The royals’ favourite hat maker today backed Camilla to be the “next Queen of England”, as he helped her win the fashion stakes at Australia’s biggest horse race.
Milliner Philip Treacy said of the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended the Melbourne Cup with Prince Charles: “She is so easy to work with. It really is an honour to make the hats for the next Queen of England.”
He spoke after the Standard revealed the Queen now believes Camilla will be accepted as Queen Consort when Charles ascends the throne. Camilla is a fan and friend of the Irish milliner, who has also designed hats for the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Beatrice and Lady Gaga. He took a week to make her Melbourne Cup creation.
After the race, won by Green Moon, she handed the golden trophy to Nick Williams, son of the horse’s owner Lloyd, in front of 120,000 racegoers.
The Duchess had a flutter, backing Mount Athos, who came fifth, and let slip that she thought the Melbourne Cup — known as the race that stops a nation — put Royal Ascot in the shade.
Amanda Elliott, vice-chairman of Victoria Racing Club at the Flemington racecourse, said: “She is fabulous. We talked horses, which she knows a lot about. She was delighted to be here and couldn’t believe the crowds.
“She said it made Ascot look very small.” Prince Charles, at the Melbourne Cup for the first time since 1985, also presented a trophy. After a circuit of the course in a white VW, the couple were met by Victoria state premier Ted Baillieu and Alex Chernov, the state’s governor. They received a warm welcome in the general enclosure, where they spoke to spectators and sparked cries of “Marry me!” Racegoer Lena Trimboli said: “She is extraordinary, very dainty and down to earth.”
Earlier, Prince Charles tested his bowling prowess at Melbourne cricket ground and visited a sports clinic for disadvantaged young people.
