60 years to the April 1960 state visit that saw Queen Elizabeth welcome Charles de Gaulle in a most interesting hat. With a hybrid lampshade cloche shape, the hat’s flat crown curves in an angular hourglass curves to a short brim. Wide silk ribbon is used for a hatband and for the brim’s binding, which is unusually tied in a side bow. My thanks to reader Mary for suggesting this fascinating design!
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Photo from Getty and The British Monarchy as indicated
Although agreeing with others that the hat is definitely of its time, I think it’s a very interesting, though unusual shape and style, and of course that shade of blue is one of HM’s best colors — thanks to Jimbo for locating that photo on eBay. (And I must add that that’s a surprisingly low price for a magazine that old!)
Have been reserving my comments until I saw the hat in color, and knew that Jimbo would be all over this!
I like this hat very much. It is a cloche- like hat with some substance- – some height on the crown,or maybe “heft” is a better word? It is a good balance to the coat, I think. Not a classic to withstand the test of time, but attractive in its context.
I like your term “lampshade cloche,” HatQueen — I didn’t know how to characterize it. It’s a bit odd, but charming. I’m interested in the nubby texture. And what a pretty shade of blue.
Just realized that this was taken just two months after the birth of Prince Andrew. What a trooper!
OK, now we know for sure: it’s blue.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Paris-Match-N-575-16-avril-1960-Charles-de-Gaulle-et-Elisabeth-Special-Londres-/272664199731
Not the best color photo, but none the less we see it’s blue or purple.
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/official-visit-of-charles-de-gaulle-to-the-united-kingdom-news-photo/166460018?adppopup=true
I just had a shock – before realizing that 1960 was in fact only 60 years ago, not 70 (mops brow). I didn’t think HM had been reigning that long!
I don’t much care for the hat – it perches so high it looks like it’s too small for her head. But I guess small hats were in style.