Anna Valentine, Fiona Clare, and Philip Treacy, three of Queen Camilla’s favorite fashion designers, were awarded the Royal Warrant on Thursday for their years of service to the royal family.
A Royal Warrant of Appointment allows a company to use the Royal Arms in connection with its business for up to five years at a time and indicates that a company supplies goods or services to the royal household. This week, King Charles and Camilla awarded nearly 400 companies with Royal Warrants. Camilla’s other grantees include her longtime hairdresser Jo Hansford, beauty brand Heaven Health & Beauty Ltd., couturier Mr. Roy, and the Forum Veterinary Practice.
“Being awarded the Royal Warrant is a great honor and a true accolade. It’s a wonderful moment and I’m bursting with pride,” Clare, who has dressed Camilla for 12 years and created some of the royal’s most memorable looks, exclusively tells Vanity Fair. “I found out at the beginning of the week, but I’ve had to keep it a secret. It’s still a pinch me moment that after all these years my designs are being worn by the queen and being seen all around the world.”
Most recently, Camilla wore a red velvet dress designed by Clare for the Qatari state visit on December 3. The queen paired the vibrant dress with the diamond Kokoshnik tiara, which previously belonged to her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. She coordinated the tiara with a necklace from the late monarch’s vault.
“The queen has worn the dress before; she is a fan of recycling her outfits, which I think sends out a good message, but it looked completely different with the tiara and the sash she was wearing,” Clare says. “I think we’ve seen the queen’s style evolve over the years, and to me, she looks more regal today.”
As for conceptualizing Queen Camilla’s looks, Clare works alongside her fellow honorees as well as the queen’s dresser, Jackie Meakin. The process often begins with Clare sketching designs to be reviewed by Camilla—who favors natural materials like silk and pure wool—before the queen and Meakin make their selection together.
