to this day in 1985 which saw the Princess of Wales attend the ‘Children of Courage Awards’ at Westminster Abbey in a tall brimless hat in deep periwinkle blue felt, trimmed with the Prince of Wales’ tri-feather heraldic badge (also in felt) on the front.
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Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
This is such an 80s look. It bridges the gap between her earlier, more twee outfits (the puffed sleeves and grilled blouse), and her later ones, with a hat that Alexis would have jumped at. All in a fabulous shade of purple. I love it!
(Also, I seem to recall she had this hat in red too…)
May 12, 1989: Festival of Flowers, Westminster Cathedral (FIVE feathers!)
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Great shade of blue on Diana, her coat was beautiful, if dated. Mcncln, thanks for the Christmas video. Do all you ladies miss the 80’s styles?
Here’s a better close-up of the ensemble with better detail.
March 5, 1986: Hull, England
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Thanks, again, Jimbo!
Thanks, Jimbo: thieve show the heraldic badge more clearly. And that’s a firm “no” from me about missing the ‘80s fashions.
Side views of the hat showing the indented crown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ERTR_hUWww . The embroidered jacket, with its leg-o’-mutton sleeves, is worn with a matching midi skirt and the ensemble is accessorised with brown knee boots and a brown fur muff.
The outfit as a whole has the flavour of an Edwardian bicycle-riding costume –with the hat shape reminding me of a Hussar’s busby, and reinforcing the Russian effect of the muff. It’s all too theatrical and military and literal for my taste; and I’m not sure that such a hat could be worn successfully with the dress styles of today. However I must admit that Diana wore this hat very well –as she did so many hat styles.,
Thanks for the clip, mcncln. Even for the ‘80s, that was a lot of look. But I agree that she wore the hat well.
I remember this event! Fabulous color on Princess Diana. I love the Prince of Wales Feathers detail.