Kate Middleton returned to South Wales this afternoon. The Princess of Wales spent time with children at a hospice before visiting Corgi, a textiles manufacturer that produces socks and knitwear.
STYLE NOTES: Kate keeps in chic in monochrome dress from the high street
The Princess brought back an old favourite for her visit to Wales today, a houndstooth dress from Zara. She’s worn it a bunch of times before…. She paired it with ‘blade’ heels & jewellery from a Welsh-owned brand.
The Princess began her afternoon of engagements at Tŷ Hafan in Sully, in the Vale of Glamorgan (near Cardiff).
The hospice opened its doors in 1999 and was the first of its kind for children in Wales.
Tŷ Hafan provides free care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families, both within the hospice and in homes and communities.
Tŷ Hafan’s ambition is that no family should have to live their child’s short life alone and the charity is determined to walk alongside every family who needs their support every step of the way – through life, death and beyond.
The Princess took part in a musical ‘stay and play’ session, where she spoke with 3-year-old Dani-Rae. She asked the youngster “what do you like doing here? Are you having a good time? Are you singing songs?
Today it was announced that Kensington Palace have donated musical instruments to the hospice.
Kate also got stuck into a crafting session at the hospice, creating hand prints with the children for a display.
The Princess joined 4-year-old Maggie whose 12-year-old brother Felix has a rare condition that has left him profoundly disabled. Kate asked the little girl if the painting tickled.
The Princess then helped the youngster create her print:
Then it was her turn to make a print. Maggie’s sister Lottie, 10, painted Kate’s palm:
After the princess stamped her hand on the paper, she added her signature:
A closer look:
She remarked how ‘huge’ her hand looked next to Maggie’s.
The Princess’s visit coincided with an announcement from the palace. Kate has taken on the hospice as a patronage.
Later, the Princess visited Corgi, a textile manufacturer in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. The company focuses on the production of socks and knitwear.
Corgi was founded in 1892 when it made and supplied socks to miners in the nearby Amman Valley.
In the 1960s, the company added knitwear to its range of products and started to export internationally.
Corgi remains a family run business, with the great great grandchildren of the founder overseeing its growth today, having joined the company in the 1990s.
Since then, the company has invested in new machinery, worked with a number of leading brands, expanded its exports and developed a successful online retail presence.
When Kate arrived at the factory, she conducted an impromptu walkabout, meeting with well-wishers who’d lined up at a nearby fence.
The Princess stopped the car to get out and greet those who had gathered to get a glimpse of her.
She told a young girl in the crowd “I could hear you shouting hello from all the way over there. Do you know what they do in there? They make socks.”
She also handed a banana back to the young girl that she tried to pass to her.
-Wales Online
Inside, Kate began a tour of the factory and met with staff.
Getting a flavor of what the factory produces, Princess Kate was taken around the design team to be shown their creative process, especially how Corgi’s staff collaborate with world-leading brands. Kate also spent time on the factory floor to meet and hear from the production team as they showed her some of the technical processes they employ.
– People
Kate, proving she’s always happy to try a new skill, had a go on a machine.
She was overheard saying “I’m sorry I was so terrible.”
Elsewhere, the Princess was shown mood boards and told about a collaboration with Morris & Co, the furnishings and decorative arts manufacturer and retailer founded by the iconic artist and designer, William Morris.
This isn’t Kate’s first textile factory visit. In 2023, Kate visited two textile mills in the north of England—one with a family connection
Kate visited AW Hainsworth near Leeds. The company manufactures and supplies ceremonial military fabric, high-performing technical textiles and British woollen cloth. In 1958, Kate’s great-great-grandfather sold his textile firm, William Lupton & Co. to AW Hainsworth.
In a press release today, Kensington Palace said the Princess has “been long passionate about the importance of the textiles industry”.
Corgi has proudly held a Royal Warrant since 1989, first granted by King Charles during his time as Prince of Wales. In December 2024, His Majesty reaffirmed this honour, issuing a new Royal Warrant as part of the transition marking his reign.
Corgi is now officially recognised as a “Royal Warrant of Appointment as Manufacturers of Knitwear and Hosiery to His Majesty The King.”
The company provides the King with high-quality socks and knitwear. They also collaborated with the King on a range of regimental socks designed to complement his regimental ties.
The future King, Prince George, also has a connection with Corgi. The youngster wore one of the company’s jumpers in a 2014 portrait.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Kate will begin to issue her own royal warrants—will we see her award some of the textile businesses she’s been visiting? Perhaps she’s using the visits as research for the role.
Let’s look at Kate’s ensemble now.
Kate’s outfit in Wales:
I’d call this a classic Kate look. A long dress that’s just the right balance of casual and formal, worn under a chic coat in a tonal shade.
The dress’s statement pussy-bow neckline, balloon sleeves and soft pleating add a dose of retro charm to the look, while the tailored coat and ‘blade’ heels remain sleek and contemporary.
The black and white houndstooth dress is by Zara.
Kate’s worn the dress three times before (in public). She debuted the frock in 2020 during a visit to Bradford. She wore it for a second time in public in 2021, for a visit to the University College London. In 2023, she wore it for a third time, during a visit to the Aberfan Memorial Garden (below).
The dress originally retailed for $129 / £89.99. It’s mid-length, belted at the waist and features long balloon sleeves.
As you’d expect, the garment sold out long ago. It’s no longer stocked by Zara.
Kate’s shoes are from Russell and Bromley, they’re the Blade 100 style.
They feature an impressive 10cm slim ‘blade’ style block heel and a sharply pointed toe.
Russell & Bromley described the style as “elevated“, and “an enhanced take on the classic court shoe”.
They are made from black leather. They retailed for £245. Again, Russell and Bromley no longer sell the style I’m afraid.
Let’s look at Kate’s gold earrings now. They’re from the Welsh brand Spells of Love. The Princess wears the Alia Hoops.
Kate tends to wear the earrings for visits to Wales—to promote local craftsmanship and support Welsh businesses.
The handcrafted hoops are made from 18k recycled gold-plated brass. You can preorder them at spellsoflove.co.uk for £95.
Kate wore an ivory coat over her black and white dress. It’s by Chris Kerr. It’s a bespoke coat, commissioned by Kate.
She first debuted the coat during a visit to Wales in 2023 (below). Coincidentally, Kate wore black and white on that occasion too:
The Princess wore the coat for a second time in December 2023, for her Christmas Carol Concert:
Chris Kerr is typically a menswear tailor based in Saville Row in London. As far as I can see, he does not typically make womenswear. The Palace confirmed the designer created the coat for Kate.
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