The stylish crowd in London is often recognized for keeping cool. However, when Catherine, Princess of Wales, walked out to deliver this year’s Queen Elizabeth II Award on Tuesday, the editors and designers at a ceremony for one of the most prominent local prizes in the business grew really enthusiastic.
Catherine strolled with Mr. McDowell into 180 the Strand, the Central London building where the event was held, surrounded by mannequins and models sporting the designer’s creations. She was dressed in an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow shirt. The British Fashion Council and the British royal family established the award in 2018 to honor the part London’s fashion sector “plays in society and diplomacy,” and the princess was presenting it for the second time.
The princess did not speak in public during the ceremony, but according to Mr. McDowell, they had a private discussion about a number of subjects, such as their mutual admiration for fine craftsmanship, the designer’s attempts to produce collections in Britain, and the possibility for customers to repair or repurpose old clothing.
Mr. McDowell went on to say that when Catherine looked over the clothing on exhibit, she was drawn to a fitted sleeveless jacket known as “the Wales jacket.”
“She smiled broadly and asked, ‘Why would you call it that?'” Mr. McDowell recounted. “What an opportunity to joke with our future queen.”
Following her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year, Catherine has been increasing the frequency and prominence of her public appearances, which included her attendance at the event. She declared her illness to be in remission in January, and a month or so later, the Sunday Times of London reported that Kensington Palace will no longer be providing the press media with any information on her attire.
Conner Ives, an American designer based in London whose “Protect the Dolls” T-shirt has gone viral on social media in recent weeks, was among the other young designers the princess met at the awards event to display their creations. Mr. Ives was named the British Fashion Council’s 2025 winner on Tuesday.
Designers Richard Quinn, S.S. Daley, and Priya Ahluwalia have previously won the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design. Other prominent royals, such as Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and Princess Anne, have already presented it.
Introduced in 2018, Mr. McDowell’s eponymous business is renowned for its made-to-order evening and event clothing that is developed in London utilizing novel sustainable materials such as cellulose sequins and recycled fabrics. Famous lovers of the label include Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Keira Knightley.
