29 April 2011

On 28 April, Sky News reported how samples of wool donated by Australian woolgrowers have been made into a suit as a wedding gift for Prince William.

The Australian woolgrowers’ contribution of wool is a 'thank you' to Prince William for his recent trip to Australia, and also to Prince Charles for his support of the industry – by initiating and being patron of the international Campaign for Wool.

From Australia, the donated wool was scoured and combed in Biella, Italy by Pettinatura di Verrone, before being dyed and spun at Bulmer & Lumb in Bradford, woven at Taylor & Lodge in Huddersfield, then tailored into a fine suit fit for the Prince by Anderson & Sheppard in Saville Row, London.

The cloth has a memorial inscription woven into the lining, with four metres of it being used for a suit for the Prince himself, and the remaining 96 metres to be auctioned off for charity. Proceeds from the auction will go to Australian charity, The Royal Flying Doctors Service. Every Australian woolgrower that donated will also receive a piece of the cloth as a memento.

Read the article and watch the video at Skynews.com.au.

More information:

• AWI media release: Woolgrowers dress Prince William and help keep the Flying Doctor flying (Tuesday, 12 April 2011)
• AWI Beyond the Bale magazine article: Wool fit for a Prince (March 2011)