Palace list reveals headgear is the top gift for royal guests

Much is made of the jewels and curiosities handed to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their Canadian trip.
But among those valuable and unusual gifts was an unusual anomaly: the prevalence of a multitude of headgear.

The royal couple were presented with no fewer than 20 different hats during their first joint overseas trip. From the multiple cowboy hats bestowed upon them – one pair in Calgary, which the two wore to the rodeo – to all-American baseball caps (William was given three to add to his burgeoning collection), and even glamorous fascinators for Kate – one in tartan and one in peacock.

Kate also received two blue hats, one from Canada’s health and wellness minister, and keen pilot William was given a flying helmet by 12 Wing Shearwater of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Hats have proved a popular gift elsewhere too, with Prince William being presented with a plentiful supply on his trip to New Zealand and Australia in March last year.
In New Zealand, he received two sets of baseball caps, while in Australia he was given a traditional Akubra hat (an Australian bush hat) by country singer Troy Cassar-Daley.

Prince Charles was not left out either – after last year’s round of gifting, he is now the proud owner of a trilby. The information was released as part of a list from Clarence House detailing all the gifts bestowed upon the royal family this year.
The full list can be seen here.