Princess Kate visited West Wales on Tuesday to immerse herself in the textile world. The first stop was Melin Tregwynt, a wool factory that has been in operation since 1841 and is located about 260 miles west of London. The factory employs over 40 local people who create blankets, scarves, and cushions that are sold worldwide.
Director Louise Clarke gave her a tour of the facility, demonstrating how they preserve traditional techniques by passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
Kate observed the entire process, from design to finished product, learned about the Welsh double-cloth fabric used to make reversible blankets with inverted patterns on each side, and even tried her hand at weaving.
The second stop of the day was at Hiut Denim, a more modern company that produces designer jeans. This place has a bit of a royal connection, as Meghan Markle famously wore their high-waisted Dina jeans during an official tour in Cardiff with Harry in January 2018, when they were still dating. That moment put Hiut on the global map and generated huge demand, which co-founder David Hieatt attributed to the “Meghan Markle effect.”
At Hiut, Kate was shown the manufacturing process and learned about their “Déjà Blue” initiative, which accepts old jeans for repair and resale in exchange for a discount on a new pair. A unique detail is that the artisans sign the inside of one of the pockets, allowing you to know who crafted your jeans.
Kate’s interest in textiles is no coincidence. It runs in the family. Her paternal ancestors owned William Lupton & Co, a wool company in Leeds.
Her great-grandfather, Noel Middleton, who married Olive Lupton in 1914, served as the company’s director. Lupton & Co was sold to AW Hainsworth in 1958, and Kate visited the factory in September 2023.
She also visited the Corgi factory in another part of Wales in January 2025, where she was shown how a company that began in 1892 selling socks to coal miners expanded into creating woven clothing.
Kate’s involvement in these visits goes beyond simply appearing in photos. Clarke, from Melin Tregwynt, noticed Kate had done some research before arriving, as she recognized specific designs.
“You could tell she really wanted to be here; it wasn’t just a box-checking exercise,” he said. And it makes sense. Kate has also visited factories in Scotland and England as part of the same mission to celebrate British craftsmanship.
The goal is to ensure the country continues to manufacture goods for the next 50 years. It’s a genuine commitment to preserving traditional crafts while embracing modern, sustainable techniques.