National Lottery winner wears bespoke hat at Royal Ascot to celebrate win

Debbie Goolding, from Aldershot, won £1 million on a scratchcard during the Covid-19 pandemic and marked the occasion at Ladies Day with a “fingers crossed” headpiece.

The hat was designed as a symbol of hope and a reminder of her winning moment.

Ms Goolding said: “I’ve always been an optimistic person and believed it could be me, but it was still a huge shock to win £1 million on a scratchcard.

“I called the National Lottery’s phone line twice to double check it was actually real before I started spending.

“My win showed me that amazing things really can happen when you least expect them and that’s what this headpiece celebrates – hope, possibility and believing in good fortune.

“For me it’s all about that moment of crossing my fingers and believing it could happen.”

She was inspired to wear the hat during Ladies Day at Royal Ascot as an early celebration of the anniversary of her win on July 5, 2020.

Debbie Goolding, National Lottery winner, wearing a bespoke crossed fingers hat to Royal Ascot Ladies Day, inspired by her win. (Image: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments)

The headpiece was created by milliner Barnaby Horn, with floral details representing Ms Goolding’s 20-year career as a florist and silver accents in honour of the platinum eternity ring she bought with her husband Joseph the day after her win.

Mr Horn said: “From the beginning, this was about Debbie, her experience, her outlook, and that sense of optimism she carried with her.

“The crossed fingers concept came naturally through her story, and it was a joy to develop it together across the fittings.

“I wanted the final piece to feel refined and expressive, but most importantly, true to Debbie.

“It was ultimately a celebration of hope and possibility, told through her story of winning The National Lottery.”

The Aldershot mum-of-four has held onto the £1 coin she used to scratch the winning card, calling it a lucky charm.

She bought the scratchcard while picking up a birthday card for a friend during the pandemic.

Known for his sculptural, story-led headwear, Mr Horn refined the design with Ms Goolding over three private fittings, making sure the hat captured her journey.

Ms Goolding’s appearance at Royal Ascot continued the tradition of National Lottery winners becoming symbols of good fortune within their communities.