{Who is Queen Camilla’s Dresser?}

With King Charles stepping back from public duties and the Princess of Wales still recuperating from surgery, Queen Camilla is taking on more public engagements.

Truthfully, I miss the Princess of Wales’ fashion but Queen Camilla is developing her Queenly style now. She has gone from a frumpy country housewife, wearing jeans & baggy sweatshirts (not that there is anything wrong with that) to the Queen of Dazzle.

So, who is dressing the Queen? Jacqui Meakin is the Queen’s Dresser. She has worked for the royal family for many years and was a favorite of the Queen Mother. After the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, Jacqui worked for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and then started working for Camilla. She is a confidante to the Queen and is credited with helping Camilla find her style…coat dresses with elongated waists, fabulous hats, classic pumps, and Chanel handbags.  Dior has become the designer de jour for Camilla.

With her icy blonde hair, Camilla looks great in shades of blue--royal, navy, or light blues.  The Princess of Wales also likes to wear these shades of blue so Ms. Meakin ruffles feathers among other Palace servants by asking what other royals (even the senior royals) are planning to wear—and enforcing the royal rule that Camilla’s preference comes first.

These are just a few of my favorite blue outfits worn by Queen Camilla. 

Afternoon Tea at The Chattaway

Yesterday I enjoyed an Afternoon Tea with several friends at The Chattaway Tearoom in Saint Petersburg, Florida.  Of course, I had to get a photograph with King Charles III while patting him on the shoulder and wishing him well!

The Chattaway was established in 1951. It is a family-owned and operated business started by Jillian Frers, originally from England. 

This tearoom offers a full English experience with delicious sandwiches (we liked the cucumber and shrimp salad the most), delicious scones & crumpets, desserts, and unlimited hot tea.

Afternoon tea is served Wednesday-Sunday, 12:30-4:00pm. Reservations are required and they take cash  only.

When you enter the tearoom you can feel the British vibes…

Delicious tea foods are served…

I have visited many, many tearooms but this is the first one that offered crumpets—with Irish butter. I am a crumpets girl and these were delish!

The room is decorated from top to bottom with Wedgwood Blue Jasperware.

Of course, there are numerous pieces from English landmarks…

Numerous objects celebrating the late Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee—I would have loved to attend their Afternoon Tea on that date!

I am giving this tearoom four silver spoons. The only reason I didn’t give it five is because for four people, we felt like there should have been more tiered tea food trays. You are required to choose your sandwiches in advance (which is okay), but when the tray was delivered, everyone was unsure which sandwich they ordered. So, there was a bit of confusion. Otherwise, the food and tea was excellent!

The Chattaway Tearoom is located at 358 22nd Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida. Call 727.823.1594 for reservations.