The Royal Family May Be Fracturing, But They Will Never Abandon Their Jaunty Hats

The British Royal Family may be crumbling before our very eyes. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has found herself at the center of a web of conspiracy theories about her wellness, whereabouts, and Photoshop capabilities; King Charles was recently diagnosed with cancer; and The Crown stirred up more intrigue than ever about the living royals’ lives. But if there’s one thing about the royals that never changes—even in the face of mismanaged PR and health crises—it’s their love of a zany hat. 

The royals have recently deployed several of their lower-ranking members to keep business as usual while they wait for things to blow over. With the Cheltenham Festival underway in Gloucestershire, several members of the family turned out for the horse race in some spectacular, and, in some cases, gravity-defying headwear. 

Both Princess Anne and Princess Eugenie opted for a fedora for the occasion. Anne’s was an asymmetrical, layered hat with a 3D appliqué on the side. Eugenie, on the other hand, opted for a more classic silhouette that matched her white coat. She accessorized her fedora with a silver hatpin. Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, donned a more traditional British fascinator. The cranberry hued base sat atop her head, affixed with a very large burgundy bow. One can only imagine the mechanics that kept it in place. 

The day prior also proved a hat-worthy occasion, and the Royals opted for more avant-garde choices. For the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, Camilla wore a round, turquoise blue hat, complete with an abstract, oragami-esque peacock feather hatpin. Anne also chose a blue hue, although more muted than her sister-in-law’s. Her wide brimmed hat featured turquoise details, as well as red feathers that matched her coat. 

If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s that in the face of uncertainty, rumors, and mounting public pressure, the royal family seems like they’ll continue to do what they do best: staying quiet and wearing wild hats.