One spring morning I was exercising my favourite horse Joker when my husband Christopher phoned me to say that we had been invited to a “very special wedding”. When I asked him whose wedding he said “William and Kate of course! “- I couldn’t quite believe it!
Christopher and I are tenants of a four hundred acre Duchy of Cornwall beef and arable farm, as well as having forty horses and ponies at livery, and spend most of our time outside in our working clothes. My initial reply was “I can’t possibly go to that I have nothing suitable to wear.”
Despite a month of searching most of shops in the West Country, I could not find a suitable outfit for such a special occasion. Then, one of the livery owners suggested a visit to Wedmore. After an initial phone call and a quick dash up the M5 I arrived at Compton House of Fashion. I was given a very warm welcome and about twenty outfits to try on and found “the one”- an elegant John Charles silk chiffon dress and jacket and a beautiful hat by Nigel Rayment. The hat was trimmed to match and fitted by Polly, Susan the seamstress made the final adjustments so that the outfit fitted perfectly.
Everyone was so helpful and made sure that every detail was perfect. A dash to the shoe shop next door, and the outfit was complete! My day ended perfectly watching my son win his first National Hunt Race for Philip Hobbs on TV in the bookmakers in Wells, and returning home to Cornwall to find dinner already cooked by my daughter was ready and waiting.
The dress and hat (in a very large box) made the journey safely up to London with my husband’s morning suit and co-ordinating tie.
On arrival at the Abbey we realised that we were standing behind a very famous couple- David and Victoria Beckham. The cameras of the world were on us! I felt so at ease in my gorgeous outfit. I am sure that any show judge would have given us full marks for tack and turnout and certainly an Olympic Gold for Compton House of Fashion for all their kind and generous help and professional wisdom-a big thank you to you all!