Princess of Wales visits Leeds textile mill with family connection

The mill has a special family connection to Catherine

The Princess of Wales has toured a textile mill in Leeds with a close connection to her family.

Catherine visited AW Hainsworth, a family-owned mill, which in 1958 bought her great-great grandfather's firm, William Lupton & Co.

AW Hainsworth made the scarlet tunics of the Guardsmen on duty during the coronations of both Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and the King in May.

Later the princess visited Standfast & Barracks in Lancaster.

The company supplies textiles to the Armed Forces and military personnel

AW Hainsworth supplies textiles to clients ranging from fashion and homeware brands to the Armed Forces.

It also produces woven felt for pianos and other musical instruments, and creates protective materials for emergency services and military personnel worldwide.

During the visit, the princess learnt about the manufacturing process of textiles

During the visit the princess met a number of the company's apprentices, alongside their mentors who are passing down their specialist knowledge of traditional machinery and techniques still in use today.

Catherine was also shown an on-site laboratory which the company is using for cutting-edge innovation and product development.

The princess went on to visit a printworks in Lancaster

Continuing the textiles theme to her day, the princess crossed the Pennines to visit Standfast & Barracks, a printworks dating back to 1924, in Lancaster.

The firm, now part of the Sanderson Design Group, is renowned for its textile design and employs around 160 staff to create 21 miles (35,000 metres) of printed fabrics each week.

Kate also met the founders of House of Hackney, a British interiors brand that champions print and craftsmanship