15 Royal Hats That Are So Creatively Designed, We Admired Them for Hours

Throughout history, royal women wouldn’t be caught without a hat, as it’s considered improper to show their hair in public. But in the 1950s, this tradition changed, and hats are now reserved for more formal events. Today, these royal headpieces have been stealing the spotlight from their blue-blooded owners.

Bright Side curated some of the most memorable royal headwear in recent years. Read till the end because our bonus pick may not be from a royal family, but she’s a true queen in our book.

1. Princess Beatrice

One of the scene-stealers during the Royal Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge in 2011 was this sculptural blush-pink hat worn by Princess Beatrice. The fashion-forward headpiece was later auctioned on eBay, where it garnered over $108,000 for charity.

2. Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales charmed crowds during a Royal Tour in Christchurch, New Zealand not only with her infectious smile and magnetic charisma but also with her exquisite feathered hat made by John Boyd.

3. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

The understated lavender hat, worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during the Trooping the Colour Ceremony in 2012, perfectly complemented her floral embroidered dress. The annual event marks the official birthday of the queen.

4. Queen Elizabeth II

Speaking of the queen, back in 1973, her royal majesty graced the Royal Ascot horse race donning a silk mint headpiece with white ribbon accents. She completed her mint green number with a classic pearl necklace and lapel brooch.

5. Princess Eugenie

Since 1711, the Royal Ascot has been considered one of the most exclusive annual events in the British social calendar. In 2010, Princess Eugenie made quite the entrance at the Royal Ascot when she sported this bright pink structured bow hat to the racecourse.

6. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to the Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform by wearing the force’s colors in her quirky hat. She wore the attention-grabbing headpiece with Saturn-style rings while receiving the Freedom Scroll on behalf of RAF Halton.

7. Queen Letizia of Spain

The Queen of Spain was a vision in yellow as she appeared in Buckingham Palace in 2017 for a state visit by the king and queen of Spain. This marked the first state visit by the current monarchs of Spain, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, since the former Spanish king and queen visited in 1986.

8. Princess Victoria of Sweden

It’s hard to decide which piece was Crown Princess Victoria’s best accessory when she attended a royal wedding in Luxembourg; her husband, Prince Daniel, or the tan-colored beret with a mesh veil and monochromatic roses.

9. Sophie, Countess of Wessex

The Countess of Wessex has made quite a name for herself after wearing some of the most stylishly elegant royal hats. This white feathery number she wore to the seventieth anniversary of the National Health Service in 2018 is no exception.

10. Margrethe II, Queen of Denmark

She isn’t dubbed the world’s coolest queen for nothing. The 75-year-old Queen of Denmark is not afraid to be bold with her fashion choices. For instance, during a state visit in London, she rocked this dramatic black wide-brimmed feather hat that would stop any royal guard in his tracks.

11. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands

The always fashionable Queen of the Netherlands upped her royal hat game when she graced the Royal Ascot in 2019. The elaborate leaf accents with pearl studs were a sight to behold from every angle.

12. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway

At the wedding of Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano in 2004 in Madrid, Princess Märtha Louise didn’t shy away from bright colors as she matched her lemon yellow dress with a vibrant red headpiece. She completed her look with a ruby drop necklace.

13. Princess Beatrice

You can count on Princess Beatrice to rock some of the most polarizing yet unforgettable hats during royal events, just like this butterfly fascinator that she wore to the wedding of Queen Elizabeth’s eldest grandchild, Peter Phillips, and Autumn Kelly.

14. Anne, Princess Royal

When Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, showed up to the national Service of Thanksgiving in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s ninetieth birthday, she lit up the event with this chic black and white hat with a mauve accent.

15. Princess Miriam of Hungary

Whoever said plain white is boring clearly hasn’t seen Princess Miriam’s ethereal hat she wore to the wedding of Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg. The exaggerated yet soft, billowy bows of her hat highlighted the intricate pearl work in her dress.

BONUS: Oprah, the “Queen of Talk”

The “Queen of Talk” understood the assignment when she attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May of 2018. She donned this dusty pink feathered floral hat that is sophisticated yet head-turning.

If you were born out of royalty, would you go for simple, minimalist hats, or go to town with outrageous designs? What would be your signature hat style? Sound off your thoughts in the comments!