The King’s Foundation announces millinery partnership with Royal Ascot
The King’s Foundation today announces its collaboration with Royal Ascot, marking a significant commitment to the future of millinery.
To mark the 10th anniversary of their Millinery Collective – Royal Ascot have introduced a £10,000 annual bursary to support a King’s Foundation and CHANEL graduating millinery student, nurturing the next generation of specialist milliners in the UK.
“This is such a fantastic opportunity for our talented millinery students as they begin to build their businesses. We are delighted to be working with Ascot and our long-term partners CHANEL and Le19M to recognise the importance of the British tradition of millinery. The Royal Family are incredible ambassadors for the craft of millinery and as The King’s charity we are proud to be supporting the future of this skill at the most iconic hat-wearing event of the year.”
Daniel McAuliffe, Education Director at The King’s Foundation
In addition to the bursary which launches for the first cohort of students (2024/2025), going forward as part of the 2025/26 curriculum, that will run from September 2025 to April 2026, students will design a Royal Ascot-inspired hat, with one design selected as the 11th piece to feature in the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective from 2026 onwards.
Alongside this exciting educational partnership, The King’s Foundation and CHANEL’s Fellowship’s students work will be showcased at Royal Ascot 2025, offering racegoers a unique opportunity to view the designs of emerging talent.
“This year has been a landmark moment for Ascot as we not only celebrate a decade of our Millinery Collective but also make our debut on the London Fashion Week calendar. By supporting The CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M, we are proud to champion the future of this art form. Exquisite hats and millinery masterpieces are woven into the very fabric of Royal Ascot’s heritage and we are committed to preserving and celebrating this tradition for generations to come.”
Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive, Ascot Racecourse
The CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M was launched in 2024 with a cohort of six talented students. The intensive programme aims to train the next generation of specialist milliners in the UK, with the support of Parisien hat-maker Maison Michel at le19M in Paris. This forms part of The King’s Foundation’s wider work to protect traditional heritage skills that are at risk of being lost, a subject His Majesty The King is passionate about.
The highly skilled 35-week residential Millinery Fellowship is based at the CHANEL Metiers d’art Training Atelier at Highgrove and at The King’s Foundation at Trinity Buoy Wharf London. Students spend time at Maison Michel in Paris and the programme also includes a two-week industry placement, based in the UK.
