Royal Ascot Announces New Millinery Bursary, In Partnership With The King’s Foundation

Royal Ascot is undeniably one of the biggest sporting and fashion events on the British social calendar – and it only get bigger when it comes to the hats. And now, on the 10th anniversary of the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective, Ascot Racecourse has announced a new collaboration with The King’s Foundation to support the next generation of milliners.

Ascot Racecourse & The King’s Foundation Unveil Bursary Supporting Up-And-Coming Milliners

Working in collaboration with the CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M, Ascot Racecourse will introduce a £10,000 annual bursary to support a graduating millinery student – and ensure that the heritage craft is preserved and continues to flourish in the future.

‘This is such a fantastic opportunity for our talented millinery students as they begin to build their businesses,’ said Daniel McAuliffe, Education Director at The King’s Foundation. ‘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.’

Royal Ascot Lookbook 2025

Launched in 2024, the CHANEL & The King’s Foundation Métiers d’Art Millinery Fellowship in Partnership with le19M is an intensive programme designed 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 year, six up-and-coming designers have taken part in the 35-week residential Millinery Fellowship, split between Maison Michel in Paris, the CHANEL Metiers d’art Training Atelier at Highgrove and The King’s Foundation at Trinity Buoy Wharf London. The programme also includes a two-week industry placement based in the UK. The work of students from this year’s cohort will be showcased in the Queen Anne Enclosure at Royal Ascot 2025, as part of a display celebrating British craftsmanship and millinery fashion.

Meanwhile, future students (starting from the 2025/2026 academic year) will also have the chance to design a Royal Ascot-inspired hat – with one to be selected as the 11th piece to feature in the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.

The Royal Ascot Millinery Collection At London Fashion Week AW25

‘This year has been a landmark moment for Ascot as we celebrate a decade of our Millinery Collective,’ commented Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive of Ascot Racecourse. The Millinery Collection also made their debut at London Fashion Week earlier this year, with Ascot joining the British Fashion Council as a patron. ‘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.’

kings-foundation.org | ascot.com

When Is Royal Ascot 2025?

This year, Royal Ascot falls between Tuesday 17 and Saturday 21 June. For more information on the event (and ideas for what to wear), see our edit here.

Featured image taken from the Royal Ascot 2025 Lookbook