Royal milliner Philip Treacy feared he would see his 'head on a spike' after backlash over Princess Beatrice’s infamous hat

Hat maker Philip Treacy – who designed Princess Beatrice‘s unusual 2011 royal wedding headgear – feared the backlash would see his ‘head on a spike’.

The Irish designer made the confession on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs on Sunday when discussing the ‘pretzel’ hat which promptly sold for £81,100.01 after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials.

“There was a moment where I thought I would find myself with my head on a spike outside the Tower of London,” he joked to presenter Kirsty Young. “But it was a very modern hat and modernity is always unusual things.”

But the 51-year-old is no stranger to high-profile clientele, as he has also worked with the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga and Grace Jones in recent years.

Treacy rose to fame after being mentored alongside designer Alexander McQueen by fashion muse Isabella Blow. However, he credits his father for his success.

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During the interview, Treacy recalled making clothes for dolls as a child.

“I have come from a very humble background, I have made hats for kings and queens,” he said. “One of the strongest memories I have is being in somebody’s house and my father’s friend saying ‘don’t you think that’s a little odd, don’t you think it’s a bit strange this child is doing this?’

“And I remember distinctly my father saying: ‘Whatever makes him happy.’ It moves me still.”

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