The Princess of Wales flew the flag for British fashion as she stepped out in a tweed trouser suit by Bella Freud, black knitwear and high heels to visit two textile mills. Kate, 43, stayed at Suffolk Silk Mills in Sudbury for longer than had been timetabled, and afterwards took the time to speak to schoolchildren who had waited outside the business for her.

The royal mum-of-three carried out engagements in both Suffolk and Kent to celebrate the unique skill, creativity and craftsmanship of British textile manufacturers. She also visited Marina Mill in Cuxton, Kent, a family business that specialises in  hand designing and screen- printing furnishing fabrics.

Kate, who is famed for her style, 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. She has family links to the industry as her paternal ancestors were the owners of the  woollen manufacturer and merchant, William Lupton & Co, which was based in Leeds.

Back in January, the Princess was given a tour of Corgi, a family-run business in Ammanford, near Swansea, which specialises in handmade socks and knitwear. During the outing, she revealed she had “archived” all of her own children’s clothes, noting that the garments that had been well made always “wore really well”.

See the best photos from her engagements in Suffolk and Kent.

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The pair shared a warm greeting

Familiar face

The Princess was greeted by Jamie Lowther Pinkerton Dep Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk and former top aide to the Waleses, with Kate embracing him in a hug.

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Kate looked chic in a tweed trouser suit

Kate arrives

The Princess beamed as she arrived at Sudbury Silk Mill, with her new blonder locks styled in loose curls.

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Kate is embracing the autumnal tweed trend

Fashion trend

It’s the latest tweed look on Kate, who sported a new Alessandra Rich dress to visit a branch of the WI in Sunningdale, Ascot on Monday.

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A small crowd had gathered near the mill

First outing of the day

The royal accessorised her look with a pair of chunky gold earrings.

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Kate asked lots of questions

Inside the factory

Kate went inside the building and first went to the design department, asking designers about the different fabrics and collections.

“It must be amazing seeing the artwork go onto fabrics,” she said.

“Do you know which customers then take this design on?

“It must be such a proud thing being able to see your artwork on the catwalk or in other people’s collections.”

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Kate with Beth Humes

Taking a tour

Beth Humes, an account manager at Suffolk Silk Mills – who helped show Kate round, said afterwards: “I thought she seemed really clued up about the industry and also the process.

“Obviously she’s visited mills before so she understands a bit about how it works but her questions were really insightful, she was asking about what the demands of our customers are and also about the creative process as well.”

The 35-year-old said there were “not a lot of companies like ours around any more, we’ve been going for a long time, since 1720, and the fact companies like this still exist is really special so it’s important to spread the word”.

“It was lovely, she’s a really really lovely lady,” she added of Kate.

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Kate was shown the machinery

Showing the royal the ropes

The Princess later went downstairs and was shown how a loom works, pressing a button to start the machine and see it in action.

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Kate spoke with school pupils

Greeting the crowd

Before leaving the factory, Kate took the time to greet schoolchildren who had waited outside to see her.

The Princess asked them: “What’s it like to go back to school?”

Tilly Chapel, nine, said: “It was amazing to meet her. My family will be so jealous. I told her it was great to be back at school.”

Arthur Gilligan, nine, said: “I was really excited I never thought I’d meet a royal person.”

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Kate was gifted flowers

Departing for second outing

After leaving Suffolk, the Princess was heading to Marina Mill in Cuxton, Kent, a smaller family business specialising in hand-designed and screen-printed fabrics, to continue her tour of the nation’s textile sector.