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05 Sept 2025

Katy Perry and Dame Emma Thompson lead fashionable arrivals to the coronation

Katy Perry and Dame Emma Thompson lead fashionable arrivals to the coronation

Celebrities including singer Katy Perry and actor Dame Emma Thompson championed British fashion at the King’s coronation service.

Singer Perry – who is performing at Sunday’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle – donned a bespoke lilac skirt suit by Vivienne Westwood.

The outfit was made from leatherette taken from the brand’s fabric archives and featured a purple silk flower corsage.

Perry paired the suit with a matching opera gloves, the Granny Frame Purse (retailing at £170) and Westwood’s signature pearl and diamond choker.

One of British fashion’s most influential figures, Westwood died on December 29, 2022, at age 81. She was known for her love of corsetry – which is reflected in Perry’s outfit – and was a vocal supporter of the King.

Perry was pictured arriving with British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, who wore a bespoke single-breasted morning suit by head cutter and creative director Campbell Carey from Savile Row tailoring house Huntsman.

Charles is a long-time fan of the craftsmanship of Savile Row tailors, who have helped make the red and gold military uniforms for coronation day.

Wearing a traditional morning suit with a dove grey tie, Hello singer Lionel Richie brought glamour with accessories from British brand Garrard, which was established in London in 1735.

The Fanfare Symphony Diamond and Mother of Pearl Cufflinks retail at £18,500, and he teamed them with the White Rose High Jewellery Diamond Brooch from the brand’s high jewellery collection, with price upon request.

Garrard has a long standing relationship with the royal family – the brand made Diana, Princess of Wales’ engagement ring – which is now worn by the Princess of Wales.

The jeweller has also been responsible for other important royal pieces – including Queen Victoria’s Small Diamond Crown and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, worn by Queen Elizabeth II in her accession photographs.

Other key pieces featured in the coronation – including the Imperial State Crown worn by Charles, and Queen Mary’s Crown worn by Camilla – were either created or significantly remodelled by Garrard, the jewellery house said in a statement.

Dame Emma Thompson was regal in red, wearing a red patterned coat emblazoned with roses – a nod to the national symbol of England. The coat was by London-based designer Emilia Wickstead.

The Princess of Wales often chooses Wickstead’s classic designs for royal engagements – last year one of her sartorial highlights was a pale yellow dress worn to the Service of Thanksgiving for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Dame Emma teamed the coat with a simple black knee-length dress.

Alexandra Wood from Alexandra Wood Bespoke, Savile Row’s first female tailor who designs and styles exclusively for men, told the PA news agency the look was “modest yet stylishly understated”.

Representing her country, First Lady of the United States Dr Jill Biden was in attendance with her granddaughter, Finnegan Biden.

Both were in monochromatic outfits: Dr Biden in a bright blue skirt suit with matching gloves and a delicate ribbon in her hair, and Finnegan opting for a pale yellow caped dress with a floral headpiece.

“These are super chic and representative of Ukraine colours, which is clever,” Wood said.

Both outfits are by American designers – Dr Biden was wearing heritage brand Ralph Lauren, and Finnegan was in New York-based brand Markarian.

Crown Princess of Greece Marie-Chantal wore a pale cornflower blue crepe dress with asymmetric bow detailing on the shoulder.

The outfit was midi length, with fitted sleeves and was worn with a matching hat, from Greek designer Mary Katrantzou who is based in the UK and regularly shows at London Fashion Week.

It was the second outfit Marie-Chantal wore by Katrantzou – she donned a white dress from the designer at the Buckingham Palace dinner on Friday night.

Dame Joanna Lumley wore a nautical-style navy blue coat dress with white lapels, gloves and a hat.

The mod-style shift coat could be seen as a nod to the late designer Mary Quant’s signature Sixties style.

Former Spice Girls singer Mel B wore a green gown with a jewelled neckline from American label Badgley Mischka, which is particularly known for its bridalwear and red carpet outfits.

Wood said TV presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were “looking fantastic, respecting the traditional morning dress code”.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wore a “sharp bright blue business suit”, Wood said, as one of the men choosing a different style than the traditional morning suit.

“I think there’ll be a divide between the two all day, which is fascinating,” Wood added of the men’s outfit choices.

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska opted against a fascinator or hat for the occasion, instead wearing a midi-length pale blue coat with a simple matching dress underneath.

South African soprano Pretty Yende performed inside Westminster Abbey for the coronation, wearing a sunshine yellow gown by French fashion house Stephane Rolland.

With statement shoulders and long sleeves, the dress was set off by a stunning yellow and white diamond necklace and matching earrings from Graff, featuring over 138 carats.

For the dress code, women were asked to wear day dresses, with hats and fascinators optional, while for men morning coats, lounge suits and uniforms were acceptable.

Both sexes can wear national dress and decorations such as an insignia for an MBE or knighthood.

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