Tag Archives: Princess Aiko

Imperial Catch-Up

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Numerous hats have appeared on Imperial royal heads over the past month. Let’s catch up!

May 15: Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the Aoi Festival at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto.

June 7: Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the 2024 Marine Rescue Japan Commendation Ceremony at Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Which hats here stood out most for you?

Spring Imperial Garden Party

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On Tuesday, the Imperial royal family attended the spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo.

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The Empress repeated a white hat with slightly wider brim that we often see her wear, simply trimmed with a wide hatband in the same pale blue silk as her suit.

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Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: Jun 19, 2023

Princess Aiko wore a pale pink hat with upturned Breton style brim, trimmed with a wide ruched silk hatband in a slightly lighter shade knotted at the back.

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Crown Princess Kiko topped a pale yellow jacquard silk suit with a brimmed hat covered in the same fabric. The design features a flat crown and upturned, kettle brim with a wide hatband and spray of soft feathers on one side.

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat isnew

Princess Kako wore a white silk covered bumper hat trimmed with peach silk ranunculus blooms on one side.

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat isnew

Princess Hanako of Hitachi topped a pale acqua suit (with beautiful ruched diamond cutouts!) with a white brimmed hat with aqua brim binding and hatband, trimmed with a spray of spring flowers on the side.

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Princess Nobuko topped a floral pink dress with a beige hat with wide, domed crown and waved brim wrapped in pink silk flowers.

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Princess Akiko wore a chic white hat with trilby-style upturned brim at the back, trimmed with a pale aqua hatband and side bow to match her suit.

 

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: Sep 29, 2022

Princess Yoko topped her lilac-grey suit with a matching hat with short, upturned brim with ruffled edge.

  

Milliner: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Princess Hisako wore a royal blue silk saucer hat with elevated back, trimmed in slim bow tails and a white feather. Princess Tsuguko topped her silver shantung silk coat with a matching grey hat. I love how the pink lining on the collar of her coat is repeated in the hat’s trim, layered pink and grey hatbands, a grey bow and side spray of pink feathers. The brim’s upturn around the back also adds a lovely lift to the design.

Thoughts about this parade of Imperial royal hats?

Images from The Asahi Shimbun; Getty and social media as indicated. Special thanks to Prisma!

Last Week’s Extras

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During the last week of March, Princess Aiko made two shrine visits which included three hats.

Queen Mary repeated a Bonpoint navy felt fedora on Wednesday for the Home Guard anniversary parade.

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Flora Ogilvy wore a Lock & Co headpiece to a friend’s wedding in Oxfordshire yesterday

Today, Princess Akiko repeated a peach cloche at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.

Also today, Queen Mary wore a grey stitched brim fedora to open of a new part of Dyrehaven (Deer Park) in Naerum.
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Teresa Urquijo Moreno married José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the Mayor of Madrid, yesterday. She is the daughter of Beatriz Moreno y de Borbón and Lucas Urquijo y Fernandez-Araoz, granddaughter of Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and a great-granddaughter of Infante Alfonso, Duke of Calabria and Infanta Alicia, Duchess of Calabria (aunt of King Juan Carlos). The bride wore a reworked version of the same dress previously worn by her mother and grandmother. 

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Beatriz Moreno y de Borbón wore an orchid purple sinamay embellished saucer; Princess Teresa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies wore a white crin bow headpiece with quills.
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Princess Anne of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Dowager Duchess of Calabria wore a blue fascinator; her daughter-in-law Sofía Landaluce y Melgarejo (wife of Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Grandee of Spain) wore an aqua sinamay saucer with feather trim
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Princess Carla of Bulgaria wore a butterfly headpiece
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And finally, immense thanks for the many kind words offered during this week’s return to blogging. I have missed this space and our conversation very much and I thank you all for your grace and patience during my extended break.

Images from Getty and social media as indicated 

 

Emperor Naruhito Celebrates Birthday

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Members of the Imperial royal family greeted visitors from the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo yesterday on the emperor’s 63rd birthday.

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Empress Masako arrived in a vibrant blue velvet pillbox.

Princess Aiko wore a blush silk covered hat with short, upturned Breton brim trimmed with a triple pleated, draped hatband and bow at the back. It’s a piece that at closer view, I suspect, would show exquisite balance and beauty.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Crown Princess Akiko repeated a bumper hat covered in pale citrusy green patterned silk jacquard.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Dec 23, 2015

Princess Kako repeated a draped turquoise silk bandeau headpiece trimmed with a folded side bow appliqued in the same beaded lace as her gown.

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Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Jan 13, 2023; Jan 18, 2022

It’s lovely to see this tradition return for the first time during Emperor Naruhito’s reign.

Images from Getty as indicated 

This Week’s Extras

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King Charles and Queen Camilla attended Sunday service today at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate. Camilla repeated a taupe felt beret with double pheasant feather trim.
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Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko visited the Emeritus couple at their Sento Imperial residence  for New Year greetings. Empress Masako repeated a bumper hat covered in blush floral jacquard silk  and Princes Aiko wore an ivory silk brimless hat with braid circling the crown and a petite floral spray on the side.

The following new millinery designs caught my eye recently (see the comments for more):


The Imperial royal women in gowns (but no tiaras this year) for New Year Receptions at the Imperial Palace on January 1.

Emperor Naruhito delivered a traditional New Year’s greeting  on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, joined by the Imperial royal family.
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Happy New Year to you all!
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Images from social media as indicated