HOT HATS! We rank the Queen’s Canada visit outfits

Queen Elizabeth II has left the country, but behind her she’s also left a lifetime of memories. Fashion memories. And since QEII made plenty of outfit changes during her nine-day stay in Canada, we decided to rate them by their fabulousness. Keep in mind, when we say fabulous, we mean octogenarian queen fabulous, not 16-year-old model fabulous. Jump to the next page for our look back at the Queen’s wardrobe choices >>

Day one: The Queen begins her trip to Canada in rainy Halifax on June 28. Here, donning a smart trench and carrying a snappy bubble umbrella, she visits the Canadian Navy to celebrate its centenary. Props for the coordinating buttercup dress, hat and umbrella.

Fabulousness factor: 4 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day two: Elizabeth II takes a tour of the HMCS St. John’s in Halifax. We assume her stylist planned the black-and-white ensemble to contrast with the crew. The coat is accented with tiny bows on the sleeve and pockets, and the ribbon on her hat echoes the white belts the officers wear.

Fabulousness factor: 3 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day two: The Queen does her take on Michelle Obama at a reception celebrating Halifax—note the maple leaf brooch. The beading on the coat was done by women from the Mi’kmaq tribe. It’s nice to see Lizzy sans hat, but we’re not loving the ruffled skirt.

Fabulousness factor: 2 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day three: Now in Ottawa at the Museum of Nature, QEII wears a pale blue (a favourite colour of hers) granny outfit with one of her less fabulous hats. The look is too conservative, even for the capital.

Fabulousness factor: 1 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day four: O Canada! The Queen resembles the flag with her red skirt suit, white accessories and yet another maple leaf pin for the Canada Day celebrations at Parliament. The black granny shoes are a letdown, though she is 84.

Fabulousness factor: 2 out of 5 fancy hats. (Editor’s note: We awarded an extra hat for patriotism; otherwise, this would be a one-hat outfit.)

Day five: The Queen takes the day off, we assume because she needed to recuperate from this distressing Canada Day entertainment.

Day six: QEII leaves Ottawa and arrives at the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg. This is probably more purple in one outfit than Winnipeg has ever seen, but clearly the Queen is loving it—look at that catwalk strut.

Fabulousness factor: Taking into consideration her fashion show–ready walk, 3 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day six: The Queen changes into a pale green and pink floral dress with a jacket, which we prefer to whatever it is that Laureen Harper is wearing. We like the oddly shaped top hat, but with all the bouquets being tossed at her, she could have picked up a coordinating bunch.

Fabulousness factor: 2 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day seven: Back in blue for her Toronto debut, Queen Elizabeth arrives at St. James Cathedral for a Sunday service. We think our grandma owns this dress. Ho-hum.

Fabulousness factor: 1 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day seven: Later in the day, the Queen heads to Woodbine for some good old-fashioned race day partying. This getup looks incredibly similar to what she wore in the morning, but it’s got a dash more panache. Still, we think Toronto deserves more glitz, Liz, your escort is kind of outshining you.

Fabulousness factor: 2 out of 5 fancy hats, because that is a pretty fancy hat.

Day eight: On her second day in Toronto, the Queen visits Pinewood Studios to watch a film of her coronation that’s been turned into 3-D. Bedazzled with the letter “Q,” her 3-D glasses are the slickest we’ve ever seen. In fact, QEII looks downright badass in this photo. Too bad about the autumnal colours.

Fabulousness factor: 4 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day eight: For a dinner with Stephen Harper at the Royal York in the evening, the Queen wore a gown embellished with Swarovski crystal maple leaves, breaking out her crown (the fanciest of hats) and showing the world what true bling is all about.

Fabulousness factor: 5 out of 5 fancy hats.

Day nine: The Queen departs for the U.S. Boo. It’s not even part of the Commonwealth! She looks like a summer sherbet.

Fabulousness factor: 1 out of 5 fancy hats, but maybe we’re just bitter.