Carole Middleton’s Royal Wedding Hat Hubbub

By Anne Chertoff 04/24/11 at 09:25 PM

Photo: Getty Images

Hat’s off! First, Carole Middleton fired the designer of her mother-of-the-bride look. Now, the milliner of a custom topper is out as well.

As we previously reported, just weeks before the royal wedding, Carole Middleton fired Lindka Cierach, the designer of her custom mother-of-the-bride dress and jacket.

Other casualties of Mrs. Middleton’s change of heart: milliner Jess Collett and the hat—a dusk blue double-brim style created specifically to complement the $7,400 Cierach ensemble, reports the Daily Mail.

Collett was notified by Cierach’s office that Middleton would not be accessorizing with the topper and relayed her extreme disappointment to the British paper: “She is not wearing the hat. It’s gutting. Carole hasn’t contacted me directly. I work closely with Lindka and I was only told through her what was happening.”

While who is working on Carole’s dress is still unknown (a Middleton family sighting with Alice Temperley has caused speculation), Vivien Sheriff confirmed that she’s designing a hat for Carole as well as chapeaux for several wedding guests including Kate’s sister Pippa and Prince Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davey.

“We have done something for Carole, too, but I won’t know until the day if she will choose to wear it,” Sheriff told the Daily Mail.

At this rate, we’re not sure Middleton herself will know until the day ...

In related news, check out our exclusive interview with Philip Treacy, the famous milliner who was commissioned to create hats for the royal wedding.

And for all things Will and Kate, keep an eye on our Royal Wedding Watch.