Kensington Palace has officially announced an upcoming solo engagement for the Princess of Wales, confirming that Catherine will embark on a special trip to Wales next week. The visit is designed to promote and celebrate the rich heritage, creativity, and skilled craftsmanship of the Welsh textile and fabric manufacturing sector.
A Passionate Advocate for British Textiles
In a recent statement, palace officials highlighted that the future Queen's visit aims to shine a spotlight on the unique skills and centuries-old traditions embedded within the British textile industry. This cause is one that the Princess holds particularly close to her heart, reflecting a deep-seated personal interest.
Family Ties to the Industry
Kate's advocacy is partly rooted in her family history. Her paternal ancestors were the proprietors of William Lupton & Co., a notable woollen manufacturer and merchant based in Leeds. This historical connection underscores her longstanding commitment to supporting the UK's cultural and creative voice through its textile heritage.
Building on a Series of Engagements
This Welsh outing continues a pattern of dedicated royal visits focused on the textile sector over the past year. The Princess has previously toured manufacturers in several regions, including:
- Carmarthenshire in Wales
- Suffolk and Kent in England
- County Tyrone in Northern Ireland
These engagements have consistently emphasised the importance of celebrating British creativity and the blend of traditional techniques with modern innovation.
Recent Hands-On Experience
Just last week, both the Princess and Prince William participated in a hands-on weaving session during a trip to Scotland. They visited Radical Weavers, a charity in Stirling that teaches traditional Scottish tartan-weaving skills. There, Kate took a seat at a traditional loom, adding approximately an inch and a half to what is hoped will become a record-breaking 3km-long tartan scarf.
Detailed Focus on Craftsmanship
In September of last year, Kate undertook back-to-back solo trips to textile factories in England. She toured the Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk, where she observed how historic archive patterns inspire contemporary designs and witnessed both traditional looms and state-of-the-art machinery in operation.
Following this, she travelled to Marina Mill in Cuxton, Kent, a smaller family business specialising in hand-designed and screen-printed fabrics. At this mill, the Princess donned an apron to actively participate in the fabric-making process, learning about drying and transfer techniques before getting hands-on to print her own fabric.
Palace officials have reiterated that these visits are fundamentally about "celebrating British creativity and craftsmanship" and highlighting the diverse skills that sustain the UK's thriving textile industry.
The upcoming trip to Wales represents a continued and focused effort by the Princess of Wales to champion an industry that combines historical significance with modern economic and cultural relevance.
