As we discussed yesterday, the Princess of Wales stopped by a textile factory in Leeds and Lancaster. She wore a dated Burberry suit with ten buttons, and she paired the look with chunky gold jewelry. Style-wise, this was a huge miss. But it’s considered a success because Kate did something and she didn’t make an ass out of herself. She did grab some merino wool and declare “I love the feel and smell of it!” Her office (the bewigletted gopher) also arranged for this People Magazine exclusive:
Fabric from the mill was used in the striking Colonel of the Irish Guards uniform that Prince William wore for his April 2011 wedding to Kate at Westminster Abbey, and the Princess of Wales was shown a photo from the big day while viewing a company timeline during a private reception.
“She is featured with her husband, and as she walked around, she clearly recognized it and was blown away,” Amanda McLaren, managing director, exclusively tells PEOPLE.
“She was so friendly and really engaged in our people and really interested in meeting as many people as she could get to. We took a slight detour — she was so interested,” McLaren added of the Princess of Wales’ enthusiasm.
Though Kate was on the move at AW Hainsworth, operational excellence director Zena Al Mausawe tells PEOPLE that she seemed especially excited by the production of the scarlet fabric.
“She loved it. It was great that she saw the scarlet tunic, which is the iconic red fabric that everyone associates with Buckingham Palace and the guards. It was great how she was trying to feel everything and get the tactile experience as well,” Al Mausawe says. “She loved the smell of the wool and the texture of it and the handle of it.”
The event was literally Kate standing in a textile mill, touching fabric and declaring herself keen. But sure, I’m glad she’s doing something, I’m glad she’s getting out of the house. Speaking of, the royal commentators keep pressing Kensington Palace about how Kate needs to go to Singapore. They know it’s not up to Kate, so they’re basically trying to convince William and his staff:
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams hailed the Prince and Princess of Wales as the “future of the monarchy.” He told Express.co.uk: “William and Catherine and their children are the future of the monarchy. Their joint and solo events are always popular and when they champion a cause it invariably gives it a boost. Whilst William took a solo trip to New York, Catherine visited the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton where she has been appointed Commodore in Chief of Fleet Air Arm, and HMP High Down in Surrey, which was linked to her work with the Forward Trust and ahead of Addiction Awareness Week. She also attended a Rugby World Cup match in Marseille.”
“Her body language looked confident. Her new 1970s ‘Farrah Fawcett’ hairstyle looked gorgeous, she had poise and hopefully she and William will be maximising their popularity with more trips abroad shortly.”
“Hopefully she and William will be maximising their popularity with more trips abroad shortly,” hint hint, Peggington. None of your media keepers want you to fly solo to Singapore. Anyway, imagine praising a 41-year-old woman for her confident body language and Farrah Fawcett wig. My God.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
-
- The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and fabrics. In 1958, the Princess’ great-great grandfather sold William Lupton & Co to AW Hainsworth. Picture date: Tuesday September 26, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Kate. Photo credit should read: Danny,Image: 808529631, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Danny Lawson / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales during a visit to AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and fabrics. In 1958, the Princess’ great-great grandfather sold William Lupton & Co to AW Hainsworth. Picture date: Tuesday September 26, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Kate. Photo credit should read: Danny,Image: 808529856, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Danny Lawson / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales during a visit to Standfast & Barracks printworks in Lancaster. The company is renowned for its impressive heritage in textile design and creativity, which dates back to 1924 and is now part of the Sanderson Design Group.,Image: 808649628, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dominic Lipinski / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales during a visit to Standfast & Barracks printworks in Lancaster. The company is renowned for its impressive heritage in textile design and creativity, which dates back to 1924 and is now part of the Sanderson Design Group.,Image: 808649830, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Dominic Lipinski / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales talks to Senior Weaver Trainer Zeb Akhtar during a visit to AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and fabrics. In 1958, the Princess’ great-great grandfather sold William Lupton & Co to AW Hainsworth.,Image: 808649941, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Danny Lawson / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales talks to Senior Weaver Trainer Zeb Akhtar during a visit to AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and fabrics. In 1958, the Princess’ great-great grandfather sold William Lupton & Co to AW Hainsworth.,Image: 808649990, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Danny Lawson / Avalon
-
- The Princess of Wales visits AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and iconic fabrics. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Leeds, United Kingdom When: 26 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
-
- The Princess of Wales visits AW Hainsworth in Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and iconic fabrics. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Leeds, United Kingdom When: 26 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
-
- Catherine, Princess of Wales visits AW Hainsworth in Pudsey, Leeds, a family-owned heritage textile mill which was established in 1783 and manufactures British woollen cloth, high-performing technical textiles, and iconic fabrics Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Pudsey, Leeds, United Kingbom When: 26 Sep 2023 Credit: John Rainford/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE UK**
Mmmm, interesting that photos of William last week showed him looking pretty tan but Kate’s looking pale and washed out, could it be that William took a sunny holiday without his wife? Enquiring minds must know!
It’s all that jogging in central park
“New 1970’s Farrah Fawcett hairstyle…” So, by definition, the hairstyle is the opposite of “new”.
@brassyrebel, yep, it’s called damned by faint praise lol, BUT we all know she loves the feel and smell of wool, because she plonks big bundles of it on her head!!?
I’ve never seen anyone smile quite like her. Her bottom jaw is thrust so far forward.
I tried to replicate jr and my jaw muscles were like – OW and WHY
as for the textiles- she recognized red. Excellent work. Now can you find blue? Come on. Where is the blueeee?
Yeah maybe she should learn about sheep shearing and how they make their wool For her learning experiences. lol.
Not only is it not new, it looks nothing like a Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. Maybe a Jaclyn Smith, at best….
Agreed. This is not the Farrah Fawcett extension set, it’s much more like Jaclyn Smith. Actually, I just googled Jaclyn and her hairstyle would look good on Kate, but Jaclyn’s has almost always been much shorter than Kate seems to like to wear. Shorter would be much better on Kate and her hairdresser should be advised to go with the shoulder-length Jaclyn look.
She just can’t nail it. She was going for the new butterfly cut, but ended up looking like farah fawcett in the 70’s… dude
Why do the rota really care so much whether Kate travels abroad? Do they just want to go on some international trips themselves?
They need something to write about and this “will she, won’t she”? speculation will continue until the start of the event in Singapore. A reporter could easily ask KP for confirmation on her attendance but that would kill the story. The speculation also keeps WanK and the event in Singapore in the news cycle. It feels like a PR manoeuvre.
@Sure – “It feels like a PR manoeuvre.”
I get this feeling as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the plan is for Kate to go all along. Then, they’ll make it this huge SURPRISE!! moment when she shows up looking all loved up with Peg.
The only thing making me think this would never happen is Peg’s inability to be in her presence without looking like he wants to throw pillows and vases.
@sure: i think you are right and we really shouldn’t be surprised if we see her in Singapore after all. But the rota have just seemed a little bit extra desperate after Invictus. They are basically begging harry and meghan to move back and are demanding that william and kate make more visits abroad and together. It just feels like something is in the water.
@Scooby Gang and @Chloe, I’m torn on this…I can see it playing out the way you suspect, but I also could imagine Charles not wanting Kate seen at all – whether in London or Singapore – on the day of his first Parliament opening as monarch. I think he knows that, for better or worse, whichever event she attends, her presence and clothing will become the main headline and image of the day. So I almost wonder if Charles is telling Kate to stay home – or at least, Charles is backing William in wanting Kate to stay home.
The rota know that not going to Singapore is done for the same reason as not attending the Diana statue unveiling. They are trying to say what is really going on by focusing on this travel issue.
@Ginny – Ooooh, I didn’t know these events coincided. That’s a great point!
She touched and smelled the textiles. The bar is set so low for this fool. No Peg doesn’t want her to go and he doesn’t want her to touch any of the fabrics that he is wearing on his royal a**.
I didn’t know she had opinions. She loves the feel and smell of wool y’all. Now we know.
So … I have NO experience with hairpieces of any kind. How can you tell Kate is wearing a wiglet ? Is it at her hairline or the general texture of her hair ?
Thank you, I have been wanting to ask this same question!! I know commenters here are so certain she wears wigs, and I genuinely can’t tell. I would love to know what I’m missing so I can spot what people are talking about.
@Lula08 Came here to type that too. I have friends who wear amazing weaves and wigs to change up their style or give their hair a break and they look fabulous, and they’re not trying to hide the fact that they’re wearing one – outside of that, I have no experience with this…definitely not with white lady wigs. I’d love some insight as well.
I’m French and actually Brigitte Macron has been forward now for years about her hair extensions. I personally don’t like her hairstyle but she does and it’s very liberating and positive that she explains how she gets it.
I wondered that myself, so I started zooming in on the photos. The back of her hair never matches the front of her hair in color. And her part is always in a different place in the back than in the front. And there’s always a messy bit in the middle of the part that sweeps over the “front” of the wiglet.
I have no experience with wigs but sometimes notice that part of her hair to the back or side are a completely different color. Also, sometimes sections of her hair don’t move or lay the way you would expect. Finally, on some days her hair seems noticeably longer or thicker day to day, which become obvious if she has multiple events during a week.
For me the tell is where parts of her hair are ‘clumped’ together and doesn’t move in the same natural way her own hair does. Plus the texture doesn’t look the same – some parts of her hair are dry and frizzy with other parts look better. Plus there has been occasions where it hasn’t been blended properly which makes the fake hair stick out. Am not sure if they are fixing the wiglets to her scalp or real hair but I would hazard a guess and say its being fixed to her scalp.
Wiglets etc.. are a great way to play around with colours, length styles etc.. but hers look cut price. I once worked with a woman who had lost all her hair due to alopecia and the wigs she wore were fabulous – you couldn’t tell they were wigs.
All I can say is, I recently started wearing wigs due to my alopecia and am still trying to get my confidence with it. The comments I see here about her hair give me some major insecurity about my own, I can tell you that. If her access to wigs of any price point look as bad as everyone thinks, then me and my peasant wig must look atrocious.
Maybe I’m just sensitive due to my own experiences, but the wig hate sucks.
I’m so sorry, @EMc. My best friend has alopecia and has had so much insecurity over her hair for many years. My mother-in-law really struggled to feel comfortable/confident in wigs when she was going through chemotherapy. So while I haven’t lived through what you are living through, I can imagine how triggering and demoralizing it must be to see the wig-related comments here day in and day out. No one should be made to feel bad for choosing to wear one, but especially those who have a real medical reason for doing so.
I’m sure you look beautiful with or without your wigs; it’s clear that you have a kind and tender soul, and that’s true beauty!
EMc – Sorry about hair loss and insecurity. One of the girls in my high school Spanish had no hair and wore wigs all the time. She had a great sense of humor, and was quite popular. She never hid the fact that she used wigs. The vast majority of the wig hate you see on this site directed to Kitty Middleton is due to the fact that she’s dishonest about her fake hair use, is not particularly skilled in applying it and has so many other objectionable qualities that it’s easy to disparage her for it. Sounds like a better role model would be Brigitte Macron because she’s apparently hair-honest.
I wore wigs after mine fell out during chemo. First of all huge hugs. Ppl here are speaking about a public figure who has tons of money to buy the best, has made comments and displayed behavior over time that has caused many to not like her, and this site & others are quite vocal about it.
What YOU are experiencing is NOT the same. Huge hugs.
I understand the insecurity. You find what works for you. Find support groups for Alopecia in your area, and with their assistance find wig shops and stylists who help you get comfortable with your new hair. Groups can help you with makeup and application for eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. Love to you. You are BEAUTIFUL. ❤️
@EMc I meant what I said that some of my friends have worn wigs (for various reasons – some medical, some because of hair loss, some just because they loved changing up their looks, and some because their hair or scalp needed a break from styling), and they all looked SO GOOD (and no, they didn’t have expensive wigs). My hair bleaches red any time I go in the sun during the summer (the natural color is almost black) and I have terrible hormone issues (fibroids galore and a hysterectomy four weeks ago) so I’ve lost at least 1/2 the volume I used to have and my hair looks fried and discolored on a good day (even though I don’t blow-dry it and use good products) so when people point out that her hair looks dry and discolored as a way to prove she wears wigs, my first instinct is, “Well, mine looks like that and I don’t wear wigs” (though I think it’s probably true she wears them). Please know that some of the most breathtaking people in my life wear wigs and it’s their confidence (they are wearing the wig, the wig isn’t wearing them) that makes their hair fabulous. I can only imagine how hard your situation must be – our hair is often a part of our personality and identity, and it’s hard to have that change. If K’s hair has thinned and she’s wearing wiglets to maintain her image or marriage, I actually feel bad for her to some degree – I wish she would channel that painful experience into empathy for others.
Zero charisma + zero charisma still equals zero charisma. One just wears more jewlery, and dresses (minimally) better (at times) than the other, and has more hair. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We *all* know the rats are crying because nothing PwT does on his own generates any real clicks. He is the personification of boring, and boorish. And while Keen isn’t much better, at least they can talk about her clothing and jewels in 128 pics, in repeated paragraphs to fill the page. Add the kids, and there’s another 50 pics and more repeated paragraphs about what *they* wear.
The rats are flexing their claws and *telling* KP what they want. Pronto.
I don’t think this is the Farrah wig, this looks like the gopher wiglets. The way certain white women are propped up for doing the bare minimum is embarrassing. But so many have no shame at all.
The man in the blue shirt is doing a super heroic job of making her look engaged and not crazy. His smile is great. She’s not even looking away from him to freeze pose for the cameras! Great work blue shirt guy!
Camilla is patron of the UK wool industry, just saying. I forget what the actual name of the organization is. I’m a knitter who learned as a child in Ireland. I prefer Irish/UK natural fibers. I follow many British yarn companies and Camilla shows up every so often.
Very interesting to see if anything comes out of what will surely be seen as a gaffe and attack on Camilla.
Oooh, interesting!!
William kept her away from the Diana statue dedication. I doubt he will bring her with him to Singapore.
Yep, we saw D’s statue that day as well as the breakdown in WanK’s relationship.
Why does this article remind of this scene in Porkys (I know, I know. I was pretty young when I saw it-in my defense. lol)? https://youtu.be/p9viVb8qhhQ?si=CGjzbZ_3bjjnDr-C
I’m a knitter so fellow wool lovers will appreciate the scent of it comment lol.
I think Kate was a knitter in college, right? Why wasn’t this love of textiles pursued from the beginning? Why hasn’t she connected more modern knitting (like PomPom Magazine, whose HQ is in the UK) with Charles’s campaign for wool? The campaign for wool is great, but it doesn’t seem to have any connections with what modern hand knitters are making and wearing. It would be so cute to have the kids in hand knitted sweaters, and if she showed up somewhere in a popular sweater pattern, the knitting community would be pumped. She and William (I think) went to some event a couple years ago and one of the volunteers at the organization was wearing a cowl designed by Andrea Mowry (a rockstar designer), and the cowl pattern was back on the “hot right now” list on Ravelry after being available for several years. And that was just from someone else wearing a design in the same frame as Kate. And the knitting community is made up of small women-owned businesses. It just seems like such an obvious fit and an easy win.
If she wasn’t so mean, I would be disappointed at this missed opportunity. But good riddance. Either commit to something or let someone else. She’s just taking up space at this point.
As a fellow knitter, I co-sign everything that you’ve said here.
If kate was a serious knitter we would have heard this repeated many times by now. She was praised as sporty in university so if knitting was mentioned it was likely a one time thing.
Knitters unite! I pulled out some sweaters this week finally!
Fair! Like I said, I’m a knitter so I must have read it somewhere once and just held onto it.
I think my point stands, though. If she loves textiles, get into promoting British wool with Charles. Promote environmentally friendly fibers/textiles. STAND WITH GARMENT WORKERS. If she teamed up with Vestaire Co on thrifting good-quality textiles, and then with Sojo for tailoring clothes you already own, and only buying fabrics and clothes made by ethical companies, it would be easier to buy her appearances at Earthshot. Gah, she should ask Venetia La Manna or Aja Barber to style her!!!
Kate is no knitter. She said she tried to knit something for George when he was a baby but never finished it because she was bad at it.
It really is a missed opportunity. She could knit scarves for people in need and invite other knitters on social media to join the effort. Or do something, anything, that involves actual effort on her behalf.
Honestly, yes. I’ve had the same thought. Rally knitters around domestic British wool production, small farms that raise heritage sheep breeds, then have people go to their local yarn shops to buy yarn to do some charity knitting. Hats and gloves/mittens are always easy because they’re quick. I mean, she could team up with William’s homeless charities (if he would allow it haha) to knit hats and scarves. Hell, she could have worked with Meghan and Smartworks!! Knit yourself a chic wool hat to keep you warm on your new commute!
I am currently sitting on my sofa with a knitted throw over my legs. This throw was made ‘with tender loving care for Project Linus’. It was given to my mother when she was in the hospital for her multiple myeloma treatments. My using it today connects me to my mother & her joy at receiving such a gift from kind strangers. For all the knitters out there, thank you!
@P, as a life-long knitter I am always jazzed to hear that others also appreciate the ancient art. If KatyKeen has raised the profile of this skill/craft, then she did one good thing on that day, albeit by accident! It just goes to show that with a little bit of preparation she could do the same for so many different areas of interest…but I guess she would have to be engaged and keen for that to happen. Quelle dommage. Wasted opportunities are her speciality.
Yay knitting! I wore a freshly blocked sweater yesterday and felt like a million bucks!
Maybe Kate’s new title should be queen of wasted opportunities. There is so much good she can do in the world, and it’s not hard!! It can be really fun actually!
She’s there for the photo op, period.
Meanwhile, one of my most favorite Sussex pictures is Harry in Canada holding a young Archie, who’s wearing the gray pompom hat from Make Give Live, the consortium of groups of volunteer knitters in NZ who make hats to order. The model is, for every hat sold, another is made and distributed to someone in need in the local community. They were inundated with orders after that picture, and as per the web page, still seem to be going strong. You can buy one of the various hats, or else, buy a kit with materials to make the hat yourself.
So, an idea was out there to build on; but Kate and the KP are just so ineffective and lazy, all we get is, “I love the feel and smell of it.” Nothing that can promote or help anyone else.
They both have no talent to plan ahead. Remember that pic of little Archie with the knitted hat from the New Zealand knitters. They magnified that company ten fold. Just imagine if they had the foresight to do something like that. The British citizens are paying her millions to be a trainee. Someone said before on another site that she did this same thing 7 years ago. Unbelievable.
Looking at the closeups she’s had something done to her face – the jowls are not as pronounced as they usually are. Either that or she’s had the cheek fillers removed.
She, Ma and the press are REALLY REALLY pushing for her to go on this trip – the press must have really really struggled with him on that NY trip.
Heavy-hitting stuff out of KP today. How could any woman ever compare? A born queen, that Kate.
She recognized the fabric of the uniform her husband wore on their wedding day! Amazing woman!
I just noticed how bad her eyeliner was yesterday. She’d eased off that super-heavy black eyeliner for a while, but apparently it’s back. In that one closeup pic of her sort of from the side — the second one down — I’d believe it if I was told it was from 2008. She’s just flailing hopelessly at this point, in every way.
Is this the usual soft whatever crap the RF does? Go make visits somewhere to get to know “your subjects” blah blah. Part of the script of monarchies all around the world. Idk anything to get them to do stuff but seems innocuous to me. Nothing to get praised for and nothing to criticism. Just…boring.
There are other photos of this event with people in yellow safety vests standing behind a cordon and looking bored AF. The one guy in the blue smock was doing the lords work that’s day.
What exactly is a ‘Royal Expert’? What qualifications are needed?
Seeking Royal Expert. Qualifications: Must be able to lie with a straight face. Must enjoy dispensing BS on the regular. Must abandon all journalistic ethics.
‘Royal Expert’ is a self-defined term. Qualifications are nonexistent. Anyone can call themselves a ‘royal expert’ and the ones most commercially successful at it are able to drive traffic to their website, youtube channel, or publication for ad $$$. For explainer of those in UK tabloid press, see Netflix: Harry & Meghan, S1: Ep. 2, at 20:56 mark. Harry attempts to define ‘royal expert’ to their friend and former employee, Mandana Dayani, in Netflix: Harry & Meghan, S1: Ep. 3, at 12:00 mark, but it sounds like what he’s describing is the ‘royal rota’ system. This is expounded on further by Tim Burt following Harry’s explanation, and example provided by James Holt in the same episode.
Welp at least Buttons has upped her game from “can you taste it by smelling it” to this…so yeah, progress(?)
Ohhh. I knew the bangs and lighter color were a distraction so we didn’t notice something else. Did she have recent rhinoplasty? The bridge of her nose looks squared off in that photo of just her touching her hair. We have similar facial features (rounder face when at a healthy weight and cute button nose) so I tend to notice when she has facial changes. She looks sad and unhappy.
I agree @KitKat. I have thought for a while that she has had a liquid rhinoplasty done. It can be a gradual process, and it can be done under the radar so it is not immediately obvious. I suppose that with her general loss of weight that her nose was becoming more prominent on her face, so she is reshaping it. Rich lady pastimes!
I still don’t get this engagement, the visit was centred around her and not the factory.
I have no real complaints about this outfit. There are maybe a few too many buttons but otherwise I really like the look. I’ve been hoping Kate would go for this sort of suit for many years. I like the length of the jacket, which disguises the long waistline, and the width and length of the trousers, that give the lllusion of longer legs, are almost perfect. I have always thought that trousers this width that just touch the top of her shoes would be much better than the tight ones she has sported in the past that end at the ankle. The chunky gold necklace works well with the outfit.
Finally a sentence worth hearing.. wool industry on its knees,now if she would just promote a few more products that are wool related.
Ok, so it’s 1am where I am and I’m just home from work. Are people actually attempting to give RepliKate cookies for remembering her wedding day after seeing a picture of herself and her husband on their wedding day? The bar is in Hades, folks!!!
That article is sad- Kate liked the touch and feel of wool.. Umm.. OK.. . She has the Farah Fawcett hairstyle to help maximize their popularity – is she trying to copy the iconic Farah Fawcett. Originality isn’t her strong point.
I find her so utterly beige boring, even trying to keep up with Meghan, she exhausts me even looking at her.
Yes but can you test the smell by smelling it?