Because she chose to wear a fascinator to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral rather than a hat, First Lady Jill Biden has drawn criticism from certain social media users.
The first lady, 71, arrived at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday with her husband, Vice President Joe Biden, wearing a black Schiaparelli bespoke suit and a fascinator, a headpiece that needs to be secured with a clip, comb, or headband.
According to Fascinators Direct, an online retailer of hats and fascinators, women “frequently wear fascinators to formal occasions such as weddings and events.”
Fascinators are frequently seen at happy occasions, such weddings. While they can be worn to solemn occasions like funerals, it would be more polite to don a hat as a mark of respect.
A Biden spokeswoman has been contacted by USA TODAY for comment.
On September 19, 2022, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden travel to London to attend the State Funeral Service for Queen Elizabeth II. They enter Westminster Abbey and take their seats.
Funeral updates for Queen Elizabeth II: In a private ceremony, the queen and her husband are laid to rest.
Twitter users immediately criticised Biden for the apparent fashion gaffe.
A “huge black bow in your hair” isn’t appropriate at a funeral, according to Twitter user @woobs98765.
@JoBaillie4 questioned, “Why did she do that?”
@TruthsOverLiars tweeted, “That awful headband bow on her hair at a state burial.” It is not high tea here.
According to @jijiipetti, “The head piece truly made my designer friends choke.” It’s inappropriate in every sense, a flippant bow at a solemn funeral.
“What gives Jill Biden a party bow on top of her head?” questioned @Airstrip 0ne
On September 19, 2022, in London, the day of the state burial for Queen Elizabeth II, First Lady Jill Biden can be seen outside Westminster Abbey.
The columnist Doug Sanders tweeted that “Black fascinators are excellent acceptable funeral wear, by the way,” joining other users in defending Biden.
Jill Biden just walked in wearing one, I see on the TV,” Sanders continued.
When wearing a bow hairband, Biden “looks so cute,” according to Twitter user @ oftherisingsun.
The funeral of the queen, which marked the official end of a historic 70-year reign, drew tens of thousands of people from all around the world. The queen was later buried with her husband of 73 years, her sister Margaret, and her parents in a secret family ceremony beneath St. George’s Chapel.
The words “Queen Elizabeth II spent her life for the people she served with wisdom and elegance” were written by Biden in the official condolences book, according to a picture posted by the New York Times’ White House writer Zolan Kanno-Youngs.
At her funeral, Queen Elizabeth II, there were moving moments, including weeping royals and funeral wreaths.
Local media reported that it was difficult to find black hats before the queen’s funeral. According to The Daily Mail, Princess Beatrice left a hat shop empty-handed because there were not enough black hats in London.