Imperial Royals Support Red Cross

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Royal Hats

The Japanese Red Cross Society’s annual convention took place in Tokyo yesterday. The event was attended by Empress Michiko (Honorary President), Princess Kiko, Princess Hanako, Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako (all Honorary Vice Presidents). Empress Michiko used the occasion to bring out a new white saucer hat trimmed with white flowers and grey leaves.

2015-05-13 Red cross

Princess Kiko wore a white silk rounded pillbox (it looks to be this one) and Princess Hanako repeated her smart ecru hat with square crown and linear, upturned brim. Princess Nobuko wore a white pillbox with navy crown and side flower trim while Princess Hisako topped her elegant blue suit with a small hat in the same shade that looks to be sporting a stylish, Trilby-esque brim. In 2015 we have seen the Imperial royal ladies step out in some in some more interesting hats than we have seen in years past and I’m so pleased to see this trend continue.

Photos from Yomiuri and Getty as indicated

Imperial Couple Award Midori Prize

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Royal Hats

The Midori Prize is a biennial international prize awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at global, regional or local levels. The 9th prize was awarded yesterday at a ceremony in Tokyo attended by the Emperor and Empress. Empress Michiko repeated her pale grey rimmed saucer hat with folded flower trim in the same charcoal grey as her suit. Interestingly, this is the same hat we saw the Empress wear last week– since she seldom repeats the same hat back to back, we can only guess she is very fond of this one. Of all her grey hats, this one is certainly my favourite as well.

Empress Michiko, April 27, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: April 17, 2015; January 14, 2015; April 11, 2014; December 6, 2013; December 2, 2013

Photos from Asahi

Takamado Princess Supports Arctic Science

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Royal Hats

Princess Hisako of Takamado travelled to Toyama City yesterday to officially open Arctic Science Summit Week. For this honour, Princess Hisako wore a cream straw hat we have not seen on her before. At its base, this hat is quite simple- it’s a classic bowler with rounded crown and short, folded brim. The trim, a wide fluted band anchored to the base of the crown, gives structural interest to the piece and makes the bowler shape disappear. I’m not sure this hat is entirely successful (it looks like it has two unrelated brims) but is is a creative shape and I’m all about encouraging millinery experimentation with the Imperial royals. This piece immediately reminded me of Queen Beatrix’s ‘spool’ hats– what do you think of it?

Princess Hisako, April 26, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Photo from Kitanippon Shimbun

Imperial Couple Conduct Memorial Visits

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Royal Hats

The Imperial royal couple visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun (late parents of Emperor Akihito) yesterday at the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in Tokyo. For this customary visit following a foreign tour, Empress Michiko repeated her stacked grey saucer hat with slim stripe around the trim and flat bow trim.

Designer: Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: November 20, 2013; August 15, 2011; August 15, 2009; June 22, 2009; August 15, 2008; August 15, 2007; August 15, 2006; August 15, 2005; August 15, 2004; March 17, 2004; August 15, 2003; August 15, 2002; August 15, 2001; August 15, 1995

Later in the day, the Emperor and Empress visited Takao Mikoromo Hall, a Buddhist shine and memorial for victims of industrial accidents during the post-war rapid economic growth of Japan. For this engagement, the Empress repeated her larger scale pale grey saucer hat trimmed with charcoal grey origami flower. This is always an attractive hat on her- the pale grey saucer breaks up the darker grey ensemble and the origami trim gives layered interest to the hat.

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: January 14, 2015; April 11, 2014; December 6, 2013; December 2, 2013

Photos from Getty as indicated

Imperial Couple Return Home

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Royal Hats

The Japanese Emperor and Empress touched down in Tokyo Thursday night after their two day trip to Palau. For their trip home, Empress Michiko wore a new navy saucer hat trimmed with a flat fan bow in navy and gold. The hat perfectly matched the Empress’ navy and gold suit and the gold accent on the bow of the hat echoed the sharp contrast of this fabric on her jacket. While the saucer shape follows all of Michiko’s other hats, the bold colour combination and graphic use of the gold accent is another major departure in her millinery style. I think this is a successful departure and, in a great twist of royal hat fortunes, I can’t wait to see what hat Empress Michiko wears next.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: this hat is new

Photos from Getty as indicated

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