Princess Kate to shine spotlight on British Textiles this Thursday

The Princess of Wales is set to roll up her sleeves this Thursday as she champions Britain’s textile craftsmanship with visits to Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk and Marina Mill in Cuxton, Kent.

With roots in wool manufacturing dating back to her family’s connection to Leeds-based William Lupton & Co. this warm embrace of the industry is both personal and purposeful

First up on her itinerary is Sudbury Silk Mills, a storied jacquard weaving operation, where she’s expected to admire the skill behind intricate looms. 

Later, at Marina Mill, Kate will dive into screen printing pressing dyes through engraved silk screens to help design furnishings fabric.

These visits continue her advocacy for British creativity and craftsmanship, an interest she’s pursued before. 

In January, Kate made a surprise stop at Corgi’s knitwear factory in South Wales, trying her hand at cashmere sock-making and praising the value of "well-made, reusable" clothing

Backing from royal warrant holders has also featured prominently in her textile engagements. In September 2023, Kate toured AW Hainsworth in Leeds owned by a mill that bought out her great grandfather’s company in 1958. 

There, she delighted in feeling merino yarn, discussed the carding process for Guards’ uniforms, and observed how tradition meets modernity in fabric production.