The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the fourth day of racing last Friday at Ascot Racecourse.
Prince William repeated his black antique silk top hat.
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The Princess of Wales wore a new saucer hat with extended brim in red sinamay. The design is trimmed with a large silk bloom and wired silk ribbon tails that swirl around on both the upper and lower sides of the brim. Those under the brim are knotted and shaped just as on Queen Camilla’s hat.
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It’s unlike anything we’ve seen Kate wear before which makes me inclined to love it. Yes, there’s a lot of trim but I think it balances with the extended brim and the unembellished dress.
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Designer: Philip Treacy. Dress by Alexander McQueen
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Thoughts about Kate’s new hat?
Images from Getty as indicated Â
Royal Hats 
Love the Pss. of Wales look (other than the earrings – my, wouldn’t ruby earrings have been amazing?!?!) But, the Prince of Wales with that hat, oh my. I think it is both too large for his head – notice how in some of the pics it is almost resting on his ears and there should be a space approximately the size of the width of a finger between the hat brim and the top of the ear. But, also, I think I’ve finally seen the bigger problem – the hat crown is too wide for his head. When my partner and I were with the top hat man in the days leading to Royal Ascot, we both traded in our already fine silk hats for even nicer hats. One of the things he pointed out was the relationship between the width of your face/head and the width of the crown of the hat. If one’s face is narrow to wear a hat with the crown that is wider makes the hat look too big, even if it technically fits. Likewise, if one’s face is wider/rounder, then the crown of the hat should be similarly wide. William’s hat is wider than his face. It has always bothered me but I’ve never had this bit of knowledge before to realize that is the issue. I really wish he’d make a trip to my top hat guy!
I love this hat, it’s so beautifully executed and to me the design is perfectly balanced – you mention the amount of trim, HatQueen, but the fact that every element seems to belong makes it a triumph. It’s great to see Catherine in larger hats; her face, head and hair suit many different hat shapes, so it’s lovely when we see her taking advantage of that!
I did not expect Princess Catherine to wear red. This is a confident, flirty, fun look. I love the view of the hat from the back, and the swirl of the dress. This whole look flows so well together. Like our late QEII, Catherine can really wear the bright colors.
It’s nice to see Kate in a bigger hat and this red is a good one for her. I don’t entirely love the hat and I’m not sure why. I think it’s too flat? Maybe if it had the tiniest wave or was worn more at an angle. I do like how the trim has been placed to give a nice view from all angles.
Hat Queen, I’m just now able to comment due to travel, and since going back to each post at this point is now rather impractical, I hope you don’t mind a few extra comments here, including some for past posts.
1. The red saucer hat today is my favorite for all of Royal Ascot 2023. The way it gleams in the sun and its vibrant tomato shade is breathtaking. The trim is fantastic, especially the back side.
2. The queen’s new white/black trimmed hat on Day 4 is my 2nd favorite – very nice and different for her.
3. Ian Bennett’s multi-colored creation is simply awesome, although a bit of a challenge for the wearer when climbing in and out of a car. Ha ha.
4. HQ, your medium blue saucer with colorful flowers is truly beautiful. You’re all set for Easter in 2024.
5. Princess Anne:
a) Her repeated blue dress is amazing – someone must have an incredible memory and eye for finding this repeat. (I never liked the term recycling when discussing repeated clothing.)
b) Her repeated hat was worn 31 years ago to Ascot. I posted 2 photos on that past post, then found it in Getty. Realizing most people aren’t going back, I’m putting it here, with a very legal photo. (I emailed you about this.)
June 16, 1992: Royal Ascot
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6. Top Hats: All the toppers are magnificent, and my vote for the absolute perfect example is Prince Michael’s. Prince Edward’s looks a tad too big, and I saw one entirely too small, but I can’t find it now!
PS HQ, your Ascot coverage has been extraordinary, and it must have been more challenging for you, posting the different days on foreign turf. Your own hats were very nice, and I’m glad you had such a good time. Thanks for such a wonderful site to go to for eye candy!
Overall this is a fantastic look for Kate and I like the tomato red on her. The hat is beautiful and the trim is exquisite; my only complaint about it is the actual shape feels a bit flat/dinner plate-esque and I wish it had more of a curve. I personally like the earrings, although I wish there had been a belt or brooch to help break up the red a little more, but that’s minor.
A beautiful hat. I love all the trim. I do hope The Princess of Wales continues to wear larger hats. I agree the earrings were a mismatch.
It’s a bold red look from Kate and she really can carry it off. I don’t love it though, and I can’t put my finger on why. I’d also like to see the hat at a bit more of an angle, it just feels a bit flat on her head.
It’s interesting that you (HQ) say that there’s “a lot of trim”: to my amateur eye it doesn’t look like that and perhaps that’s why it’s so successful. From the fantastic selection of photos, you can appreciate just how well designed the hat is with fascinating details visible from all angles. I agree that remainder of the look is quite austere and streamlined which lets the hat take centre stage. The colour is also excellent.
The red color looks outstanding, beautiful and elegant outfit. The large hat looks divine.
Agree – she looks absolutely marvellous in this larger hat – its gorgeous. My only gripe is the cheap,casual looking earrings which just dont go – some bold gemmed earrings would have been amazing, or some of her many kikis would have even been better! Hope we see more of these larger hats on the PoW.
I like the back of the hat, nicely done
I love Kate’s hat! Such a nice, bright color and this larger hat looks good on her, too! She hasn’t worn a percher hat in a while! I am enjoying the new styles she is wearing!
It is good to see the Princess wear a bolder look for Ascot. Polished as always. I especially like the wired ribbons.