Hats off to Silent Witness star Emilia Fox, who is preparing for a day at the races with the help of royal milliner Rachel Trevor-Morgan. The 42-year-old actress is part of an incredible British acting dynasty but admits she's never owned a hat, and instead is counting on Rachel to capture her love of flowers into her outfit ready for the Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs.
“[Rachel's] hats are exceptionally beautiful, like works of art,” says Emilia, who is delighted to embrace her latest role as ambassador for this year's racing festival. Not just a keen rider, Emilia is also an avid gardener and so is overjoyed that her custom made hat will feature delicate floral designs. “Flowers are my passion.”
“I love horses and I love riding – it’s something I do with my little girl,” says Emilia of her six-year-old daughter Rose. “She’s a complete natural. We had a lesson the other day and they had me leading, then after five minutes they said, ‘We think it’s probably best if Rose leads now.’ So anything I have to do with horses gives me good cred with her.”
The daughter of actors Edward Fox and Joanna David, sister to Freddie Fox and cousin to Laurence Fox, Emilia has always been aware of the influence of family. It was her grandmother, Angela Fox, who instilled Emilia’s love of horses. “I have nostalgic memories of watching the races with her,” she says.
Having Rose, her daughter with former partner, actor and peace activist Jeremy Gilley,has also brought Emilia closer to her extended family. "Since having children, we’ve all come together a bit more and the bond is about family, not work. Laurence and I are super close and I have a huge closeness with my brother, who is a great bringer-together of people."
Read the full interview in your copy of HELLO!, on sale from 8 May.