Back in February this year I wrote on my blog how full of optimism I was that the Royal Wedding would usher in a new era of hat wearing, and I am happy to report that my optimism was well founded. I know my fellow Livery Milliners will join me in applauding the wonderful spring Season that we all had as a result.

At the service onlookers were treated to a fine array of British millinery:

Princess Royal's hat by Walter Wright

Some pieces more eccentric than others, but I myself was delighted to see the return of the proper brimmed hat. Ian Wright from hat company Walter Wright in Luton, saw his profile raised by designing Princess Anne’s elegant purple hat and welcomed the increase in business that followed.

Milliner Eda Rose Lawson, Master elect, says she has definitely felt the results of celebrating two Royal Weddings in one year, with many more clients inspired by the coverage wanting to wear hats.

Hat by Eda Rose Millinery

Interest from abroad, especially the US, was extraordinary. At Rachel Trevor-Morgan we had numerous film crews visiting our premises and had over 20 hats being worn in the Abbey on the day, most notably by HRH Princess Alexandra who wore a peacock blue tulle bell hat with flowers.

This year Royal Ascot celebrated its 300th. anniversary and the public embraced their new found love of hats. John Lewis sold out of Ian’s hats and Harrods sold out of mine, both of us were contacted by our respective buyers and asked for ‘any’ available stock as they had nothing left.

And then we had the wedding of Zara Phillips to Mike Tindall where amongst others, HM The Queen was wearing a Rachel Trevor-Morgan peach hat.

Princess Alexandra's hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan

The Duchess of Cambridge has already shown herself to be a wonderful and much needed ambassador for the British Hat Industry and as a result we are seeing a real revival in hats, as any fashion magazine will currently tell you – it is the must have accessory of the moment.

Hat’s off to that !

Rachel Trevor-Morgan

All hats shown were worn at one of these Royal ceremonies