Tag Archives: Princess Kiko

Japanese Royals Visit Africa

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Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko of Akishino wrapped up a twelve day tour to Zambia and Tanzania yesterday. For their July 3 meeting with Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete , Princess Kiko wore a white hat with squared crown and gently up rolled brim. It looks like the crown was trimmed in a wide ribbon with some sort of flower on one side. It’s a larger scale hat than we usually see on Kiko; while it is still a little bland for my taste, it’s good to see some variation on Japanese royal hats.

Princess Kiko, July 3, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photo from The Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Family Bid Farewell to Prince Katsura

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A Memoriam

Members of the Imperial Royal family attended the funeral of Prince Yoshihito of Katsura on June 17. Prince Katsura, who was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, passed away on June 8, 2014 at the age of 66 years old. In attendance were Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako (below, right) and Princess Kiko, Prince Fumihito, and their daughter Princess Mako (below, left).

Imperial Royal Family, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, niece of Prince Katsura, carried out the role of chief mourner and accompanied her grieving grandparents. Tragically, Prince Takihito and Princess Yuriko (below, right) have now lost all three of their sons.

Princess Akiko of Takamado, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Yuriko of Mikasa and Princess Akiko of Takamado, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

The Akishino Princesses (below, left) and Crown Princess Masako joined the other Imperial ladies in demure bowler, pillbox or or bumper hats with a full veil.

 Princess Mako and Princess Kiko of Akishino, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats  Crown Princess Masako, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan and Kazuhiro Nogi via Getty

Imperial Family Pay Condolence Visits

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 A Memoriam

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 Princess Masako, June 8, 2014 | Royal Hats

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, June 8, 2014

Princess Hisako, June 8, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Hisako of Takamado, sister-in-law to Prince Katsura, June 8, 2014

Empress Michiko, June 9, 2014 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, June 9, 2014 | Royal Hats 

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.

Empress Michiko, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats   Empress Michiko, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

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, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats  Princess Mako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Kiko of Akishino and her daughter, Princess Mako of Akishino

Princess Hanako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Hisako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

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

Imperial Royals Celebrate Aristocratic Club

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Last Tuesday, June 3, 2014, members of the Imperial Royal family attended the 140th anniversary of Kasumi Kaikan, a aristocratic club in Japan.  Empress Michiko looked to be wearing a large saucer hat with swirled ribbon in the same pale silver as her beautiful suit. While I would love to see a more detailed picture of this hat, it appears to be a winner. Princess Kiko repeated her white pillbox hat (I think this hat has a bow at the back, seen here during its last outing). The slightly rounded edges on this hat work well for Kiko’s angular features, although the all white ensemble is rather boring. Perhaps this club has a secret dress code?

Empress Michiko, June 3, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Kiko, June 3, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. I suspect Empress Michiko’s hat was designed by Akio Hirata
Previously Worn (Empress Michiko): I believe this hat is new
Previously Worn (Princess Kiko): August 18, 2013

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Family Attends Spring Garden Party

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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 Images

Three 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 Images

Princess 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 Images

The 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?

Imperial Royal Family, April 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from Getty as shown and Asahi Shimbun via Getty