Philip Treacy (a Treacy quote which is often reproduced): Treacy had previously written a piece for "The Guardian" in May 2001 on what defines the "perfect hat". Treacy's hats are also associated with English royalty, with thirty–six worn at the 29 April 2011 Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, including the controversial fascinator style hat worn by Princess Beatrice of York. The so–called "pretzel hat" was auctioned for charity by Princess Beatrice on eBay for $130,000 (£80,100.01) on the 22 May 2011. Treacy felt the criticism regarding the "pretzel hat" was very extreme (the hat had its own Facebook page
Philip Treacy at the China Fashion Awards in Shanghai. In April 2006, he was awarded a Doctorate of Fine Arts, by the National University of Ireland at University College Dublin ("UCD"). He was awarded an honorary OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to the British fashion industry by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at a special ceremony in Clarence House in November 2007. Treacy designed the headdress worn by the Duchess of Cornwall for the couple's wedding. In July 2010 Treacy was one of six contemporary and internationally renowned Irish fashion designers honoured by a set of Irish