LONDON • Queen Elizabeth II's choice of headgear for a speech setting out how the British government will implement Brexit raised more than a few eyebrows, causing some to draw comparisons with the European Union's flag.

Twitter users posted pictures of the Queen's blue hat decorated with yellow-centred flowers alongside an image of the blue EU flag with yellow stars representing its member states.

"Clearly the EU still inspires some in the UK," tweeted European Parliament Brexit spokesman Guy Verhofstadt, while opposition Labour MP Paul Flynn jokingly referred to it as an "anti-Brexit hat".

Others quipped that the Queen might be "trolling" Mrs May, noting that the 91-year-old monarch might have been put out by having to attend the delayed formal opening of Parliament instead of attending her beloved Royal Ascot horse races.

One Twitter user wrote: "The award for 'Best Trolling Using a Hat' goes to the #QueensSpeech".

"Is the Queen trying to tell us something about Brexit with her hat?" the Daily Telegraph asked.

But others expressed confusion, given the rumours that the Queen is in fact in favour of leaving the EU.

The BBC has reported her saying before the referendum that Britain should "just get on with" leaving the EU and that Brexit would not be a "problem".

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE