The Tamesis
Her new hat, a wide-brimmed black and cream straw design with a wide brim, sculptural brim and floral accents, is a vintage style designed by Vienna-born British milliner Mitzi Lorenz. The milliner became famous in Britain between the late 1930s and the 1980s for his jewel-toned hats and floral bow headdresses.
Lorenz started her millinery business in 1938, living in a flat above a hat shop on London’s Great Portland Street and building a millinery empire. Under her guidance, she promoted the development of some of Britain’s most famous milliners, such as Frederick Fox and Rose Cory, who would later design hats for Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family. The millinery legend continued to make millinery until his later years, and passed away in 1999 at the age of 88. The business has since declined, but Lorenz’s archival work, including that of Kate, can be found online.
Pearls have also become Kate’s signature, and she often wears the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Bahraini pearl drop earrings, which are made from seven rare pearls and were a gift to Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947.
Kate has been a regular at the annual garden party, but she was absent in 2024 as she undergoes cancer treatment. She also misses the early years immediately after the births of Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. At past garden parties, she has often chosen to re-wear custom-made dresses by Emilia Wickstead, Christopher Kane and Alexander McQueen, paired with matching headpieces in spring hues.
Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Zara Tindall also attended the event.
