54 years to November 1967 and a visit to Malta that saw Queen Elizabeth in a fascinating hat. From side view, it doesn’t seem particularly noteworthy but but that changes once viewed from the front. It’s white cap… with a hat on top?
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Do any of you remember seeing this unique hat before?
Images from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 
It reminds me of some of the folk hats (hat over bonnet) that were traditional in Europe. I thought maybe a nod to Maltese folk traditions? But not if it also got an airing in Canada!
First thing that came to mind…..the old Flying Nun TV series…..
Embed from Getty Images
LOL, it does have that vibe, doesn’t it?
MrFitzroy, these nuns look nothing like the nuns of my youth; mine were tough as nails, like Sr. Mary Stigmata in “Blues Brothers.” To this day, the sight of a 12 inch ruler gives me chills.
I enjoyed the Canadian picture, if only for seeing Mayor Judy LaMarsh, in her hat. The female mayor of my Canadian town declined to wear a hat when HM visited (possibly on the same tour). It caused quite the scandal at the time!
It’s not exactly the same thing, but thing reminded me of a couple of Sophie’s Ascot hats:
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
HM’s looks more like a visor than a skullcap, though.
This hat could have debuted earlier that year, in Canada. Here’s a good shot at the underside. Now I’m convinced that it made at least two outings too many!
July 1, 1967: Ottawa, Canada
Embed from Getty Images
A brilliant addition as always, Jimbo! Thanks so much.
Jimbo, thanks for reminding me of that Canadian tour. We were in Canada while HM was there in ’67, and I remember being furious at my parents for not being willing to take me to one of her public events that was not that far away from us, and being forced to just watch it on TV!
This hat is quite flattering at certain angles and then awkward at other angles. The apparent almost cerulean shade is a lovely color, but the high level of visibility of the skullcap part (made worse by being in white) that helps secure the hat to HM’s head is an odd design choice.
It reminds me a lot of the design of a vintage hat I used to have, although the skullcap part was much more subtle (and it helped being in all black too): https://www.etsy.com/listing/1030081482/vintage-bonnet-style-black-wide-brim-hat?show_sold_out_detail=1&ref=nla_listing_details (hope this link is okay). I think if HM’s hat had a bit more of a bonnet shape like this black one, it could’ve been quite successful.