Conclusion of Imperial Visit to Philippines

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Royal Hats

After a successful 3-day visit to the Philippines, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko returned home to Japan on Saturday. For their departure, the Empress repeated a grey saucer hat with bow trim. While a nice enough hat, it pales in comparison to the other pieces we saw her wear during the Philippine visit.

Embed from Getty Images

Empress Michiko, January 31, 2016| Royal Hats

Designer: Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: June 10, 2015; May 16, 2015

The royal couple were met by family members at Tokyo airport. Princess Kiko wore a simple black felt hat with upturned brim while Princess Mako repeated a chocolate bowler hat. Princess Kako topped her military-style beige coat in a dark felt hat with flat brim, straight-sided crown and simple ribbon trim while Princess Nobuko wore a stylish navy felt cloche variation with asymmetrical upturned brim and cream sash around the base of the crown. Crown Princess Masako wore a more traditionally shaped cloche in the same winter white as her coat, trimmed with a wide ribbon and side bow.

Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Kako and Princess Nobuko, January 30, 2016 | Royal Hats Crown Princess Masako, January 30, 2016 | Royal Hats

Princess Yoko repeated a black bowler with jade green bow trim (see a clearer view here during a previous outing) while Princess Hisako topped her rust coat with a flat crowned black felt hat that looks to have feather trim on the side. I strongly suspect that Princess Tsuguko repeated the chic winter white wool fedora that wowed many of us at the Emperor and Empress’ departure last week (see it here).

Imperial Royal Family, January 30, 2016 | Royal Hats

That wraps up a successful Philippine visit for the Imperial couple. My favourite hat worn on this tour was the white saucer with pale blue flowers that Empress Michiko wore on the second day. Which hat on this foreign visit stood out most to you?

Photos from Getty as indicated; EPA/Francis R. Malasig; Asahi; NNN News and ANN News

New Royal Hats Of 2015: Japan Part 1

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Royal Hats

2015 best hat small

As per your request, here is a review of some of the new hats we saw this year worn by members of the Imperial Royal Family. The Japanese royals are one of the most prolific hat wearing royal houses- there are too many hats here for a poll so I have numbered each one and invite you to name which hats are your favourites in the comments. Click on each photo to jump back to the original post with additional information, views and detail on each hat.

While I don’t think any of these hats are in the running for best overall new royal hat of the year, there are some beautiful millinery details not to be missed (the lace trim and lattice outer brim of #5 is exquisite while the braided trim on #27 is so smart). The wonderfully saturated colour makes #12 and #18 stand out as my favourites- Which hats or details on hats here stand out most to you?

Empress Michiko

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Empress Michiko, September 27, 2015 | Royal Hats

11. 12. 13. 14.

Crown Princess Masako

15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Princess Kiko of Akishino

20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

25. 26. 27. Princess Kiko, November 24, 2015 |Royal Hats 28.

Princess Mako of Akishino

29. 30. 31.

Princess Kako of Akishino

32. 33. 34.

35. 36. 37.

Imperial Royals Celebrate Emperor’s Birthday

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Royal Hats

Members of Imperial Family gathered at the Imperial Palace today to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. For their annual appearance on the balcony, the princesses of the family all sported brimless hats.

Imperial Royal Family, December 23, 2015 | Royal Hats

Crown Princess Masako wowed in a cranberry velvet beaded cocktail hat that she has not worn since 1999! After hoping she would bring it out again, I am thrilled to see the vibrant 1940s styled piece again. It’s a beautiful colour on her and it’s great fun to see an Imperial royal hat with a bit of sparkle.

Crown Princess Masako, December 23, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Kiko wore a citrus green silk covered hat with bumper brim and rounded crown. Unlike the similarly hued hat she wore earlier this year this one is entirely covered in the same patterned silk jacquard as her gown.

Princess Masako, and others celebrating Emperor Akihitos 82nd birthday at the Imperial Palace

Princess Mako and Princess Kako followed their mother’s lead in a pair of pale gold and pink bumper hats. Both hats are covered in the same patterned silk as the princess’ gowns and decorated with demure bow and floral trims. While conservative in style, the colour makes for a lovely contrast with the young princess’ dark hair.

Princess Mako and Princess Kako, December 23, 2015 | Royal Hats

It is always lovely to see the Imperial family together. I was thrilled to see Crown Princess Masako in a vibrant hat- which one stood out as your favourite?

Photos from Asahi and Aflo/Splash News via Corbis

Imperial Family Attend Birthday Concert

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Royal Hats

Last Friday, members of the Imperial Royal family gathered at the Peace Flower Music Hall inside Imperial Palace to attend a concert in celebration of the Empress’ birthday. As might be expected, the Imperial Princesses wore a bevy of petite hats in light colours.

Imperial Royal Family, June 26, 2015 | Royal Hats

Crown Princess Masako topped her pale beige suit with hat in the same hue (presumably, made of the same fabric!) The crown of the hat, with straight sides and a domed top, was surrounded in a tightly upfolded brim. The only embellishment on the piece was a wide stripe of silk ribbon which edged the brim and gave the piece subtle contrast.

Crown Princess Masako, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats

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

Princess Kiko wore a white silk calot hat trimmed in a wide pleated cuff and flat bow at the back. Her youngest daughter, Princess Kako, wore a pale blue bowler style hat trimmed with a white band and back bow around the base of the crown. Both hats are overly sweet for my liking but are very much in keeping with these Princesses’ millinery styles.

Princess Kiko, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Kako, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Kako and Princess Kiko, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designers: unknown
Previously Worn: I suspect both hats were new

Princess Hisako (below right, behind Princess Kako) wore a white bowler-style hat with upturned brim around the back. The jaunty brim, similar to that on a Trilby, downplays the dowdy shape of the bowler crown and gives the hat some personality. Hisako’s daughter, Princess Tsuguko, wore a simple apricot coloured hat with embroidered band around the base of the crown. The colour of the hat is quite pretty with her colouring.

Princess Tsuguko and Princess Hisako, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats Designers: unknown
Previously Worn: Princess Hisako wore this hat July 3, 2014. I believe Princess Tsuguko’s hat is new

We can usually count on Princess Hanako and Princess Nobuko to bring some variety to the Imperial royal hats and they did not disappoint. Both wore hats with lace overlays – Princess Nobuko’s lilac-grey toque style hat was covered in the same grey lace as was used on her dress while Princess Hanako’s pale sage green hat featured a flared brim wrapped in monochrome lace. The use of lace on the brim of Hanako’s hat gave it some much needed textural contrast from the rest of her ensemble and the unusual shape of her hat was a welcome surprise.

Princess Nobuko, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats Princess Hanako, June 26, 2016 | Royal Hats

Designers: unknown
Previously Worn: Princess Hanako first wore this hat May 19, 2015. I believe Princess Nobuko’s hat is new.

What did you think of this group of Imperial royal hats?

Photos from FNN News and Asahi

This Week’s Extras

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Royal Hats

Gre Royal Hats

Prince Harry honoured British service personnel killed on combat operations in Afghanistan at the Bastion Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire (Forces TV)

Grand Duke Jean enjoyed the last stage of the Tour de Luxembourg last weekend (Luxarazzi)

Princess Hisako wore a new purple hat for her remarks at the Cancer Summit in Yokohama and a beautiful cream beret-pillbox hybrid for her departure en route to Sweden(Imperial Family of Japan)

The Duchess of Gloucester opened the day centre at the St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich (Royal Central)

Princess Kako repeated white bumper hat with bow trim for a visit last weekend to Akama Jinja Shrine (Getty)

Sheikha Mozah in a very chic Panama hat on her visit to Garni and Geghard in Armenia (News AM)

Royal Hats

King Felipe of Spain has officially stripped his sister Infanta Cristina of her title of Duchess of Palma de Majorca in light of the corruption scandal involving her and her husband. (Expatica) That must make family dinners rather awkward….

The Imperial Court announced today that Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako will visit the Kingdom of Tonga July 2-6 to attend the Coronation of HM King Tupou VI. This is a big step for the Princess, who has slowly taken on more royal engagements over the past two years.

Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist’s wedding festivities kicked off today with a formal private pre-wedding dinner (Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor). An interview with the royal couple also aired this evening on SVT. Tune in tomorrow for full coverage of their wedding!