Stylist to the stars on Prince William's unexpected Christmas present list

06 January 2024 , 12:57

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The royals are said to be 'funny about their Christmas presents' (Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

As a highly sought after celebrity stylist, Dean Aslett has helped dress some of the most famous people on the planet, from the Beckhams to screen icons such as Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley.

Amid the various legends of music and cinema, Dean - who is often referred to as Mr Safety Pin - has also lent his expertise to members of the British Royal family, and has even helped Prince William get his unexpected Christmas shopping list sorted.

The fashion expert, whose star-studded list of clients boasts the likes of Duran Duran, Elton John, and 'ultimate diva' Joan Collins, has vivid memories of assisting the late Princess Diana with a new gown, and claims that she and son William were very different indeed in terms of personality.

Prince William reportedly made a rather unexpected purchase for his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Dean recalls that William wasn't quite as 'friendly' as his mother, Princess Diana (PA)

During an interview with the Mail Online, Dean recounted being on his hands and knees at Kensington Palace, adjusting Diana's skirts. He recalled: "That was a moment. She'd been in her jogging bottoms when I arrived but put the dress on and I was checking the length. I needed her to put these strappy shoes on so I said: 'Just lean on my back', so she did, for balance. Odd where you end up, in life."

Many years later, circa 2005, Dean had another brush with royalty while employed as head of personal shopping at Selfridges, this time using his customer expertise to help Prince William with his Christmas shopping. Dean revealed: "I'd take him round so he could do his Christmas shopping. I'd get a call from Special Branch, then meet him in the car park and bring him in through the back entrance. He was nothing like his mother, not as friendly and much more serious - an old head in young clothes, really."

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Although many would imagine a royal shopping basket to be filled with priceless jewellery and luxury champagne, this was apparantly far from the reality, in Dean's experience. He explained: "The royals are funny about their Christmas presents. There was nothing bling about them, and nothing was very expensive. I can't say too much but it was mostly CDs and DVDs, things you'd buy yourself. I do remember one year he bought his grandmother, the Queen, a box set of Dr Who. The Doctor was Christopher Eccleston then."

Julia Banim