Carole Middleton has changed her mind about the £400 hat specially commissioned for the royal wedding. Photo: PA
Following the news she changed her mind about her £4,500 dress for the royal wedding, Carole Middleton has now also ditched the £400 hat specially commissioned for the big day.
The decision has left milliner Jess Collet 'gutted' that weeks of work will go to waste.
The dark blue hat with a double brim was made in conjunction with the original dress by Lindka Cierach that Carole recently dropped.
Miss Collet told the Daily Mail: "She is not wearing the hat. It's gutting. Carole hasn't contacted me directly. I work closely with Lindka and I was only told through her what was happening.
"It normally takes several weeks to make a hat. But Carole never picked up the hat. It's a shame, because it is beautiful. Six hats of mine in total will be going to the wedding."
Mrs Middleton is now said to be keen to wear a hat by Wiltshire milliner Vivien Sheriff, who is creating hats for several wedding guests, including Kate's sister Pippa and Prince Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
Miss Sheriff said: "We have done something for Carole, too, but I won't know until the day if she will choose to wear it."
Carole, meanwhile, has been seen buying a handful of designer frocks from an independent boutique in Hampshire whose owner has been invited to the wedding.
Carole and her husband Michael were spotted in Moda Rosa in Alresford, near Winchester and are said to have discussed dresses with manager Rosie Barton-Wild.
It seems Carole is nearly as keen as Kate to keep her dress for the big day a surprise.