cap of maintenance

British  

noun

1. a ceremonial cap or hat worn or carried as a symbol of office, rank, etc

---

Example Sentences

The "cap of maintenance" might sound like a policy on cutting benefits, but it's a red velvet cap that is carefully carried as the King makes his way to the House of Lords to read out the speech.

From BBC

PS: The "Cap of Maintenance" is a red velvet hat, lined with ermine, that is one of the Royal Family's insignia.

From BBC

Sir Grummore stood up respectfully and took off his cap of maintenance.

From Literature

Most of those children live in "hardworking" households with jobs, but no royal Cap of Maintenance was held out for them.

From The Guardian

The caps of velvet turned up with miniver, which are now always worn with the peer’s coronet, are therefore the ancient caps of honour, akin to that “cap of maintenance” worn by English sovereigns on their coronation days when walking to the Abbey Church, and borne before them on occasions of royal state.

From Project Gutenberg