King Felipe usually keeps his headwear to a baseball cap while sailing off the coast of Mallorca in the summer but in recent months he’s developed a rather striking taste in hats.

For the second time in a matter of months, the King of Spain has been seen sporting a huge tasselled dome hat but there is a good reason why the usually snappy dresser is adding these unusual items to his often praised wardrobe.

Felipe VI is currently being feted by universities across Europe for his work in social and cultural matters and the hats are part of the deal. The tassels are part of the traditional headwear for doctors of the educational establishments where he’s being recognised. Spain’s king has been wearing them to accept honorary degrees.

The latest was presented to him by the University of Coimbra in Portugal where Felipe VI was given an honorary doctorate in law. He was recognised alongside the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was there to congratulate both men.

Accepting his degree, King Felipe looked somewhat amused at the bright red hat which was completely covered in tassels. He also wore a rather elaborate red hood over his black university gown for the ceremony.

He later visited the National Museum of Machado de Castro in Coimbra with the Italian and Portuguese presidents and looked rather more comfortable enjoying a musical performance there.

This isn’t King Felipe’s first encounter this year with unusual headwear. In February he received another honorary degree, this time from the University of Alcala in Spain, where he was presented with another striking hat. On that occasion, Queen Letizia was on hand to help him adjust his academic outfit and share a smile over the hat.