Catherine toured textile manufacturers across West Wales today, highlighting the region’s rich heritage in craftsmanship and creativity.
The royal visit aimed to draw attention to distinctive skills and traditions within Britain’s textile sector, whilst showcasing how these industries continue to nurture emerging talent.
Catherine has maintained a longstanding interest in British textile production and its contribution to the nation’s cultural identity.
Her connection to the industry runs deep through her father’s side of the family, whose ancestors owned William Lupton & Co, a Leeds-based wool merchant and manufacturing business.
Catherine toured textile manufacturers across West Wales today, highlighting the region’s rich heritage in craftsmanship and creativity.
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This latest engagement follows recent visits to textile producers across the UK, including a tartan-weaving studio in Stirling during January and trips to manufacturers in Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent and County Tyrone throughout 2025.
The Princess of Wales’s first stop was Melin Tregwynt, a woollen mill nestled in a secluded wooded valley along the Pembrokeshire coastline.
This historic operation has produced traditional Welsh designs continuously since at least 1841 and currently provides employment for more than 40 local residents.
The mill specialises in blending heritage patterns with contemporary colour palettes and innovative design approaches, creating blankets, scarves and cushions exported worldwide.
The royal’s engagement reflects her belief that Britain’s textile industry represents a vital component of the nation’s creative and cultural voice.
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Catherine met director Louise Clarke to discuss how the business preserves artisan skills through mentorship programmes, with experienced staff guiding young apprentices.
`She observed weavers demonstrating Welsh double cloth techniques, a traditional method producing reversible, thick blankets featuring inverted patterns on opposite sides.
The tour will trace blanket production from initial design through to completion, including cutting, sewing and finishing stages.
The second destination on the itinerary is Hiut Denim, a family-run enterprise in Cardigan that designs and produces premium jeans entirely within Britain.
Catherine has maintained a longstanding interest in British textile production and its contribution to the nation’s cultural identity.
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The town’s association with denim stretches back to the 1960s, when a local factory employed over 400 skilled workers producing 35,000 pairs weekly.
Following the relocation of manufacturing overseas in 2002, this expertise lay dormant until Hiut launched in 2011 with the aim of reviving local craftsmanship and training fresh talent.
Environmental responsibility forms a central pillar of the company’s ethos, with lifetime free repairs offered on all products.
Their Déjà Blue programme accepts returned jeans from customers, which are then restored and resold.
Catherine met chief executive Johann Von Loeper to learn about the firm’s commitment to responsible growth whilst remaining anchored in Cardigan.
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Catherine met chief executive Johann Von Loeper to learn about the firm’s commitment to responsible growth whilst remaining anchored in Cardigan.
The Princess of Wales followed the complete jeans production process, meeting teams responsible for design, cutting and assembly work.
She will also spend time with four trainees who embody the future of British denim craftsmanship.
The visit underscores a broader commitment to demonstrating that exceptional artisan skills and thoughtful design can flourish domestically.
Both Melin Tregwynt and Hiut Denim share a dedication to passing knowledge between generations, ensuring traditional techniques endure rather than disappear.
By spotlighting these Welsh manufacturers, the royal visit celebrates businesses that have chosen to invest in local communities and preserve specialist skills for decades to come.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.gbnews.com ’
