I've had more fun obsessing over Meghan Markle [1]'s style than I've had with my own friends this year. OK, that's a bit dramatic, but it has been really exciting for me to see what gorgeous dress [2], stunning shoes [3], or shockingly affordable bag [4] the Duchess of Sussex shows up with during her royal appearances. Now that she's officially a member of Britain's most famous family, there are many sartorial rules Meghan has to abide by (not that she always follows them [5]), and one of them includes wearing hats.
For the royal family, hats aren't just fun ways to punch up an outfit or shield your eyes from the sun [6]. Up until the 1950s, showing your hair in public was not allowed, though these days hats are only reserved for more formal daytime events [7] such as church services, weddings, and Trooping the Colour. Needless to say, Meghan has already mastered her royal hat game at all of these events, from her debuts at annual festivities like Christmas service and Royal Ascot to attending the weddings of Harry's close friends [8]. See what I mean when you scroll through and devour Meghan's best headwear moments.
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, December 2017
For her first Christmas service with the royal family, Meghan donned a brown hat with a fun twisted detail [10] from legendary hat designer Philip Treacy.
Meghan Wearing Stephen Jones, March 2018
The duchess wore an understated, white beret-inspired fascinator [11] for Commonwealth Day services in London.
Meghan Wearing a Black Wide-Brimmed Hat, April 2018
The floppy hat Meghan wore to dawn church services on Anzac Day is one that every fashion girl should have in her closet.
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, April 2018
Later that afternoon, Meghan switched her wide-brimmed hat for a fascinator with a chic beaded dragonfly design.
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, May 2018
Just days after her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan celebrated her new father-in-law Charles's 70th birthday event wearing yet another hat by the famous British milliner [12], who is also a longtime favourite of Kate Middleton's.
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, June 2018
Some thought that Meghan rewore her bespoke Philip Treacy hat at her first Trooping the Colour, but it was actually just a different pale pink, bespoke Philip Treacy hat. Lucky girl!
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, June 2018
Meghan made her Royal Ascot debut [13] in a black and white hat [14] that paired perfectly with her white Givenchy dress.
Meghan Wearing Sean Barrett, July 2018
Meghan matched her hat to her olive green Ralph Lauren dress [15] at Prince Louis's christening.
Meghan Wearing Sean Barrett, July 2018
Meghan gave her simple Dior dress a kick with this swirled, netted hat for a Royal Air Force event.
Meghan Wearing Philip Treacy, August 2018
For the wedding of Prince Harry's close friend Charlie van Straubenzee (which also marked her 37th birthday!), Meghan wore a dark navy hat [16] with an intricate leaf design.