Kate Middleton wore the 2025 version of this permanent autumn printing
The princess has always been enthusiastic about the importance of the British textile industry and her role as part of the UK’s cultural and creative voice. The ancestors of the princess were parental owners of the manufacturer and the Sufi merchant, William Lopeton and Partners, which were based in Leeds.
In January 2025, she visited His Royal Highness Corgi, a textile manufacturer in southern Wales, focusing on the production of socks and knitted clothes. In September 2023, Princess visited the textiles in Leeds and Lencaster, where she learned more about the heritage, history and innovation of industry, the relevant technical processes and the importance of the sector in the British economy.
Sodburi, England – September 11: Catherine, Princess Wales visits Sodburi Cellak Mills on September 11, 2025 in Sodburi, England. Princess Wales is visiting Mills in Sudburi and Coxson today as she celebrates British and craftsmanship. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Wireless)Samir Hussein
Her first visit saw her employees at Sudbury Silk Mills, which weaves fabrics for three exclusive companies; Stephen Walters, David Walters, and Humphrez weave. Using more than a hundred people, they combine the design of traditional craftsmen with weaving with the latest advanced technologies to produce exceptional quality fabrics. There are more than 40 artistic cases waving on the horizon in the factory, which results in a wide range of fabrics, all woven on demand to request the role of leading fashion, interior designers and heritage institutions.
Sudbury Silk Mills focuses greatly on its people and the local community, and is proud to generate job opportunities for the local population in roles with training and development in the long term, allowing them to develop their skills and knowledge. During her visit, Kate Middleton spent a time with the design team and monitoring the creative process, from using Sudburi archives to inspire her to draw by hand designs that will be used in future fabric creations. Then His Royal Highness went to the textile hall to meet the members of the production team, hear about their work and offered to wave the horizon on the fabric, before monitoring the process of quality control and the final inspection of the final woven fabric.