So, Lady Gabriella Windsor (daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent) is working as a journalist these days, and this picture was apparently snapped while she was working on a story in Argentina. She is, according to the photo caption, "[watching] a handicraft during her trip," though it sort of looks like she's shopping at an open-air market to me.

But, whatever. Down to business: that hat. I must confess that I am staunchly against hair being tucked up inside of berets, and this is the reason why. Ella looks like she's trying to support the locals - perhaps she bought that hat at the market - but imagine how much better that support would look if her pretty long hair was falling down over her shoulders. So, downgrade to the hat in this instance, but with an asterisk for possibility with a different hairstyle...

Sigh ... another hat of this shape. Commenter annie posted that she thought this shape was reminiscent of HM Queen Mary, and I agree.

But, um, I actually kind of started to like this one after looking at about a billion pictures from the event. At least this one sparkles. And it's rather nordic, which makes sense in the context, because she's at a hockey rink:

Note to Sarah Palin: that's how it's done, my dear!

And that's it: farewell to Slovenia and Slovakia. It's been a mad hattering time!

Tiara Alert!

Two tiaras in one state visit - gotta love HM! And it's my absolute favorite, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, last pulled out of the vaults for the Order of St. George and St. Michael Service back in July.

I've said it once, and I know I'll say it again: this thing rocks (stone/gem pun absolutely intended).

Aw, how cute is the Queen? Here she's visiting the Devlin Castle Hotel in Bratislava (and, apparently, smiling because there are little kids playing near her).

I think I would like this hat sans bow. It's just so Duchess of York, isn't it? Even Fergie gave these things up long ago (because God knows, had she not, she'd be all over this blog!).

Aaaaand we roll along on the state visit, this time showing off the hat that HM chose for her arrival in Bratislava, Slovakia.

I LOVE this hat. I don't know if it's the bright, bold color (LOVE those on the Queen), the classic shape, or the whimsical-yet-controlled decoration on the brim. Whatever it is, it's gorgeous. And rather festive, too - maybe she should keep this one in mind for the Sandringham walkabout with the fam this Christmas?

A Slovenian Farewell from HM The Queen:

"Well, Slovenia, it's been real ... time to head for the hills of Slovakia.

And thank you so much for the compliments on the hat. I thought the baby pink was especially flattering, and that the shape was jaunty and elegantly simple. I'm so glad you agree!

By the way, Phil, did you make sure they loaded the new horse onto the plane? We wouldn't want to head out without the Lippy..."

Oh, it must be good to be Queen. You head over to kick it for a few days with the Slovenians, and they give you your own Lipizzaner stallion!

And this is the ensemble she chose for the reception of said horse. Do you think she wore such a gigantic hat so that she could covertly slip a riding helmet underneath and take the Lipizzaner out for a spin after the photo op?

Tiara Alert!

State banquets are just the best, aren't they? I love that the royal ladies have a chance to really show off the bling. This particular bit of shiny is the Burmese Ruby Tiara, commissioned by HM in 1973 and made by Garrard's, the royal jeweler. It gets its name because the rubies were a wedding present to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh from the Burmese people.

It's not one of my favorites, as far as tiaras go -- I'm more a fan of the diamonds-only variety than the colored stone tiaras. But few things say "I'm the Queen of England, damn it!" more effectively than a tiara made of precious stones that are probably worth more than I am...

I've been trying to come up with something clever to say about this little chapeau, but I'm failing. Long story short: I don't like it. This shape's not flattering on HM. But, hey, love the color!

The Daily Mail's Sophie Borland has an article today all about the fascinator, that most confusing and intriguing of all the many forms of mad hattery. Borland claims that a craze for the hats-slash-headbands-slash-explosions has been set off by HM The Queen, who wore the above number to her favorite grandson's wedding in May.

One slight quibble with the article, however; Borland claims that The Duchess of Cornwall wore a white fascinator to her wedding, when we'll all remember it was made of spectacular gold feathers. Exhibit A:

All those fascinated by the aptly-named fascinator will get a kick out of the article. But, woe, the source quoted from Debenham's maintains that the not-quite-a-hat has become acceptable for women of a certain age because of the Queen's example. I don't know - while they are pretty fun on Bea and Eugenie, if I see another Camilla-Trooping-the-Colour extravaganza, I'll be alternately disgusted (because, awful) and pleased (because, blog material!). Fascinators make me so torn.