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A former seamstress to the Queen is now making dresses for our little Happy House “princesses”.
Margaret joined Hartnell’s when she was 15 and two years later rose to be a “hand” which meant she got her own garments to work on, instead of assisting someone else.
In the following few years she worked on outfits for the Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Princess Alexandra, plus other high-profile socialites of the day including, Lady Marks of Marks&Spencer and the wife of holiday camp magnate, Billy Butlin. |
| Sylvester, Chesco and Abdul |
When the first parcel of Margaret’s dresses and shorts arrived, there was no shortage of little girls and boys wanting to model them.
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| Ludwin and Farhida |
Amongst Margaret’s proud possessions is a clip from Picture Post, dated 1957, when, on a trip to Paris, the Queen wore a pencil slim dress Margaret had made. The first straight dress ever worn by the Queen for a royal occasion, it was described as “a triumph” with the comment “The silver laced dress worn by the Queen last night
caused gasps of surprise and then of admiration.”
It was worn again for the State Opening of Parliament later that year.
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| Mercy |
“Mum had to give up her charity work in hospice shops because of a hip problem. I introduced her to Happy House when I started sponsoring Mercy and she takes a keen interest in Mercy’s progress and of news from the Happy House..
“She wanted to help and making clothes is something she can do from the comfort of her own home. She’s got me sewing again too!”
A huge thank you to Margaret for putting her talents to good use for our children and to Dawn too.
Your love and support is truly appreciated.
