I would wager that HM is the only lady in the land whose hattery collection is deep enough to produce not one but two hats that look like they might have been designed by the good people at Wall's.  First the waffle cone, and now the swirly top!  Perhaps she's been influenced by the year's supply of ice cream vouchers that Mr. Mackie recently gave her?

The Queen paid a visit today to one of the touchier landmarks in British history -- the field where the Battle of Culloden took place in 1746.  Civil wars are always problematic, especially when you're related to the wagers on both sides of the line!  In fact, HM is the first British monarch to visit the battlefield.

But any awkward feelings aside, Liz arrived to tour the visitor's centre in style, wearing my very favorite of her hats!  She looks so regal in royal blue!

Avid readers Liz and Anne recommended this little chapeau to us -- they think it looks like strawberry ice cream, and I tend to agree!  Especially because she's got a waffle-cone print going on with the entire outfit.

HM always looks so cheery and youthful in pink, doesn't she?  Very sweet.

It's a repeat hat, but darn, doesn't HM look youthful and joyous around these soldiers?  Military men and women apparently have some really good jokes.

You know, normally I knock royal ladies wearing baseball caps, but really, when you're participating in a charity clay pigeon shoot, a tiara probably just won't cut it...

Not sure whether Marie Christine is just reacting negatively to something she sees on the court or having trouble balancing the hat on her head.  Either way, like the hat shape, but am bothered by the fact that she seems to have caught the all-beige disease.  Color, ladies!  Color!

I love a monarch in royal blue.  The ribbons around the brim are a little flouncy and silly, but I don't even mind that.  Cheers, Your Maj!

I thought it was only fair that we wrap up Royal Ascot '09 with the Lady in Charge herself.  I don't love this hat, but I don't really hate it, either.  Still a little on the frowsy-dowdy side, with the china blue and the flowers, but much better than Ladies' Day this year.  Eh, HM's 83.  I'll give her a pass on this one.  Besides, she and The Duke look so chipper!

And that's it for this year's Ascot races.  Even with the conspicuous absence of Zara Phillips, we still had quite the showing thanks to the York princesses.  Here's hoping for even more Mad Hattery next June!

First of all, major congrats to Lord and Lady Nicholas -- they're expecting their second child, a younger sibling for son Albert Windsor.

Second of all, oh my Lord, is Lady Nicholas aware that she's got a discolored cabbage on her head?

Paola, this is the sort of mad hattery I've long been expecting from you.  I understand if you need a few months off when the latest little Windsor is born, but I want to see you back and hatting about soon!

Gosh, I hate when I have to eat my words so soon...

Everything was really coming up roses on the chapeau-front for Haya until this clunker on the last day of the races.  The shape's not bad, but the color combination is terrible -- burnt orange and brown and white?  Sounds like a description of my mom's kitchen circa 1977.

Well, I suppose one miss out of the entire race series isn't that bad.  We'll see you next year, Princess Haya!