to this day in 1937, 83 years ago, when Queen Mary opened the Rachel MacMillan Training College in one of her characteristic toque hats. This one has an architectural ruffle trimming the top of the crown.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
PhotosLo from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
This post had me looking at your excellent ‘glossary’ of hats, Hat Queen. While I had noticed the word toque before, perhaps because it is getting chillier, I realized the meaning of this word (and I suspect the pronunciation) is very different from what my Canadian eyes would normally see or understand. Yes, the Canadian toque (prononcée ‘tooque’’ where I live) is brimless so I can see the derivation. Thanks for broadening my view of hats!
“Pronounced”
Catherine- I’m also Canadian and the first time I saw “toque” I also couldn’t make sense of it! This hat type, I believe, is pronounced as the verb, “talk.”
I think “t-oh-k” would be the usual UK pronunciation (not that it’s a word in common usage here, since it isn’t used for the winter headgear, and Queen Mary’s hats don’t come up for discussion all that often among the general public…)
Thanks!
It occurs to me that Queen Mary’s toques perfectly suit her face in the same way that Zara Tindall’s perchers suit hers. You never really hear about anyone wearing toques today – did the percher evolve from the toque?
I love the term “architectural ruffle”!
Me too!
The ruffle is an unusual and attractive trim. Thanks, Jimbo, for the video. It is indeed gloomy, but showcases the sparkle on those earrings.
Here’s a very brief video of today’s hat, but unfortunately rather gloomy. The Queen was “in” Fleet Street.