Tag Archives: Princess Hanako

Japanese Royals Open Ski Competition

Posted on by

On Sunday, Prince Masahito and Princess Hanako of Hitachi attended the opening ceremony of the 64th Chubu Region Ski Championship of Japan held in Katsuyama City. Princess Hanako repeated a cream coloured bowler style hat with bow trim. It is a rather sedate hat that does not excite me very much. However, its pairing with her lovely royal blue dress worked better than the last two outfits it was paired with so I’ll be happy and leave it at that. What do you think of this hat?

Princess Hanako, January 26, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: November 24, 2013; November 25, 2013

Photo from the Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial New Year’s Poetry Reading 2014

Posted on by

The annual ceremony of New Year’s Poetry Reading (Utakai Hajime) was held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The Japanese royal ladies attended this event in court dress, just as they did the annual New Years lectures last week.

Imperial Family, January 15, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

Empress Michiko, at far left, did not wear a hat. To her right is: Princess Kiko in a grey embroidered calot; Princess Hanako in a marvelous green pillbox wrapped in green fur (or maribou?) studded with wispy grey feathers; Princess Akiko in a pale pink calot; Princess Hisako in a royal blue bumper hat; and Princess Noriko in an embellished terra-cotta orange brimless pork pie hat. It is marvelous to see the ladies in some colour and hats with a bit of personality, isn’t it?!

Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Family Host Lectures

Posted on by

The annual Ceremony of New Year’s Lectures was held today at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo (members of the Imperial family attended expert lectures in the fields of human, social and natural sciences). While Empress Michiko did not wear a hat, Princess Kiko wore a beautiful navy pillbox. I can not find record of Kiko wearing this hat previously so can only guess that it is new.

Princess Kiko, Jan 10, 2014 | The Royal Hats BlogCloseup photos of the other royal ladies do not appear to have been released. Princess Hanako was in forest green velvet with a coordinating hat that looks to be trimmed with a large green feather. I believe it is Princess Hisako in the vibrant turquoise hat and suit. The other hats appear to be de rigueur unadorned pillboxes in soft pastel colours.

Imperial Royal Family, Jan 10, 2014 | The Royal Hats Blog

The Imperial ladies were all in court dress (long gowns and hats) for this event. I suspect this is traditional dress- does anyone know exactly why?

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan

Wrapping up the Japanese Imperial Tour of India

Posted on by

Last week, the Japanese Imperial couple spent the week on tour in India. On Wednesday, December 4, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Kalakshetra Art Academy in Chennai. The Empress debuted a new hat, in her signature ‘saucer’ shape. This hat, one of Michiko’s larger saucers in white, was trimmed with silk orange blossoms and green leaves. I thought it was quite delicate and looked rather pretty on the Empress.

Empress Michiko, December 4, 2013 | The Royal Hats BlogThe Imperial couple returned to Japan on Friday. Empress Michiko repeated the dove grey saucer hat with charcoal grey origami flower she wore while on the Indian tour.

Empress Michiko, December 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats BlogDesigner: unconfirmed
Previously Worn: December 2, 2013

As is tradition, they were greeted at Haneda International Airport by other members of the Imperial family (from right: Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Fumihito, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Hanako, Princess Akiko and Princess Hisako). I’m not sure I have ever seen so many blue small brimmed royal hats at the same event…. I wonder if a memo was sent requesting all the Imperial ladies to wear a blue hat?!

Imperial Royal family, December 6, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photos from FNN and The Imperial Family of Japan

Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako at Lake Biwa

Posted on by

Last Tuesday, November 26th, Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako visited the Lake Biwa Museum in Oroshimo Town, Shiga prefecture. Princess Hanako wore a smart trilby style hat with a narrow band and bow around the crown in the same shade of slate blue as her suit. I thought the whole look was modern and so stylish. Didn’t she look marvelous?

Princess Hanako, Nov. 26, 2013 | The Royal Hats Blog

Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan