It's cool Kate! Princess of Wales gives sweet nod to William in trendy fitted suit while Harry continues his pseudo-royal tour.
The Princess of Wales showed off her crafty side as she got into making prints while visiting textile factories this afternoon.
The royal, 43, put Britain's creative industry in the spotlight with a visit to a family-run weaving firm that has been creating jacquard fabrics for more than 300 years - before making her way to another manufacturer in Kent.
And never one to shy away from getting stuck in, Kate got to work at the Marina Mill in Cuxton by pushing coloured dyes through an engraved silk-screen using a squeegee.
With an apron at hand and her hair tied up, the mother-of-three was careful as she followed instructions, delighting in the new skill.
Established in 1967, the production, based near the Medway River, is known for its 'artisan craftsmanship'.
Kate there also spend time with Design Director Tandine Rawkins's free-hand sketch work, and marvelled at her pieces, praising the 'artistry' of the industry.
'It's nice to know that you work well together,' she could be heard saying during the visit. 'It's so lovely to see all these businesses, like yourselves, really thriving here in the UK.'
'It did take them sixty years to thrive,' one joked in reply, which had the royal in stitches.
The Princess had kicked her day off with a tour of Sudbury Silk Mills, a Suffolk-based firm employing more than 100 staff.
It produces cloth for top fashion houses, interior designers, and heritage institutions.
She look at the design studio, where she was shown how historic archive patterns inspire modern designs, before moving onto the weaving floor to see traditional looms and state-of-the-art machinery in action.
She was welcomed by Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, William and Kate's former private secretary and top aide, now Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk.
Staff said the Princess spent time speaking with everyone she met, sharing words of encouragement and praising the skill involved in producing such high-quality fabrics.
Steven Harris, head of production, recalled the Princess spotting a detail on a piece of fabric and saying, 'You've got the job.' She added: 'You've got to have an eye for detail,' highlighting the precision and care required in the craft.
During the visit, she spoke with account manager Beth Humes, 35, emphasising that artisan skills are 'still vitally important' and describing the 'Made in the UK' hallmark as a global symbol of excellence.
She also met designers Mae Littleton, 30, and Lucy Spendlove, 28, praising their work as 'magical and wonderful' as she watched sketches and patterns transformed into finished fabrics.
Textiles are a personal passion for the Princess, whose paternal ancestors once owned William Lupton & Co, a woollen manufacturer in Leeds.
Palace aides noted her long-standing commitment to the sector and its cultural importance, pointing out that she has previously visited mills in Leeds, Lancaster, and South Wales to champion British craftsmanship.
Palace officials said the day was about 'celebrating British creativity and craftsmanship' and highlighting the skills that keep the UK's textile industry thriving, from centuries-old weaving techniques to modern design innovation.
Before she left she collected flowers from local school children who had waited to see her. The Princess asked, 'What's it like to go back to school?'
Tilly Chapel, nine, said, 'It was amazing to meet her. My family will be so jealous. I told her it was great to be back at school.'
Elsewhere, another nine-year-old, Arthur Gilligan, added: 'I was really excited I never thought I'd meet a royal person.'
It's not the first time the royal has shown an interest in the world of textiles, having visited a South Wales manufacturer earlier this year and going to chat to factories in Leeds and Lancaster in 2023.
Today, the Princess was the image of elegance in a fitted £1,370 suit as she made the visits - as her brother-in-law Prince Harry is today set to leave the UK following a landmark meeting with King Charles; their first in 19 months.
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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