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With the Princess of Wales making two trips to textile mills this week, Kate has put her own stamp on the fashion world by championing British designers and fabrics, all while coming back to the faultless trend of plaid
The Princess of Waleses’ wardrobe is the envy of many around the world, and it seems there’s one trend she keeps coming back to time and time again – plaid.
While visiting Marina Mill in Kent and Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk to celebrate the British textiles industry earlier this week, she wore a striking trouser suit, thought to be by London-based designer Bella Freud, in a Prince of Wales check.
And it seems Kate has a particular affinity for British fabrics and patterns, in particular, tartan, checks, and plaid, with her often wearing them in pieces by quintessentially British brands such as Holland Cooper, Emilia Wickstead and Burberry as well as more affordable High Street choices such as Zara.
Kensington Palace said her trip to the textiles mills earlier this week was arranged as Kate has “long been passionate about the importance of the British textiles industry and its role as part of the UK’s cultural and creative voice”.
Textiles are also in the Middletons’ blood. Her great-great grandfather Noel Middleton was married to Olive Lupton – part of the Lupton family who owned William Lupton & Co – a textile mill in Leeds. But he sold it in 1958 to AW Hainsworth, which she then visited in 2023.
And for former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, wearing a plaid suit on this visit to the mills, as well as donning a variety of other checks and tartan on other engagements is no surprise.
She told the Mirror: “Of course she’s always been keen to promote the British fashion industry, which plays a significant part in the British economy. So she’s making a clear statement with her plaid suits and jackets. She also happens to look fabulous in them.
“They are chic, smart, and yet bring a country casual look to her. Of course she looks pretty damn gorgeous in anything! But these unfussy, elegant outfits look great on her – and send out a loud message about the importance of the British textile industry.
“She’s also quite an artistic woman and very keen on crafts. So I think she is genuinely interested in the manufacture and design of fabrics and thoroughly enjoys herself when she gets a close up look, or is even invited to have a go herself.”
In recent months, Kate has also visited textiles manufacturers in Lancaster and Wales, and is said to be keen to showcase the rich heritage of the British textile industry and celebrate the joy found in working in the creative industries.
And for Carly Whitewood, who has run Kate Middleton Style Blog since 2011, her interest in textiles goes hand in hand with her fashion role.
She explained: “While the mills are connected to Kate’s ancestry, I suspect there’s another reason behind these related visits. I think they are connected to her position as a global fashion icon and an ambassador for British fashion as a princess and a member of the Royal Family. From 2026, Kate will grant her own Royal Warrants.
“I think the ‘mill tour’ is part of Kate’s efforts to understand supply chains and promote British craftsmanship as she researches the brands and companies she wishes to endorse.
“I suspect she’ll grant Royal Warrants to some of the fabric producers, weavers and printers we’ve seen her visit, in addition to a few of her go-to designers, of course.” Here we take a look at some of her best plaid looks…