to October 21, 1988 and a bright fuschsia pink jacquard silk toque hat worn during a state visit to Spain. The bright colour and unique shape of this one makes it a standout design and leaves me surprised that I’d not seen it before. It his one familiar to you?
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Please use the comments to also share any hats or royal hat news from today.
Photos from Getty as indicated
History: In the nineteenth century, European sailors wore straw hats with flat crowns and brims. As the design was phased out for military wear, it gained popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a men’s formal summer daytime hat (worn with a suit) particularly at sailing events. The name “boater” was adopted as the hat took off in popularity. 
Around the same time, a similar hat for late Victorian era women and children, known as the “sailor” was widely worn. With a larger brim size than its male ‘boater’ counterpart, sailor hats were trimmed with a dark hatband that extended to ribbon streamers trailing down the back. Women’s sailor hat designs often featured flowers around the base of the crown as well.
Difference Between a Boater and a Sailor: Both hats have a completely flat crown and brim. Traditionally, boater hats are made with stiff straw and are trimmed only with a hatband (in solid or striped grosgrain ribbon). The brim size of a traditional boater is modest- noticeably smaller than a the brim on a sailor hat. Historically, sailor hats have wider brims than a boater and were made of all kinds of weights of straw and felt. 
Difference between a Boater and a Matador: They are also the same basic shape- both hats have a flat crown and brim. A Matador crown is visibly taller and the hat often includes a chin strap. The name is confusing as most Spanish matadors actually wear a traditional Iberian “Montera” hat as part of their bullfighting costume, a hat that looks completely different!
Characteristics: A boater has a perfectly round crown and brim, both of which sit horizontally flat.
Royals Associated with this Hat Style: Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands has long been a boater wearer, as has Queen Elizabeth. Princess Beatrice of York has also embraced boaters in recent years.
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Queen Elizabeth on May 16, 2017; Princess Beatrice on June 16, 2016
Princess Beatrice, June 17, 2017; Princess Tsuguko, August 19, 2013
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Queen Elizabeth, March 24, 2016
Princess Beatrice at Ascot, June 18, 2019; The Duchess of York in July 2021
Boaters are seeing an upswing in popularity and I suspect we’ll see them appear on more royal heads- what do you think of this hat style?
Photos from Getty as indicated and Samir Hussein via Getty; The Asahi Shimbun; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty; Misan Harriman
to October 31, 1996 and a white picture hat worn on a state visit to Thailand. This hat seems unusual to me not only for its large scale and extra wide hatband but for the white beaded lace applique on the side – a much fussier trim than we usually see on Queen Elizabeth’s hats. Do any of you remember this particular design?
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Embed from Getty ImagesPlease use the comments to also share any hats or royal hat news from today.
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to October 11, 1982 and a very pretty blue hat worn in Australia. We often see hats with lattice woven brims but seldom do we see one where this pattern is on the crown- a unique touch on this design, one I don’t remember seeing before.
Please use the comments to also share any hats or royal hat news from today.
Photos from Getty as indicated
The Duchess of Gloucester has paired two hats with her dotted navy silk coat- one familiar and one that might be a surprise. I’m curious- which pairing do you prefer?
Look 1: With a navy straw stemmed beret at the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, June 6, 2013
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Look 2: With a navy and cream hat with sweeping wave brim trimmed with straw curls and navy feathers worn at Ascot, June 19, 2012 and at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding, April 29, 2011
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While you discuss the merits of these two hats (and wonder why the second hat has not been repeated more!), I’ll gently remind you all again to use the comments in this post to share any other royal hats that might be worn today.
Photo from Getty as indicated
Royal Hats 