The Princess of Wales has paid a visit to Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk, celebrating the craftsmanship of Britain’s textiles industry and meeting the people who keep its centuries-old traditions alive.
Catherine was welcomed by crowds of residents and schoolchildren who gathered outside the family-run business, which has been producing woven silk fabrics in the town for more than 300 years.
Warm Welcome in Sudbury
The princess spent longer in the town than expected, chatting with local people who had waited for hours to see her. Nine-year-old Eloise, who presented Catherine with flowers, described the encounter as “exciting.”
“I gave her the flowers and she said thank you,” Eloise said. “At first I felt nervous, and then I felt excited.”
Helen Piper-Windus and Jan Scott, both from Sudbury, had been waiting since 9am. “A little town like Sudbury — for us to have a visit from the princess is amazing,” Ms Piper-Windus said. Ms Scott added: “There are so many bad things going on in the world, it’s nice to have some respite and bring some joy into Suffolk.”
Engaged and Knowledgeable
Inside the mill, Catherine was shown how fabrics are designed and produced. Account manager Beth Humes, who guided her through the design process, said the princess showed a strong grasp of the subject.
“She’s got a really good understanding of textiles and the industry already,” Ms Humes said. “She really understood the fabric weights and constructions — it was an amazing point to start from.”
Managing director Julius Walters, the tenth generation of his family to run the mill, said the visit was “wonderful recognition” for both the company and the community. “It’s great to have the recognition for everybody here, but also for the local community who turned out in force today as well,” he said.
A Town Shaped by Silk
Sudbury has long been known as a centre for silk weaving. Penny Wilby, from The Best of Sudbury business group, said the industry had been central to the town’s identity for centuries.
“The silk industry has played a really important part in how Sudbury is now,” she explained. “Two hundred years ago when the silk mills moved from London up to Sudbury, it had a huge impact on the economy. You can still see it today in the architecture and in the prosperity of the town.”
Continuing the Day in Kent
After leaving Sudbury, the princess travelled to Kent to visit another family-run mill specialising in hand-designed and screen-printed furnishing fabrics. Kensington Palace said Catherine has “long been passionate” about the importance of British textiles, and her visits were intended to celebrate the unique skills and heritage of the industry.
Key Takeaway
Catherine’s visit to Sudbury Silk Mills highlighted both the enduring legacy of Britain’s textiles industry and the pride of a community shaped by silk weaving for centuries. For many residents, the royal visit brought a rare moment of celebration and joy to their market town.
