A royal designer is “delighted” to still be working with Meghan Markle despite her move to the US.
The Duchess of Sussex is known to love the French fashion house, Dior, having worn its designs at the Platinum Jubilee and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Stephen Jones, the milliner at Dior, has worked directly with Princess Diana, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle.
Speaking about Meghan, he noted she “always wears the hat – the hat doesn’t wear her.”
Royal designer ‘delighted’ to still be working with Meghan Markle despite move to US
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The mother-of-two has worn hats from both Jones’s namesake brand and the House of Dior, where he has served as a milliner since 1996.
He added: “I am delighted that the Duchess is a regular client. She wears a hat with aplomb.”
Jones has a long history with royal women, as he began working with the late Princess Diana soon after her wedding to King Charles in 1981.
During their fittings, the “charming” Princess would listen to Wham Rap! on her Walkman, according to the milliner.
Stephen Jones has been a longstanding milliner at Dior
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Jones continued to tell the Mail: “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.”
Sally-Ann Provan, an Edinburgh-based milliner, also told the publication about her experiences of working with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie at Royal Ascot in 2018.
She said: “That was an exciting day, both Princesses 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 Jones and Provan are taking part in a live show at London Fashion Week this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.
Meghan Markle wearing a Dior outfit at the Platinum Jubilee in 2022
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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie pictured in 2018 at Royal Ascot
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Ascot has made history by joining the British Fashion Council as a Patron, becoming the only sporting venue and event to do so.
Creative Director Daniel Fletcher told the Mail: “My vision for the 10th Royal Ascot Millinery Collective draws from the timeless elegance of Parisian couture houses and Savile Row’s bespoke craftsmanship.
“This immersive presentation highlights the artistry behind each piece, celebrating millinery as both a tradition and a continually evolving art form.”
