The Duchess of Gloucester has tried her hand at wig-knotting during a royal visit to Hereford.
She visited The Little Princess Trust in Hereford on Monday (July 13), which helps more than 2,000 young people experiencing hair loss every year by providing them with a free, real hair wig.
During the visit on Monday, the Duchess, who arrived by helicopter, was guided through the wig-making process by skilled knotters Caroline Shallow and Kimberley Hamlett, who explained how each wig can take up to 60 hours to complete.
Wendy Colbert and Mary Baynham told The Duchess how they have supported The Little Princess Trust in volunteering roles (Image: Gabriella Karney Photography)
She was invited to join in by knotting a strand of hair—donated by supporters—into a wig cap using a drawing mat and hook.
Wendy Tarplee-Morris, co-founder of The Little Princess Trust, said: “We were delighted to welcome The Duchess of Gloucester and to show Her Royal Highness how the selfless acts from so many supporters and volunteers ensures we can help thousands of children and young people.”
Wendy Tarplee-Morris thanks The Duchess of Gloucester for visiting the Hereford charity (Image: Gabriella Karney Photography)
As part of its service, the charity also covers the cost of cutting and styling each wig it provides to recipients up to the age of 24.
Wig stylist Liz Pullar demonstrated to The Duchess how the wigs are prepared in a range of styles to suit the individual needs of children.
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester meets trustees Tim Wheeler, Simon Tarplee, Tim Lowe, Caroline Shallow, Richard Wells at the Little Princess Trust in Hereford (Image: Gabriella Karney Photography)
The trust was established in 2005 in memory of Hannah Tarplee, and both of her parents—Simon Tarplee and Wendy Tarplee-Morris—remain actively involved in its work.
During the visit, Mr Tarplee spoke with The Duchess about the charity’s expanded mission to fund childhood cancer research.
To date, the organisation has supported 165 scientific projects, making it one of the largest funders of paediatric research in the UK.
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Kimberley Hamlett invited the Duchess of Gloucester to knot a wig (Image: Gabriella Karney Photography)
Mrs Tarplee-Morris also spoke about the essential role of the Hereford community and long-serving volunteers in the charity’s success.
The Duchess met volunteers Di Butler, Jane Broome, Wendy Colbert, and Mary Baynham, who help assemble hair donation packs and sort each contribution before it reaches the knotters.
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester tries wig-knotting at The Little Princess Trust (Image: Gabriella Karney Photography)
Mrs Tarplee-Morris thanked Her Royal Highness for her visit and invited her to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.
She said: “Our free wig service and our funding of childhood cancer research can only happen thanks to the efforts from so many people, and it is wonderful to see this recognised and appreciated by Her Royal Highness.”
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