unusual colour combination and a very timeless ensemble to boot. I love this look.
I agree this is a beautiful outfit and I like the black shoes and bag.
This hat worn in Hungary in 1993 is an unusual and unexpected combination of colours
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This may win for the most colors in one hat!
Indeed- we’ll have to bring this back and see if there are any other royal hats that are more colourful!
wow! think ive seen this before but always gives me a shock!!
This combination worn during Golden Jubilee year isn’t unique but is very colourful and cheerful
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The fluorescent green butterfly trim on this hat is rather unexpected
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Bonkers!
Perhaps a bit harsh – but certainly very unexpected.
Oh no disrespect intended, James. I love how the Queen sometimes has a ‘whatever’ hat or outfit or both and simply by force of personality makes it work! She’s worn some doozies over the years and I admire her in every one of them.
This navy and pink combination is delightful but not one we see often on Her Majesty
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Pretty!
I agree, it’s gorgeous!
This colours turquoise and black hat aren’t so much unusual as the type of trim is unusual
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Good point- the trim gives this hat such a different feel than this Rachel Trevor Morgan design in a very similar colour scheme
Love the brooch on the hat!
hmmmm
do wish there was more precious jewellery on hats
This black and lime green combo springs to mind – especially since we seldom see Her Majesty in black
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Two very interesting green ensembles: the first is jade and purple. Look closely at the patterned fabric crown, tying the purple hat with the green coat.
The second, in emerald and cornflower blue, is surprisingly similar. I prefer the punchy colour contrast of this one.
Magenta and teal
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Seeing this hat made me realize how similar it is to this newer version by Angela Kelly (made by Stella McLaren)
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Tangerine and Turquoise
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Yes, this is an unusual combination. I really like it. I guess it’s a variation on blue and orange which are complementary colours on a colour wheel, but still not a common combination.
Yes, I particularly liked this colour combo and hat on HM.
Coral and mauve
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We don’t often see colour blocked hats on Her Majesty- this one, with a lime lattice brim and bright coral straw crown, is an unusual one for her. It makes more sense with the printed dress (4th photo in the gallery below).
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Oh, I quite like this combo! We certainly have seen some daring outfits in this post, thanks HQ!
PS check your email, por favor.
Here’s another colour blocked hat, this one in felt with an orange/red brim and chocolate crown. Unfortunately, I’m not able to embed it here.
Colour blocking in Belize, 1985. Strange shaped hat too, at least in profile.
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More colour blocking in Bonn in 1992.
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I like this hat. I could see it on Queen Maxima. The coral is so rich and a great contrast to the green.
This pastel green and yellow outfit always seemed twee to me and the ensemble is not helped by the awkward hat shape!
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This ensemble fascinates me- of all the colours to pull from the dress for accessories, the royal blue is a bit unexpected! See a closer view of the dress and hat here
I always thought that from a distance, this tomato red small hat was an interesting pairing with the dark green suit. Of course, at close view the print of the suit ties it in but I still don’t find it harmonious
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What about this?
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You beat me to it – I was going to suggest that one.
Red and green should never be seen.
Good at Christmas, though!
Good heavens! it’s the outfit, rather than the hat, which I can’t get over.
No problem picking her out of the crowd in that outfit!
I love all different kind of colour combinations some good some well….. but still mixing colors makes me happy
Not entirely related but found this on YouTube…. skip to 1hr41 and the QM milliner discusses the reason for the silk band often seen just under the front of the QMs hats…. maybe the QM style deserves one of these Summer posts…. possibly the best shade she had a hat in?
So interesting! Thanks for sharing.
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I always thought this lime, yellow and black hat (worn to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad in 2009) was an interesting combination, particularly with the bright turquoise also in the print of her dress.
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With such a vivid print, why not a black hat trimmed with the brights? She really is fearless with colors!
Gosh, this is interesting, I don’t remember seeing it before – thank you! I think it must have been planned in the knowledge that the dress would be worn in a warm climate without a top layer, as this is a hat that would seem really puzzling if the dress were not visible. Although maybe a coat in plain lime green to match the hat might have also created a viable look. (Do we know if the hat has ever been worn again?!)
I love that hat, and it was only seen once to my knowledge. The dress did get worn recently (10 years on), so I rather hope it might get a spin again soon. It’s just so fabulous and funky!
One of the most unusual color combos for me, and certainly one of the most unflattering for HM in my opinion:
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Swamp green, butter yellow, and Pepto Bismol pink? Oh boy . . .
Oh, I have to agree. This is not good. There are the color schemes which are unusual, but work in their way, like HQ’s choice of the fun tutti frutti, and then there are the complete disasters, like this.
I’mNot sure I’d say this one was a success…
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JamesB, for some strange reason I’ve always liked this outfit-it just screams Braemar or some casual outdoor equestrian activity. So tweedy and warm! I don’t think it was worn often, though.
I know what you mean… but it wasn’t popular at the time. This angle doesn’t show it, but I think the yellow scarf was a bit harsh though.
This is the first hat that came to mind for MrFitzroy…..the combination of the soft chalky pastels juxtaposed with the bright pink and magenta elements. Looking at the dress details, one can see the basis for the color theme….is it successful? Hmmmm.
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Do photo-bombs count? It certainly makes for a unique look!
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These all demonstrate HM’s dedication to having her hat trim match the colors in her dress. This strategy often creates a polished ensemble, but can backfire into an color overload!
We just saw this one in the Tallest Crowns post, but it’s also notable for the mismatched shades of pink: Embed from Getty Images
There’s also one of the Balmoral hats https://royalhats.net/2018/08/28/church-hats-in-scotland/ and a more successful look in a similar color combination Embed from Getty Images
The similar color combo…reversed, and a bit more electric!
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July 3, 2010: Winnipeg
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Certainly unusual, but could’ve been more successful with a different hat design. This one was flattering at certain angles, but quite odd otherwise.
Also, you forgot to add my favorite photo of this hat!
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Take a cold shower, Jake!
Haha! I think I may need one too!
Here are a few with peculiar color schemes that jumped out at me. And peculiar prints as well.
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from 1987
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in 1978
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in 1983
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I adore this feathered one from the 80s
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Hat queen! I hope I’ve done the images correctly this time, if not I’ll take them down.
I have never seen the feather and veiled one. It is quite lovely! From the top of my head I cannot remember The Queen wearing a veil on her hat (except for her father’s funeral of course). Great find Shannon!
I know! The veil stood out to me too as being very unusual! It seemed appropriate too since right now it seems that veiled/netted hats are having a come back (though not on HM). The only other veils I remember off the top of my head are from when she was visiting the vatican, and only one of those was on a hat (and of course the vatican is sort of an exception). She wore a black veil with hat on her visit in 2000
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with a tiara in 1980 and 1961
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and just a lace veil as Princess Elizabeth in 1951.
But then your comment made me wonder about whether she wore any other non-vatican veiled hats that I couldn’t remember. I found this one from a trip to a mosque in Pakistan Like the vatican veils, that one seems to be added for the sake of respect to the religious institution. Also wonder of wonders she’s wearing purple socks and no shoes (everyone else is wearing no shoes too so again must be a religious thing)
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Upon further searching, there are a few more from the 80s like the one above- one from 1987 with a veil a lot like the veil on the feathered one
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and one from 1980
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and one from a trip to Spain in 1988
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I have to stop now, or I’ll spend my whole afternoon down this wonderful rabbit hole! In spite of the fact that in the current era I find HM’s hats to usually be both beautiful and sort of boring because they tend to be fairly similar in shape and size, I don’t think there is anyone in the whole world (probably in the whole of the 20th-21st century) who has worn as many different types of hats as she has. It’s really fabulous to go searching.
Holy smokes you are amazing! GREAT finds! It’s those little veils that Princess Diana used to always wear which I cannot remember on the Queen. You found some great ones! Thank you!
Shannon M, great finds! there are quite a few more veiled hats worn by HM – probably worth a whole post!
November 27, 2009: Bermuda
http://hermajestyscloset.blogspot.com/2015/04/paisley-turquoise-skit-suit.html
Wow! That’s a lot to take in! The colors are nice though 🙂
HatQueen, what a fantastic topic today! I actually like your 2nd choice of lilac and turquoise.
July 5, 2010: Pinewood Studios, Toronto
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I’ve always liked the lilac and turquoise too.
Your hat above appeared at about the same time as Jake’s swamp green – butter yellow – Pepto Bismol pink number. The two have dangerously similar color schemes and both were worn with yellow coats. Seems to be an odd coincidence.