Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the the University of Surrey today to open the institution’s new School of Veterinary Medicine. The Queen was radiant in vibrant blue from head to toe, repeating her silk crepe hat with upturned brim and velvet flower trim.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

The last photo in the set below shows an angle of this hat we have not seen before and confirms that while the outside of the brim is wrapped in fabric, the inside is straw. I adore this aerial view because it shows the beautiful balance within this hat’s design as well as the immense workmanship used to create it.

This time of year can be tricky for royal hat wearers. Straw hats in light colours are too summery but it’s a tinge early (and warm!) to bring out one’s winter wardrobe. One of the ways Queen Elizabeth navigates this change of season is by commissioning multiple hats to coordinate with outfits that move well between seasons. Such is the case with this dress and coat in finely woven burgundy tweed. Rachel Trevor Morgan has made two hats for it- a wintery one in rich claret felt with a stacked crown and feather flower trim, and a summer cloche in textured straw trimmed with silk flowers. The influence of each hat is astonishing, as each transforms the ensemble and gives it a completely different seasonal feel. I’m curious, dear readers, which hat do you prefer with this coat?

Look 1: A burgundy felt hat with stacked brim and feather trim worn on a visit to a New Zealand tourism exhibition in London, November 25, 2008

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Longines Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) European Eventing Championships on Sunday at Blair Castle in Scotland. While shareable photos of the event are scarce, you can see below that she repeated a cream felt hat with rounded crown and upturned brim. The hat (seen well over at this Daily Mail post) is trimmed with grey feathered flowers nestled at the base of the crown. It’s a simple hat on its own but one that perfectly balances Her Majesty’s checked coat and dress.

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her historic day yesterday with a ‘business as usual’ engagement in Scotland that saw her ride the ‘Union of South Africa’ steam locomotive and unveil a commemorative plaque at Newtongrange Station. The practical approach to the day continued with her hat choice, an oft-repeated vibrant blue and turquoise stovepipe shaped piece with fringe trim. I have long admired the perfect balance between the bright colours in this two-toned ensemble; while this is not my favourite hat shape, the Queen wears it beautifully. Whatever hat Her Majesty wore yesterday was bound to go down in history and her choice of an Angela Kelly design, while predictable, gives a very deliberate and visible nod to her loyal dresser and designer.