What’s a British royal wedding without fancy hats? Answer: There’s no such thing.
A special occasion in British society is never complete without a hat. This tradition dates back to the 1950s. Before then, ladies, especially those who belonged to the upper class, would very rarely show their hair in public. Fast forward to the present, wearing a hat to a formal event has become a “part of the social fabric” of British culture, Hilary Alexander, fashion director at the Daily Telegraph, tells ABC News.
Royal protocol also dictates that “all women must wear a hat to official occasions,” according to Insider. In fact, the Queen herself has become a style icon in her own right, often photographed donning bright and colorful hats to one too many fêtes—and clearly, the union between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is no exception.
Scroll down and see all the stylish women we spotted wearing the most interesting headdresses at this year’s #RoyalWedding:
Queen Elizabeth II
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
Lady Kitty Spencer
Carole Middleton
Oprah Winfrey
Amal Clooney
Victoria Beckham
Serena Williams
Gina Torres
Troian Bellisario
Sarah, Duchess of York
Karen Spencer, Countess Spencer
Idris Elba
Giada Lubomirski
Sarah Rafferty
Jacinda Barrett
Princess Michael of Kent
Doria Ragland
Princess Anne, Princess Royal
Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Autumn Phillips
Chelsy Davy
Abigail Leigh Spencer and Priyanka Chopra
