A MILLINER who created flamboyant hats for the royals – working in the trade for more than 75 years – has died at the age of 92.

John Boyd MBE, who was born in Edinburgh as the youngest of seven siblings, died at his home in Roedean, on February 20.

John left school when he was just 15 and went on to work at the North British Rubber Company in his home town.

He decided this was not the career for him and moved to London to chase his dream career in the big city.

He first trained as a hatmaker during an apprenticeship with Danish royal milliner Aage Thaarup, who was one of the most well-known London hatmakers at the time and the official milliner for Queen Elizabeth II.

His quality training set John on a path of success, with him later designing hats, known for their size and striking appearance, for Diana, Princess of Wales and Princess Anne.

John helped to make Diana a fashion icon of the modern world with his creations.

He more recently lent his services to the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Maureen Chowen, the High Sheriff of East Sussex.

His apprenticeship was interrupted by the Second World War when he was conscripted in 1943, spending three years in the Royal Navy.

During his service he took part in the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy before his time in the forces was brought to an end in 1946.

After heading back to London, he started his first millinery shop in a London basement, before eventually going on to open his shop in Beauchamp Place, near Harrods, which is where he created some of his most memorable hats.

He set up his first business using money he had from his wartime gratuity.

He went on to become one of the longest-serving and most well-respected milliners in the world.

As well as creating a number of hats for the Princess of Wales, John also made hats for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and other women in the upper echelons of society.

John was awarded an MBE in the 2014 Birthday Honours list for his dedicated service to the fashion industry.

He hosted an annual hat show at The Berkeley Dress Show, fundraising for a different charity each year.

John was also involved in a number of other charity events over the years, including designing masks for The Animal Ball in 2013, which raised money for the Elephant Family, which works to save elephants from extinction.

He continued with the craft he loved until he was 90, before leaving his famous shop in the hands of his protégé Sarah Marshall.

John is survived by his nephews and nieces. He never married and all his siblings predeceased him.