Princess Anne sends message of solidarity to UK fashion firms

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Apr 14, 2020

Princess Anne, who has been president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) for more than 35 years, has written to those who work within the UK fashion and textile industry to share a message of support.

In the note, The Princess Royal said she is “well aware of the many challenges and hardships faced by the industry and the people it employs, in companies large and small”.

Over the past three decades, Princess Anne has toured many fashion factories across the UK, visiting clothing, footwear and accessories businesses including New Balance, John Smedley, Henry Poole and Corgi. 

But her visits to UKFT members have been cancelled until further notice due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

In the letter, Princess Anne thanked fashion companies for converting production to fight the coronavirus. 

“I know from UKFT that a number of companies in this industry are actively offering to support the NHS with personal protective clothing, with some switching production from traditional products, for which the industry is known, to much needed hand-sanitiser and other products for UK care homes,” she said.

“It is at times like these when we see our communities and industries come together to work for the common good.”

Heritage brands including Burberry and Barbour are using their factories in Castleford and South Shields to manufacture new masks and gowns for the NHS, while various footwear retailers including Kurt Geiger and Sophia Webster have donated pairs of shoes to frontline health workers.

“I very much enjoy my visits to UKFT members around the country and having the opportunity to meet with the people and their skills behind the companies and brands. I look forward to resuming my visits as soon as the situation allows and, in the meantime, my thoughts are with you all and your families,” The Princess Royal concluded.