The intricate handiwork of a Johannesburg society milliner was showcased to the world at the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday when Queen Masenate Seeiso of Lesotho wore a fascinator he designed for the event.
Lyndon Pegs, who counts Prince Harry’s former love interest Chelsy Davy as his “longtime dear friend” and a fan of his work, was commissioned by Queen Masenate to make a royal blue percher fascinator with ivory feather cluster detail.
The queen is the wife of King Letsie III, whose brother Prince Seeiso founded the children’s charity Sentebale in Lesotho with Prince Harry.
King Charles, who became monarch of the UK and 14 other realms on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September, was crowned yesterday at Westminster Abbey in London.
For Pegs, the coronation was an opportunity to showcase his work at the event attended by 2,000 high-profile guests and watched by billions around the world.
“I created two pieces. One was for the Commonwealth luncheon on Friday. This is a dusty pink upturned brim hat with handmade feather flower detail,” Pegs told the Sunday Times. The other was the fascinator for the coronation ceremony.
He was referred to the Lesotho queen by a close friend.
“Having presented my work to her majesty, she requested me to make her pieces for the coronation events.”
Pegs has done work for royal family members in Africa and overseas.
“My work has been worn to state events globally, most recently King Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s coronation, state visit outfits of the Eswatini royal family and headwear for the amaHlubi king’s birthday celebration.”
He said he was commissioned a month ago to make the queen’s headpieces; each took up to two weeks because every detail is created by hand.
“I feel honoured to be afforded this opportunity as an African designer to be showcased alongside some of the world’s best designers and milliners.
“My pieces will form part of the fashion world’s history, and to be a small part of that is a career highlight as a milliner,” he said.
South Africa, which is part of the Commonwealth, was represented at the coronation by international relations & co-operation minister Naledi Pandor.
Her spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, said a gift was to be presented on behalf of the government.
South Africans were also swept up in coronation fever, with fans marking the event with lavish high teas, live watch parties, music and art.
Even Pigcasso, the famous painting porker, put her paintbrush to canvas to pay tribute to King Charles with her latest work, The Crown.
Pigcasso’s owner and curator of her work Joanne Lefson said the painting “showcases the British colours with a stroke of gold”.
“It’s well balanced, poised and fit for the king. Pigcasso likes King Charles because he advocates for climate action,” said Lefson, who founded Farm Sanctuary SA in Franschhoek where Pigcasso lives and paints.
The artwork, valued at R65,000, went on sale online yesterday and proceeds will benefit the sanctuary.
No royal affair is complete without Champagne and cucumber sandwiches.
Durban’s five-star Oyster Box hotel hosted a coronation day high tea with big screens for guests to watch the king being crowned.
Hotel spokesperson Joanne Hayes said the event was sold out; royal fans feasted on chicken yorkshire pudding, scotch eggs, prawn and salmon vol-au-vents and strawberry shortcake, among other delights.
The Silver Forest boutique hotel, spa and eatery in Somerset West, in the Western Cape, also threw a coronation party.
Owner Penny Rodenhurst, of Welsh decent, thought it would be fitting to pay tribute to King Charles with a high tea.
“Cape Town, and Somerset West in particular, have a large British community and the royals are a huge part of British tradition. Local patrons were excited to get together and celebrate,” said Rodenhurst.
Today the Cape Town Scottish Association will throw an afternoon garden party where men will wear kilts and women don their best hats.
John Williamson, who will host the event on the lawns of his Rondebosch home, said a formal welcome toast will be made to the king with Champagne, followed by guests singing the British national anthem and a high tea.
“The Scots are keenly aware of their history, traditions and culture — King Charles is a living embodiment of 2,000 continuous years of this history. He knows and feels his burden like his mother … We will support him. He is very much in touch with the real world,” said Williamson.
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