A FIRM which supplies gowns for special occasions is celebrating after receiving orders for a mystery client at Buckingham Palace.

Verb Dresses, which last week opened a store in Bedale, North Yorkshire and has another in Eldon Gardens, Newcastle, has sent four dresses to the palace after royal aides phoned the retailer “completely out of the blue”.

The gowns include the Hepburn, a sleeveless dress with a corset back and a £220 price tag; the Enchant, a teal soft chiffon dress at £205; the Soir, a satin evening dress at £195; and the Winslet, another chiffon gown at £195.

Diane Parkin, managing director of the firm which is set to mark its tenth anniversary, said: “The press office for Buckingham Palace always handles the transactions and, in its customary, discreet and confidential manner, declined to reveal to us the identity of the gown’s wearer.

“But, curiosity aside, we’re still thrilled to be delivering our dresses to this country’s most famous royal home.”