If you didn’t know she was The Queen, you’d assume she was any other woman with how polished she looks. Her Majesty definitely used to take some interesting fashion risks during this time period, and I really enjoy these fun departures from the typical “queenly” hats you would think of today. To celebrate the UK publication of Sometimes You Have To Be A Little Bit Naughty, written by Tim Minchin and illustrated by me, I have made this fun trail for you to use in your library. Another very famous look, though perhaps more divisive, is the hat that Her Majesty wore for the Investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in 1969. I’m staying in Canada for my second pick: this pretty plaid hat worn by The Queen at the Montreal Summer Olympics in 1976.

The Queens Hat ideas | queen hat, london theme, activities 12 The Queens Hat ideas | queen hat, london theme, activities

Either way, this one hat is hugely emblematic, another of the most famous looks in the long reign of Elizabeth II. I love that her philosophy with regards to style isn’t to be a maven always on the latest trend before the rest of us catch up, it’s ‘I have to be seen to be believed. The cap shape allowed The Queen’s face to be seen fully from afar while the colour was just bright enough to make it stand out amongst the huge crowds that came to cheer her on her first major monarchical milestone.

The most memorable part of the hat are the bell shaped flowers that flow freely in a little collection at the back, adding another focal point to keep all eyes on the Jubilee Queen. From ladylike 1950s hats with netting to trendy turbans in the 1970s and even floral-covered shower cap-style hats, we’ve seen it all from The Queen. Looking back on the ’70s and what colours were trendy, this hat fits and nods towards the fact that she is the Queen of Great Britain while also being chic and modern.

Activities — Steve Antony

These days, she’s more likely to wear a brightly coloured brimmed style by her longtime dresser, Angela Kelly, who admitted in her book “The Other Side of the Coin” that she sets out different hats to fool members of staff. It is said to have been partly inspired by Tudor times and there’s certainly an element of the hoods worn by royal women of the time.

The pale pink hat worn by The Queen for the main part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977 is, for me, the ultimate royal hat. Although it doesn’t necessarily go with The Queen’s style asthetic today, I wish some of the younger members of the Royal Family would break out these fun vintage styles! It’s a popular pastime to bet on the colour of Her Majesty’s hat at Royal Ascot, and Kelly purposely displays various hats so they can’t get any insider tips to place bets.