Forgive me in advance if I make no sense this morning – it is morning, isn’t it? – but I was up at 2 a.m. to watch the Royal Wedding. No one made me, I wanted to. I became a bit of an anglophile two decades ago when I lived in the UK during my Air Force husband’s tour of duty there. One of our sons was born just outside Oxford. I’ve a bunch of fruity dinner plates from Stoke-on-Trent I use every chance I get. And I keep a British pound in my dress-up purse just because it never left that purse when we moved away when the three-year-tour was up.
I loved the wedding. I did. I loved the trees in the Abbey, Kate’s dress, the heavenly tones of the choir, the Archbishop’s groomed and tamed eyebrows, the lovely reading of Romans 12, the stirring message by the Bishop Richard Chartres, and of course, the hats.
Oh, the hats.
As I lounged in my pjs in the dark, sipping tea and eating an English muffin, I wondered what was it about those audacious hats that so intrigued me. I figured it out sometime around 3:30 a.m. They are characters in a story. They want to tell a story. From the tops of their prim and proper British heads, they are shouting a story. Everything else about this day’s activities in London were all pompy and circumstancy – even the public’s dignified and polite march down the mall to Buckingham Palace – but the hats trumpeted their audacious audacity. Beautiful incongruence. I do believe I shall write a children’s book – dibs, everyone – about British wedding hats that talk. I mean, really, what do you think Princess Beatrice’s hat would say if given lips to speak?? I shall get to work straightaway.
In the meantime, I so would like your opinion on your favorite hat from this gallery of hopefuls. Tell me, which is favorite. And why?
And hey, while you’re at it, suggest a name for it. . .
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/sns-royal-wedding-hats-pictures,0,2465632.photogallery
There’s a good lass and lad. . .
Don't know that I could name the hats…but I think that Carole Middleton's and Queen Elizabeth's are the most hat-like in my mind, so I like them them best.
I think Princess Beatrice's hat wouldn't say anything – it's too busy receiving signals from outer space.
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Oh, dearest Carolyne. You made me laugh out loud. Thanks for chiming in, too, Clair. I agree the Queen had a lovely confection on her head. Looked like it was made of buttercream frosting.
Actually, Susan, I loved Princess Anne's hat. I love purple, and I love flowers, and it had both.
Carolyne… you're too funny! Great post, Susan!
Rachel
Can't wait to read your children's book. Great post, Susan.
I realize they were so “understated” but, I really liked the hats of 1) Zara Phillips, 2) Sophie Winkleman, and 3) Victoria Beckham.
Were hats a special touch for this occassion, or an enduring English custom?
Hi Susan. I missed the wedding b/c I flew to Atlanta to speak on that Saturday morning at an event where the attire was “Garden Party with Hats.” 🙂
Then I came home on Sunday and wore my dress and hat to church. I received a lot of attention … but no signals from outer space.
I think I'm becoming partial to hats. Maybe I'll wear one at She Speaks this year.
Oh, Rachel! If you will, I will!
If we're talking hats, let's not leave out the men. The princes looked especially dapper walking into the church in their uniforms. What is it about men in uniform?? And…ya gotta have the hat.
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