Platforms, perchers and hatinators bring touch of Ascot to the Abbey

With more than two billion people watching the occasion, Westminster Abbey was the setting for a grand display of stunning outfits in a rainbow of colours, with a bobbing sea of some of the most unusual hats ever seen in one gathering.

Singer turned fashion guru Victoria Beckham chose one of her own designs in an inky dark blue, just a little something she ran up from her upcoming autumn/winter collection, unveiled at New York Fashion Week last February.

It was accessorised with an oval-shaped hat by celebrated milliner Philip Treacy, who provided dozens of one-off designs for the occasion, each one more unusual and daring than the next.

Mrs Beckham also collaborated with Christian Louboutin to customise a pair of the French designer’s desirable shoes – although some felt that six-inch platforms might not be advisable for a woman pregnant with her fourth child.

Husband David meanwhile chose to wear a Ralph Lauren morning suit with a high collar and his OBE pinned to his lapel, alas not the side that protocol advises, but a brave show nonetheless.

His retro 1950s-style slicked-back hairstyle, reminiscent of Don Draper of TV’s Mad Men, attracted much admiration and comment.

After the wedding, the couple said: “Today’s ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt. Catherine looked wonderfully elegant and we were honoured to be part of such a special, historical day for our country.

“We wish Catherine and William much love and happiness for the future.”

Like other guests the Beckhams will be contributing to the couple’s wedding charity rather than offering a gift.

Prince Harry’s on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy looked young and fashionable in a reasonably low-key Alberta Ferretti aqua green satin skirt and jacket, which was slightly off-the-shoulder with bow detail at the back.

She teamed it with a small beige disc-style hat with netting and carried a fashionably nude-toned clutch bag.

Socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, friend of the Royal Family, drew gasps with her bold choice of a sculptural kingfisher blue dress with matching blue gloves, shoes, clutch and an even more quirkily shaped hat by Philip Treacy. The 39-year-old, with her hair in an elegant but severe chignon, treated the crowd to a regal wave.

Commons Speaker John Bercow and his wife Sally were also early recruits to the fashion parade.

He wore a dark morning suit while his wife towered over him in heels, wearing a black lace-effect dress with a daringly plunging neckline, all topped off with disc-style hat in a style that was also chosen by many other guests and has now been dubbed the “hatinator” – a cross between a hat and a fascinator.

Elton John and partner David Furnish, meanwhile, both opted for decorous morning suits, a far cry from Elton’s trademark sartorial flamboyance.

Sir Elton, a friend of William’s mother, wore a purple tie and ivory waistcoat, while Furnish chose a dark grey tie and light-grey waistcoat.

Many of the hats worn at the wedding were created by Get Ahead Hats, the co-operative of hat-making farmers’ wives, which began life in North Yorkshire and often supplies the Middletons with headgear, It sent 35 hats down to London, including one worn by Liz Middleton, cousin of Kate’s father.

“The most interesting thing is the fact that Kate’s favourite, the percher, proved so popular,” said Samantha Abbey, of the Long Marston branch.

“These hats are easy to wear and show both the face and the hairstyle clearly.

“It has been more like Ascot than a wedding and I’m sure it will provide fashion inspiration for anyone attending a wedding this summer.”