Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Meghan Markle was praised by a fashion designer who has worked for the Royal Family and said he is “delighted” that the duchess is still a regular client despite moving back to the US five years ago.
The Duchess of Sussex sported various designers throughout her short royal career, which started in 2018 following her marriage to Prince Harry and ended two years later after the couple stepped down as senior working royals and moved to the US.
But there is one fashion house that is particularly close to her heart – Dior – which Meghan has worn several times.
Notably, the duchess opted for the French fashion house for the late Queen’s funeral in 2022, Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations a few months earlier and also in 2018 to attend a service commemorating The Royal Air Force’s 100th Birthday.
Now, Dior’s Creative Director of Hats, world-renowned milliner Stephen Jones, has heaped praise on the duchess and opened up about what it’s like to work with the Royal Family.
Mr Jones, in a new interview with the Daily Mail for the tenth anniversary of the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective, of which he is one of the participating designers, said Meghan “always wears the hat – the hat doesn’t wear her”.
He quipped about the duchess: “I am delighted that the Duchess is a regular client.
“She wears a hat with aplomb.”
The milliner has also worked with the late Princess Diana, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
He described Diana, who he started working with after her marriage to King Charles in 1981, as “charming” and claimed that she would listen to Wham Rap! on her Walkman during their fittings.
Mr Jones said: “I first worked with her at the very beginning of her marriage and she realised that wearing a hat was an important part of her being royal and looking regal.”
Another milliner from Edinburgh, Sally-Ann Provan, who is also one of the participating designers in the Collective, spoke about her work with the Royal Family.
Some of her designs have been worn by the Princess of Wales and the Princesses of York in the past.
Ms Provan said: “That was an exciting day [Royal Ascot in 2018], both Princesses [Beatrice and Eugenie] looked utterly stunning.
“I was so delighted that both of their Royal Highnesses chose to wear my hats on Gold Cup Day (Ladies Day) at Royal Ascot – it was such a special time.”
Both the milliners took part in a live show at London Fashion Week this week to honour the Collective’s tenth anniversary, as Royal Ascot made history by joining the British Fashion Council as a Patron, becoming the only sporting venue and event to do so.
The Collective’s Creative Director Daniel Fletcher told the outlet: “My vision for the 10th Royal Ascot Millinery Collective draws from the timeless elegance of Parisian couture houses and Savile Row’s bespoke craftsmanship.”