Queen Opens Commonwealth Summit

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit officially began today in Malta. Queen Elizabeth, who holds the organization near and dear to her heart, gave an address during the opening ceremony. As many expected, she wore a new outfit and hat for the occasion.

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Queen Elizabeth, November 27, 2015 in Angela Kelly | Royal Hats

With a squared crown covered in the same jacquard fabric as the Queen’s coat and an upfolded brim in coordinating pale blue straw, the hat is simply trimmed with a cerise band around the base of the crown and two cerise silk carnations. These mixes of texture and contrast of colour make for an interesting hat- I adore the lightness provided by the straw brim. I’m not so sure about the blue fabric although the beautiful collar on this coat brings it perfectly together with Queen Elizabeth’s pink dress and the hat.

 

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Interestingly, the hat is the same shape as the piece débuted yesterday. Perhaps even more interesting is the unexpected pale blue and cerise colour scheme – a scheme that enabled Her Majesty to stand out in a group portrait amidst many dark suits all while not showing favouritism to any one nation (did anyone else notice that these two colours do not relate to flags of Commonwealth countries?!).

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Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: this hat is new
I think this piece works better than the hat, in the very same shape, the Queen wore yesterday for her arrival. What do you think?
Photos from Getty as indicated; Jin Yu/Xinhua Press/Corbis 

British Royals Arrive For Commonwealth Meeting

Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Malta today for the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit. The Queen touched down wearing her second new hat this week, this one made in the same pale blue bouclé as her coat.

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The hat featured a squared crown with domed top and upfolded brim. Two navy silk roses at the side were its only trimming, providing contrast against the textured fabric.

Queen Elizabeth, November 26, 2015 in Angela Kelly | Royal Hats

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Designer: Angela Kelly
Previously Worn: this hat is new
Queen Elizabeth has numerous other hats in this shape, a shape that is a good proportion for her. There is something, however, about this piece that does not work for me. Perhaps it’s those navy flowers, which seem much better suited to a summer hat in natural straw? Maybe it is the fabric choice which seems too much of a good thing? I’m curious, dearest readers- do you share similar reservations about this hat?
Photos from Getty as indicated and Ian Pace/Demotix/Corbis

Queen Opens General Synod Meeting

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were at Church House this morning to officially inaugurate the tenth General Synod of the Church of England. The Queen marked the occasion with a new hat in heathered charcoal grey straw.

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With a tall, fluted crown with domed top, the hat was simply trimmed with a charcoal and cream double bow and a stripe of cream piping around the edge of the cartwheel brim.

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I really like the contrasting colour scheme of this piece and the restrained use of trim is very effective. I’m less keen on the shape of the hat’s crown which feels slightly too tall and sets its overall proportion off.

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Designer: Rachel Trevor Morgan. Coat by Stewart Parvin
Previously Worn: This hat is new
It has been a while since we saw Her Majesty début a new hat- what are your thoughts on this one?
Photos from Getty as indicated

Queen Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh Visit Birmingham

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were in Birmingham today where they braved drizzly weather to open a dental hospital and the newly renovated train station, take part in a dedication for a war memorial and visit a tram extension. The Queen stood out against grey skies in a repeated bright pink straw hat with teardrop shaped crown, curved brim and feather trim.

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The Queen’s choice of this hat surprised me- we seldom see her in this kind of light, bright, summery straw past October. While the shape of this hat’s crown is still not one of my favourites, its saturated colour is lovely on Her Majesty and her ensemble cast a very bright note on a rather dull day.

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Photos from Getty as indicated

Queen Elizabeth Visits Home Office

Queen Elizabeth paid a visit to the Home Office this morning where she helped greet the Indian Prime Minister who is in Britain for an informal trade visit. A vision in her trademark blue, the Queen repeated her sky blue felt hat trimmed with chrysanthemum feather flowers. While not my favourite of Her Majesty’s hats, she showed her preference for it today with another outing, the sixth since its début at Prince George’s christening two years ago.

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Designer: Angela Kelly, made by Stella McLaren. Coat designed by Stewart Parvin  
Previously Worn: June 11, 2015April 5, 2015October 24, 2014April 8, 2014; October 23, 2013
Photos from Getty as indicated