Thanks to Jimbo for providing the introduction and background research for the posts on Queen Elizabeth featured in this “Monday Multiples” series.
Jimbo’s Introduction: As a part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a river pageant was held in Queen Elizabeth’s honor. Only once before in British history was a Royal able to achieve such a noteworthy feat, that being Her Majesty’s great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted 63½ years. The white coat and hat stood out against the barge’s red upholstered furniture, and the various red and black uniforms. Even her shawl’s edges matched the ensemble. Three years later, Her Majesty traveled to Berlin, where SIX hats were debuted! Among them was a bright white straw hat with a large central bow made of the same material as the dress, replacing the Diamond Jubilee hat. By happy coincidence, this ensemble was also worn for a boat ride, this time on the Spree River.
Look #1: White fabric covered hat with pleated silk oblique brim trimmed with bejeweled gold, silver and bronze feathers worn June 3, 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant.
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Look #2: White straw hat with pork pie shaped flared crown and flat, kettle edged brim with prim bow worn June 24, 2015 in Germany
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Which hat do you prefer most with this coat?
Photos from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
I have to admit that I never liked #1. Even while the events were being shown live on TV, I already didn’t like it! I know the hat is not at all lampshade-shaped, but that pleated fabric is so similar to some lampshades in my house that whenever I see it, it makes me think of lampshades.
I do like #2, even while admitting that I had never before seen photos of that event or knew that alternate hat existed. Some here apparently do not like the shape or the style of the bow, but I think it’s very nice.
I’ll also mention, though we’re here to discuss hats, not coats, that I really like those interesting pleats at the bottom of the coat on the Westminster Abbey photo posted by Jimbo in the comments section.
Loved the first hat
I’m in the minority here. I absolutely dislike the “Tudor” style hat and really love the 2nd white straw. I don’t think the bow on Hat #2 is twee at all. It’s a nice tie-in (ha! See what I did there?) to her coat.
I’m with you SalannB, I’m not a fan of the first hat. I think #2 ties in with the jacket better (love your pun!).
My first reaction seeing hat #1 was that it was very “twee,” It looks like a homemade craft project with bedazzling and feathers and draping. I don’t like the base of the crown sticking out under the brim. The hat is confusing me as that part appears like a pillbox which is not a flattering shape on HM. If that was removed it might look better.
Shanon, what do you think of the example below, with the crown being more visible due to the smaller brim? I seem to recall comments here at Royal Hats about HM’s 60th Anniversary ensemble, and “twee” was indeed bantered about because of the flowers under the brim, and perhaps the pleats in the coat. It’s all quite a look, eh?
June 4, 2013: Westminster Abbey
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Thanks for finding this Jimbo. It is better than the 2012 hat for a couple of reasons (IMHO). The flowers do cover the “pillbox portion of the crown,” and the brim is not as wide and sweeping. So, I prefer this 2013 hat over the 2012 Jubilee hat. You brought up the ruffles on the jacket, and that I think that also fights with the brim, whereas hat #2 balances it better. The Queen has had so many glorious hats over the years, but, for me, this is not one of them.
Color aside, the Kermit green hat from 2016 is a great shape that flatters Her Majesty:
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I am in with the majority here, in preferring the first hat, which has a much more interesting shape than the second. It’s not one of my favourite royal hats, but it is memorable – like the “Tudor” Investiture hat and the pink bells of the Silver Jubilee.
Well look 1, but I think both have major flaws. I just think this is a good example of Angela K’s heavy hand with the trim box. The coat is lovely, but could do without the pleated trim that just looks a bit home made. The hat, well if you look at it compared to the masterful hand of the Somerville pink swirl, it looks a tad amateurish and blocky. Nice idea, I just feel the execution could be better.
Hat 2 is just a bit too big and inflated and the bow is twee. Interestingly this is a very similar shape to the hat work for the Jubilee church service which I felt was much more successful.
I do like the white to stand out though. I remember being out in the rain to watch the river pageant, and being able to discern the little white shape of HM as she floated past!
Yes, my daughter and I were there too. As you say, it was really helpful to have the Queen in white, and I suspect that the particularly swept-up hat shape may also have been designed to let the Queen’s face be seen as widely as possible in those unusual circumstances.
I loved this coat with its silver-, gold- and platinum-coloured embroidery! I thought it was a delightful thematic nod. The first hat is the better match, to my eye. The second looks too icy white and the shape seems to compete with the coat’s neckline.
I prefer the first hat. I am not a fan of the pork pie style hat and agree with the comment about that it looks too Alice-In-Wonderland like or, as I was going to say, cartoonish.
There seems to be a pie theme. The ruffle and collar on her coat look like a pie crust. Not a fan of either look. The bedazzled coat looks cheap. The Jubilee hat looks like ruched curtains held down by a terrycloth headband.
I like the first one and wish she would do more with this upturned brim.
Love HM’s unique Diamond Jubilee hat but the second white hat is way too Alice in Wonderland-like.
Definitely the first hat! The second hat looks slightly unfinished and small for me. I love the beading that matches the coat on the crown of the first hat!!
I much prefer HM in colors, so the white will never be my favorite. I like both hats though, the jubilee one has more of a “special occasion” shape, while the second one looks more like her standard daywear. I really like the bow on the hatband on the second one. It’s a bit twee, but I think the geometrical hat balances with it nicely and the bow has such a nice shape.