Martin hoping for an Ascot hat trick

ROYAL Ascot’s most colourful purveyor of top hats, Martin Ellis Jones, hopes this week’s meeting will get his trade back on course.

‘The pandemic derailed my business — it’s been horrific,’ he tells me. ‘I’ve been out of work for two years, but this week I’ve opened a new shop in Andaz London Hotel, Liverpool Street. I hope it will save my business.’

He runs Hetherington Hats — a favourite of pop superstar Adele — with titfers starting at £3,500. Adds Ellis Jones: ‘Last year I sold one to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman.’

Given the prince’s controversial reputation, I’m not sure he’s the best advertisement for the business . . .