hats

Why royal ladies will wear hats to attend the Queen's funeral

The Queen passed away peacefully at home in Scotland

Fashion & Ecommerce Writer
September 13, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September, and the ceremonial procession is set to feature many age-old traditions as the royal family pays their respects to the late monarch.

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One longstanding tradition involves what the royal ladies will be wearing. There is a strict protocol when it comes to how the royal women in attendance should dress, and Camilla, Queen Consort, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie and all other royal ladies attending will be expected to wear black tights and dresses.

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One accessory in particular that is extremely important is a headpiece. All the royal ladies will be expected to wear either a hat or a fascinator as they attend the Queen's funeral.

MORE: Queen receives visit from friend and dressmaker Angela Kelly ahead of Prince Philip's funeral

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are often seen wearing hats at events such as christenings, birthdays and weddings, and this is because royal women are expected to wear hats at all royal formal events. According to Bustle, the etiquette rule dates back to the 1950s, when it was seen as improper for royal women and upper-class ladies to show their hair in public.

© Photo: Getty Images

The royal ladies always wear hats to royal formal events

Although all royal women attending will be dressed in accordance with these traditions, there is one member of the family who may be dressed a little differently.

Princess Anne - The Queen's only daughter - may be wearing her military uniform as per tradition, as royals have worn military dress at state occasions since the 19th century.

© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Anne is The Queen's only daughter

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The day is expected to begin at 9am when Big Ben will chime and then the Queen’s funeral cortege will arrive at Westminster Abbey at 11am. There will be a minute’s silence held around the country as she enters the abbey.

The main procession will take place following the event. Then, there will be a full military parade, with contributions from the Navy and the RAF as the coffin makes it way down The Mall. This parade will end at Hyde Park Corner, at which point the hearse will travel by road to Windsor Castle.

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