Princess of Wales visits family-run silk mill

Catherine, Princess of Wales, delighted residents in Sudbury during her visit

Catherine, Princess of Wales, has visited a silk mill to celebrate the British textiles industry.

The princess visited Sudbury Silk Mills in Suffolk and was welcomed by residents and schoolchildren hoping to get a glimpse of her.

The family-run business has been operating in the town for more than 300 years, producing woven silk fabrics.

Julius Walters, managing director and the 10th generation of his family to lead the business, said the visit was great recognition for the company and the town.

Julius Walters is the 10th generation in his family to run Sudbury Silk Mills

"It's been a wonderful day," he said.

"It's great to have the recognition for everybody here, but also for the local community who turned out in force today as well.

"[Catherine] was wonderful. She was really engaged and knowledgeable about the industry."

Beth Humes showed the princess around the factory

Account manager Beth Humes led Catherine through the design part of the process, explaining how they developed their fabric collections.

"She's got a really good understanding of textiles and the industry already," Ms Humes said.

"She was really interested in how we go about things and really understood the fabric weights and constructions... it was an amazing point to start from."

The princess met local people in Sudbury

Kensington Palace said the princess had "long been passionate" about the importance of the British textiles industry and the visit celebrated its "unique skill".

She stayed in Sudbury longer than had been expected and took time to speak to people who had waited outside.

Later she travelled to Kent to visit another family-run mill that specialises in hand designing and screen printing furnishing fabrics.

Children were allowed time out from class to see Catherine

Eloise spoke to the princess outside the silk factory

Nine-year-old Eloise was one of those waiting to meet Catherine, and she gave the princess flowers.

"I gave her the flowers and she said thank you, and the flowers were really nice," Eloise explained.

"[It was] exciting. At first I felt nervous, and then I felt excited."

Jan Scott (left) and Helen Piper-Windus made sure they were out early for the princess

Helen Piper-Windus and Jan Scott, who both live in Sudbury, had been waiting since 09:00 BST to see Catherine before she arrived at about 11:00 BST.

"We've been waiting a long time... [we had a] spot right at the front and we got some photos," Ms Piper-Windus said.

"A little town like Sudbury, for us to have a visit from the princess is amazing."

Ms Scott added: "We don't often get exciting events happening in Sudbury.

"We were very fortunate... it's really great and it brings out everybody.

"There are so many bad things going on in the world, it's nice to have some respite from it and bring some joy into Suffolk."

Reggie the dog enjoyed his meeting with the princess alongside owner Dorothy Wallis

Dorothy Wallis, who attended with her dog Reggie, got a chance to shake the princess's hand.

"She was beautiful, more beautiful than you can imagine," Ms Wallis said.

"It was quite a moment... I thanked her for coming over and she said, 'No – thank you for coming'."

Penny Wilby said the town's silk industry had played an important role over the years

Penny Wilby is from The Best of Sudbury, which helps support local businesses.

"The silk industry has played a really important part in how Sudbury is now," she said after the royal visit.

"Two hundred years ago when the silk mills moved from London up to Sudbury, that had a huge impact on the economy.

"If you're wandering around Sudbury you can see the impact in the architecture of the buildings, but also the impact of having that extra money in the economy has created what the town is today."

Catherine's visit drew crowds outside Sudbury Silk Mills