The Duchess of Cambridge, more popularly known as Kate Middleton, is set to embark on a royal outing that holds a special connection to her family’s history.
This journey is not just another royal duty; it is a trip down memory lane, connecting her to her father, Michael Middleton, and their shared ancestry.
According to Hello Magazine, the Princess of Wales will be traveling to Leeds and Lancaster in the upcoming week. One of the highlights of this trip will be her visit to the A.W. Hainsworth textile mill in Leeds.
This isn’t just any textile mill; it has a deep-rooted connection to Kate’s paternal ancestors.
Established in 1738, this family-owned mill witnessed a significant event in 1958 when the Princess’s great-great-grandfather sold William Lupton & Co. to A.W. Hainsworth.
Further weaving the family threads, Kate’s great-grandmother, Olive Lupton, married solicitor Noel Middleton in 1914. Noel later became a director of the textile mill. The couple had three sons, one of whom, Peter, was Michael Middleton’s father.
The textile mill’s history is not just limited to its connection with the Middleton family. It has been at the forefront of innovation and product development.
During her visit, Kate will get a chance to see the new state-of-the-art onsite laboratory that the company uses for cutting-edge innovation.
The mill supplies fabrics to a diverse range of clients, from fashion brands to the armed forces. It even produces woven felt for musical instruments and protective materials for emergency services and military personnel worldwide.
A testament to its quality and reputation, A.W. Hainsworth holds a royal warrant and had its fabrics displayed during the coronations of the late Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and King Charles earlier this year.
But who is Michael Middleton, the man at the heart of this story?
Born in Leeds on 23 June 1949, Michael Francis Middleton is the son of Valerie and Captain Peter Middleton.
His father, Captain Peter, even flew alongside the late Duke of Edinburgh during a two-month flying tour of South America in 1962. Michael’s journey from his education at Clifton College to meeting his future wife, Carole Middleton, and their life together, paints a picture of a grounded individual deeply connected to his roots.
In recent years, Michael and Carole Middleton have been in the limelight, especially with their daughter Kate’s marriage to Prince William. They are proud grandparents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Their family continues to grow, with their youngest son, James, expecting a child with his wife, Alizee Thevenet.