On Sunday, Members of the Imperial Family gathered at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery to commemorate 50 days since the death of Prince Yoshihito of Katsura. Princess Akiko of Mikasa, who acted as chief mourner at her uncle’s funeral, wore a black veiled pillbox hat.
The ceremony was also attended by Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko of Mikasa (seated behind the crown prince) who also wore demure black hats.
Photos from The Asahi Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun, and The Asahi Shimbun via Getty
Empress Michiko hosted a Folk Music Concert at the Concert Hall inside the Imperial Palace yesterday to celebrate Emperor Akihito’s 80th birthday. This concert was attended by the Emperor’s immediate family and the Takamado Princesses. Crown Princess Masako wore an ivory Breton style hat with characteristic upturned brim nearly as high as the crown of the hat. This silk hat appeared to be without embellishment.
The three young Takamado Princesses, seated behind the Emperor and Empress, wore predictably demure hats. Princess Ayako wore a pale blue bumper hat with silk rose trim on the side and Princess Noriko wore a large white silk hard-shelled beret, also with silk rose side trim. Princess Tsuguko’s hat was a little less predictable in bronze straw with a wide cream and band around the crown.
Princess Hisako of Takamado (second row, middle below) wore a pale blue hat with square crown. The crown appeared to be made of the same pale blue printed fabric as Hisako’s suit jacket. On Hisako’s right was Princess Mako in a white hat with square crown, rolled brim and wide sash around the crown. Mako’s mother, Prinkess Kiko (front row, right) wore a turquoise blue hat with brim tightly rolled up against the crown of the hat. Her hat was a much needed pop of colour amid the Imperial sea of neutral hats.
My favourite hat in this bunch was the bronze straw hat worn by Princess Tsuguko. Which one here strikes your fancy?
Photos from Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, and Asahi Shimbun via Getty
Members of the Imperial Royal Family attended a concert performed by the Imperial Household Agency Music Department inside Imperial Palace East Garden yesterday to celebrate Emperor Akihito’s 80th birthday. While Empress Michiko did not wear a hat, I thought she looked wonderful in a coral pink dress.
Crown Princess Masako wore an icy pale blue silk covered pillbox with pork pie top to match her suit. Princes Mako (The Emperor and Empress’ granddaughter, seen behind the empress above) wore a similar brimless pork pie hat in oyster silk.
From left to right below: Princess Hanako in pale aqua square crowned hat with upturned brim; Crown Princess Masako; Crown Prince Naruhito; The Emperor and Empress; Princess Mako; Princess Hisako in a white modernized bowler style hat and her daughter, Princess Ayako in a small black chapeau.
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan
While we have been enjoying the frilly and fun hats of Ascot, the Japanese royal family have quietly gone through the rituals of saying goodbye to a family member. On June 8, 2014, Emperor Akihito’s first cousin, Prince Yoshihito of Katsura passed away at the age of 66 years old. In the following days, members of the Imperial family called to pay condolence visits. Some of these family members wore hats.
Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, June 8, 2014
Princess Hisako of Takamado, sister-in-law to Prince Katsura, June 8, 2014
Empress Michiko, June 9, 2014
On June 15, the Imperial couple paid another condolence visit to the Akasaka Estate Residence. Again, Empress Michiko wore a small, elegant black hat.
That same day, other members of the Imperial Royal Family attended a wake for Prince Katsura. As is expected, many wore small black hats.
Princess Kiko of Akishino and her daughter, Princess Mako of Akishino
Princess Hanako of Hitachi and Princess Hisako of Takamado
Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan; Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun via Getty
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hosted a Spring Imperial Garden Party at Akasaka Gyoen Imperial Garden yesterday. The Empress, shown leading the Imperial Family to the party below, wore a pale blue saucer hat trimmed with a large bow. When it comes to Michiko’s saucer hats, I think bigger is better and any departure away from her preferred grey ensembles is a winner for me.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Princess Kiko and Princess Mako of Akishino (The Emperor and Empress’ daughter-in-law and granddaughter) wore a pair of traditionally shaped hats. Princess Kiko’s hat in fresh green included several coordinating bands around the crown while Princess Mako’s white bowler was trimmed with a band of yellow ribbon studded with yellow flowers.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesThree of the Takamado Princesses, seen at the top left in the photo below, were also in attendance. Princess Hisako wore a jaunty beige-cream bowler with squared crown and large spray of flowers and feathers on the side. I thought this hat came to life with this embellishment and while the colour was a little bland, made it a fun hat. Princess Hisako’s eldest daughter, Princesses Tsuguko, wore a navy pillbox with pork pie indented crown. The photo above shows a rather twee bow on the back of this hat- an embellishment I think this hat would be better without. Tsuguko’s younger sister, Princess Noriko, wore a pale butter yellow hat with what looks to be a mass of ribbon blooms at the back (see the photo above for a better look). While the shape and colour of this hat were rather nondescript, the ribbon flowers made it come to life and Noriko gave it some additional personality by wearing it at a a slight angle.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrincess Akiko and Princess Yoko (nieces of Emperor Akihito), rounded up this Imperial group. Princess Yoko, seen in blue in the center of the photo above, wore a white hat trimmed with blue puffs (carnations? pompoms?) to match her suit. Princess Akiko, seen below at the right, wore a dove grey pillbox.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe hats yesterday were all rather predictable but together, made up a lovely bouquet of millinery in classic spring colours. Are there any hats that stood out to you as your favourite?
Photos from Getty as shown and Asahi Shimbun via Getty
Royal Hats 