The Japanese Royal Family were in attendance yesterday at Akasaka Palace for the annual autumn garden party held in the palace’s imperial garden. One of two garden parties hosted by the Emperor and Empress each year (one in spring and one in autumn), this event is a highlight on the Imperial Royal calendar. Empress Michiko wore a dove grey suit for the occasion with a matching saucer hat. One of the Empress’ larger scale hats, the flat rimmed piece was simply trimmed with a dove grey and white silk bow.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
The garden party made international news thanks to the presence of Crown Princess Masako who has not attended this event in twelve years. She looked marvellous and relaxed in a Byzantium purple suit and matching hat. The simply shaped hat, with a flat brim and straight sided, domed crown, was given visual and textural interest thanks to a wide sash of draped fabric wrapped around the crown.The sash gave a sense of movement to this hat and, combined with its vibrant colour, made it a stand out piece.
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Princess Kiko topped her white silk suit with a coordinating hat. The squared crown of the hat, which was wrapped at the base in a wide pleated band, smoothly extended in the characteristic ‘bell’ shape of a cloche out to a rolled brim. A nice enough piece on its own, I found the proportion and scale too large for petite Princess Kiko. Her daughter, Princess Mako, topped her peach silk suit with a brown felt hat with narrow, rolled brim. Trimmed with a peach puff on the side, the simple hat provided an interesting contrast against her feminine, ruffled suit.
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new
Princess Nobuko of Mikasa wore a navy Breton hat. The outer side of the hat’s upturned brim was covered in the same navy appliquéd lace as her dress. Princess Akiko dressed up her black bowler hat with a wide sash of the same graphic black and white plaid fabric as her jacket while Princess Yoko took a more classic approach in a white hat with mushroom brim. Princess Yoko’s hat looked to be overlaid in a layer of crin (or organza?) which gave it a decidedly romantic feel. Princess Tsuguko topped her mint suit with a cream bumper hat trimmed in a green silk bloom at the side.
Previously Worn: I believe all of these hats are new
Finally, Princess Hanako repeated a sage green silk covered hat we have seen several times before. While not visible on the photo below, the brim of this piece is wrapped in green lace which is repeated on the peplum of her jacket. The unusual shape (a variation from the more common mushroom brim as seen on Princess Yoko above) and the interesting use of lace on this piece has always made it a winner for me.
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: August 5, 2015; June 26, 2015; May 19, 2015
These Imperial garden parties often bring out the most vibrant and interesting royal hats we see on the Imperial royals all year. The stand outs today for me were Crown Princess Masako and Princess Nobuko- which hats stood out to you?
Royal Hats 
