The stone inhabitants of London’s Trafalgar Square are sporting new hats created by some of the UK’s best-known milliners.

The headgear is part of “Hatwalk” – which sees 20 statues around London adorned with bespoke hats by British designers including Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy. It’s one of the “surprises” put on by the Mayor of London’s Summer Like No Other programme of events.

For Trafalgar Square’s most famous resident, Admiral Lord Nelson, it’s the first time he’s changed his hat in 200 years. Fittingly, his new look was created by Lock & Co, London’s oldest hatters (est. 1676), which made Nelson’s original bicorn hat. The London 2012 version features a union flag and the Olympic torch.

Nelson’s neighbours are also sporting fancy chapeaux: a Philip Treacy fascinator for British General Sir Henry Havelock and matching bling-encrusted crowns by Stephen Jones for King George IV and his horse, while Sir Charles Napier showcases the emerging talent of Sophie Beale, winner of Grazia magazine’s search to find a breakout new millinery star.

British milliner, Stephen Jones said, “I am thrilled to be able to showcase British millinery during the year of the Olympics in London.

“From a policeman’s helmet to Her Majesty the Queen’s floral fantasies, hats have come to symbolise Britain. It is fantastic that the Mayor’s office has enabled our most modern milliners to bring this legacy up-to-date with the most fantastical creations from our most daring milliners.”

Altogether 20 well-known statues from William Shakespeare to Winston Churchill are participating in Hatwalk, which was commissioned by the Mayor of London, in partnership with BT, Grazia magazine, the British Fashion Council and the London 2012 Festival.

Have you spotted any hats on statues in London?  Check out the hatwalk map at www.molpresents.com/hatwalk and let us know your favourite in the comments below.

We were told upon entering that this was a magical palace, and that the builders had turned it inside out, shaking out its stories and secrets with the dust.

Walking through Kensington Palace was like stepping into a fairytale. Each room has its own story and a theme, The Room of Enlightenment, The Room of Palace Time and so on. As you explore each room you’re encouraged to find the name of seven princesses that once lived in the palace.

The whole exhibition was, well, enchanting! Walking through a darkened room filled with sparkly, wonderful hats made by Stephen Jones, watching dancing shadows and rifling through shells, sketches and artefacts in The Room of the World, the World in a Room. My favourite room was The Room of a Sleeping Princess which contained a dress made of paper cranes.

Although beautiful, there’s something bittersweet about the Enchanted Palace. You get the sense that the princesses lived lonely and isolated lives. It’s also a little eerie, as I really felt I was wandering around in someone else’s home!

Photography isn’t allowed in the Enchanted Palace but I did get a quick snap of the Enchanted Palace afternoon tea which we enjoyed in The Orangery afterwards. Hopefully, you can make out the poster for the exhibition stamped on top of a chocolate ganache cake (delicious!)

Also, take a look at these pictures of beautiful Kensington Palace Gardens, which are free to wander round.

Enchanted Palace at Kensington Palace until 30 June 2012. Book tickets