Kate Middleton’s Favorite Milliner Jane Taylor Talks Designing For Her, Other British And European Royals

Designer Jane Taylor, Kate Middleton’s favorite milliner, said how the Duchess of Cambridge gave her career a head start when she picked a hat from her collection. The royal wore a custom creation by the designer — a pale pink beaded cocktail hat during the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II. Taylor’s career has gone stellar thanks to the “Kate effect.”

The 34-year-old London-based designer’s career got off to a great start with members of the British royal family sporting her designs and bespoke creations. Kate wore Jane Taylor designs for both Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2013 and 2015, respectively. In addition, her younger sister Pippa also opted for Jane Taylor Millinery for her nieces christening.

Taylor spoke to Hello in an exclusive interview. “I was going for a run and I saw a billboard with images flashing up, one of which was of the christening. It was such a shock, I nearly fell into the road,” said the designer, talking about one-year-old Charlotte’s christening.

She added that it was a big honor to work with the duchess, who is a “great ambassador for British fashion.” The designs that she creates for Kate are exclusively for the royal. Taylor does not use the designs for anyone else for at least the first two or three year.

The hatmaker is also the go-to milliner for Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. The 51-year-old royal has been exclusively wearing Jane Taylor hats since 2009 for major events and engagements. The designer said Sophie was lovely and wore everything well.

Prince Edward’s wife is also a style icon and always gives Taylor a freehand to create hats for her. She famously has been pictured wearing the bespoke hats to Ascot and other events. The designer said Sophie gave her the outfits which she would want to wear for a particular event and then she would design the hats.

Other royals donning Jane Taylor Millenery include Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, Princess Eugenie and Sophie’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor. Going down memory lane, Taylor recounted that her first royal commissions, about a decade back were “nerve-wracking.” However, she now treats the royals as all her other clients and tries to make them feel special.

Besides, Taylor’s other clients include European royals like Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. This apart, stars like Beyoncé, Rita Ora and Michelle Dockery and Kate Moss have worn her designs.