Yesterday we looked at Queen Elizabeth’s hats at the Epsom Races from the late 1940s until 1964; today, we continue this sweeping retrospective with her toppers (and many turbans!) through the end of the 1970s. Special thanks to Jimbo for his assistance finding most of these photos.
Here are the hats Queen Elizabeth wore to the Epsom races from 1965 to 1979:
June 2 and 4, 1965
May 25 and 27, 1966
June 1 and 3, 1967
May 31 and June 1, 1968; 1969
June 1 and 3, 1970; 1971
1972 and 1973
June and July 1974
1977, 1978 and 1979 in Frederick Fox
The turbans of the early 1960s in yesterday’s post continue here throughout that decade. What’s fascinating for me is the introduction of brims in the early 1970s, with a return to the voluminous turbans for a few more years. The first hat in 1971 was entirely new for me with it’s teal overlapping mini-visor around the front, a unique touch on a turban. What do you notice about the Queen’s hats during this period?
Stay tuned tomorrow for what’s sure to be some memorable millinery during the 1980s and 1990s.
Photos from Ray Bellisario/Popperfoto, Popperfoto, Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho, PA Images, Victor Blackman/Express/Hulton Archive, McCabe/Express/Hulton Archive, Fox Photos, Rolls Press/Popperfoto, Ray Bellisario/Popperfoto, Anwar Hussein, Ray Bellisario/Popperfoto, Rolls Press/Popperfoto, Bernard Allemane\INA, Anwar Hussein, Keystone, Roger Jackson/Central Press, Anwar Hussein, Rolls Press/Popperfoto and Tim Graham Photo Library all via Getty Images
Royal Hats 
Well done Jimbo and Hat Queen! Loved the variations. Interesting how the brims are much bigger in the early 70’s.
It is a sign of my age that I remember those hats from the seventies in real time, but it is fun to see them again. This post has given me so much pleasure in these strange times – thank you.
Well, I guess turbans were in fashion then. I have to say I like the use of the white scarf on blue hat from 1977. I don’t know if the hat would be called a turban or a large pillbox or something else, but I like the interesting use of the scarf as a “trim.”
The June 1974 hat was worn on October 20, 1973 at the Sydney Opera House. Also, HM wore it when Queen Margrethe visited Windsor Castle 2 months previous to Epsom.
April 30, 1974
Here’s the June 1, 1967 hat in color, from the previous year.
September 8, 1966
Embed from Getty Images
Here’s the first hat in 1966, in colour
Embed from Getty Images
There’s some corkers here aren’t there! Can’t say I’m a fan of HM’s turban era; but I do love her brimmed hats from this era. The 1972 number is lovely, and was worn on her state visit to France, where I think she was indeed labelled très chic! Embed from Getty Images
Great retrospective – it really was the age of the turban, wasn’t it? I have to say the yellow and white cloche from 1978 caught my eye. I don’t recall seeing the Queen wear this shape too often, but it’s very becoming and I love the strong graphic element of that contrasting white trim.
I really enjoy your posts, especially now with no royal events. Thanks.
YES! 5 years ago, I had no idea what Epsom was. Now I look forward to it at the beginning of June because it’s like an appetizer of hats before the main courses Trooping the Color and Ascot. I thought this week would be so sad but this is so fun you have me chomping at the bit (like a race horse LOL!!) for the next post.
1970 & 71 – Lawd have mercy!
Not to mention the conehead of 1965!!
Trish, do you mean the first one? If so, that also caught my eye, but I can’t tell if it’s crocheted or not.
Oh no! I love that weird sea anemone one from June 3, 1970. I think it’s one of the best examples of that weird 60s hat style, sleek, in a good color, solid color with just enough shine to emphasize the pleating, and with interesting back trim rather than just being a million fuzzy things or flowers.
I agree Shannon C, 3 June 1970 is probably my favorite overall of this whole collection because of the features you highlight. The 1 June 1967 doesn’t look good in black & white, but is saved (at least somewhat) by the tangerine color Jimbo featured in another comment. For having a lot of brown, I really like the look of 1972’s upturned brim hat, but it sits too far back and a bit high on HM’s head for my tastes. Like the first batch though, most of these feel rather repetitive and not very flattering IMO unfortunately.