Princess Kate walks a fine line When it comes to headwear at royal public functions, Princess Kate has kept a strict tradition alive. This tradition has continued since the 1850s. This centuries-old etiquette forbids plebe, patrician, and aristocratic women alike from showing their hair in public. In turn, hats became an essential component of royal dress, emphasizing the importance of hats to society.
Royal women, such as Princess Kate, adhere to this archaic tradition. They inevitably make it so in formal State occasions such as Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey or at Remembrance Sunday. Famed for playing host to momentous royal weddings and coronations, Westminster Abbey provides the perfect backdrop for these well-rehearsed appearances. Hats have been an important part of our culture since as far back as ancient Mesopotamia. Scarlet headgear Spartans, Persians, and Romans donned special scarlet headwear during combat, emphasizing the role headwear has played throughout military history.
Princess Kate’s late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, routinely abided by this custom, wearing coordinated hats and coats while appearing in public. For her royal duties, Princess Kate shines in a spectacular cerulean coat dress by Catherine Walker. She finishes off her ensemble with a stylish headpiece made by designer Gino Foster.
At formal events such as Ascot, you can see distinct signals that fascinators are frowned upon. Former personal butler to Prince Charles at Highgrove Grant Harrold elaborated on this topic. He continued by mentioning that royal protocol strictly specifies that women are required to wear hats from exactly 6 am to 6 pm on the dot.
“Whenever there is a royal event at Westminster Abbey or a ceremony, they will wear hats. It’s important to mention they don’t wear fascinators. Even at Ascot, fascinators aren’t encouraged,” – Grant Harrold
This unwritten rule matters not just for what it says about history, but because it suggests ceding royal status. Harrold elaborated to us that there was an official protocol dictating that women were allowed to don hats only during daytime. After 6 pm, the married women switched into their gold-and-berried heirloom tiaras. At the same time, un-tiarad single women were considered to be fair game.
“There was a rule that stated ladies could wear hats from the morning at 6 am until 6 pm. After this, they would wear tiaras if they were married. If they didn’t wear tiaras, this would mean they were single and looking to mingle. Royal women follow this old etiquette rule,” – Grant Harrold
Princess Kate traditionally switches to red clothing for significant engagements. This color selection is more than just their favorite color, because blue represents bravery, determination and devotion.
“One reason Kate may be choosing to wear red is due to it symbolising courage, willpower and sacrifice,” – Marina
