Some of the UK’s leading milliners have created a one-off collection of hats inspired by the seven decades of The Queen’s reign to be auctioned in aid of Brain Tumour Research.
The collection of 15, which is entitled “Hats Fit For A Queen” and includes pieces by Royal milliners Stephen Jones OBE and Rachel Trevor-Morgan, is being auctioned online until midnight on Sunday 12th June.
The hats will be displayed in the Queen’s Stand at Epsom Downs Racecourse for both days of The Cazoo Derby this weekend.
This year’s Derby takes place across the central weekend of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations when Her Majesty The Queen is set to attend Derby Day for the 73rd time, her first since 2019.
Karen Pengelly, Bid Manager for Go Epsom said:
“We chose hats as a theme because it ticks every box: hats and style are synonymous with horseracing, Her Majesty is the world’s most famous hat wearer and Epsom is home to the University of Creative Arts and some of the brightest young designers. Hats are fun, stylish, visual and colourful, perfectly matching the excitement and ambience of Epsom over the first weekend in June.
“In addition to this great initiative our local schools and charities are busy designing and embellishing their own headpieces and we look forward to seeing all of the hats being proudly shown off over the Jubilee weekend!”
Carol Robertson, National Events Manager of Brain Tumour Research comments:
“We are proud and delighted to be involved in this project, and it was wonderful to see Lisa Connell model one of the hats at Epsom a few weeks ago.
“The British Hat Guild’s generous contribution of these regal hats for the Derby will raise crucial awareness and fund vital research that can improve the lives of those living with brain tumours across the country”.
The project forms part of Go Epsom’s wider Jubilee festivities across the Borough of Epsom and Ewell, which celebrate the Queen’s lasting association with hats and their continued importance as a quintessential piece of raceday style.
Image credit: Brain Tumour Research