Masako sighting!  As per usual, we see Masako arriving for the Imperial New Year Gala; she hasn't been pictured inside the gala with the rest of the imperial family for years.  But we've got her here, Japanese Sunburst Tiara and all!

PHOTO CREDITS: yuko2ch.net

Two Masako appearances in a month's time?  It really must be the holiday season!

Masako is gathered here at the Imperial Palace with the family to celebrate Emperor Akihito's birthday.  I like this hat much better than the one she wore to her own birthday outing a few weeks ago -- much more proportionate.  What do the rest of you think of this one?

PHOTO CREDITS: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images

It's wonderful to see Crown Princess Masako out and about in Tokyo -- she's heading to the Imperial Palace for her birthday celebrations -- but, oy, this hat.  What a mess!  Unlike her mother-in-law's forehead fascinators, which look deliberately miniature, this one looks like it went through the dryer and shrunk!

PHOTO CREDITS: AP Photo/Kyodo News

HRH Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant and Countess Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz
December 4, 1999

Of the six crown princely weddings we'll be hatting about with in preparation for Crown Princess Victoria's June nuptials, Prince Philippe of Belgium's wedding is the first.  Married to Belgian aristocrat Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz in 1999, Philippe is currently their heir to the Belgian throne, now occupied by his father, King Albert II.

Since their marriage, Mathilde and Philippe have lived an active but fairly low-key royal life.  In between major royal events and charity work, they have found time to have four children: Princess Elisabeth (future Queen of the Belgians), Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléanore.  But let's do a little time-traveling jaunt back eleven years, and -- dare I say it -- party like it's 1999!

Wedding Hatters

The lovely Crown Princess Masako was also out and about today at the New Year Gala, though she did not appear at the public portion of the gala with the rest of the royal family.  Here she is arriving with her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, and their daughter, Princess Aiko.  She's wearing the Japanese Sunburst Tiara, one that isn't trotted out much by the Japanese royal ladies.

Glad to see Masako, even if it is only a peek through a car window!

Here's a brand-new crown princess for us here at the blog: Crown Princess Masako of Japan!

Masako isn't often seen out and about these days, as she suffers from a stress-related illness that requires her to cut back on her official duties and appearances.  But she made a special appearance today, wearing quite a chic and lovely black hat.  Kudos on the choice of chapeau from me!

What's the occasion, you ask?  It just happens to be her birthday.  Happy 46th, Masako, and welcome to Mad Hattery!

Crown Princess Masako's hat at Philippe and Mathilde's wedding was one of my favorites on the day; the saturated royal blue is elegant, regal, and yet fun at the same time.  In a day full of drab neutrals, she really stood out!

Sadly, this was one of the last major royal events that Masako attended.  Soon after, her daughter Aiko was born, and not long after that, she was diagnosed with a nervous disorder.  She has largely kept herself out of the public eye since, only attending a few events in Japan.  I'm always hoping that Masako will make a comeback -- we always need more excellent hattery moments like this one!