Royal Couple Engage with Traditional Craft at Stirling Weaving Studio
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, known as Prince William and Kate Middleton when in Scotland, embarked on a meaningful visit to the heart of Stirling, where they immersed themselves in the ancient art of tartan-weaving. Their destination was the charitable organisation Radical Weavers, which provides a welcoming space for individuals to learn traditional Scottish weaving skills in a supportive community environment.
Creating Personal Tartans and Contributing to a Record-Breaking Project
During their time at the studio, located on Murray Place, the royal pair were invited to select colours for their own personalised tartan designs. William initially favoured a palette of vibrant, bright colours, but was gently persuaded by Kate to incorporate some softer, more muted tones into his selection. This collaborative moment highlighted their shared engagement with the creative process.
The visit's centrepiece saw Kate take a seat at a traditional loom to weave the first public section of an ambitious community project. She added approximately an inch and a half to what organisers hope will become a record-breaking tartan scarf stretching an impressive three kilometres in length. The garment is being woven in the historic Wallace tartan pattern and is a communal effort intended to raise vital funds for the construction of Scotland's proposed Tartan Centre in Stirling.
Charity Leaders and Students Share Their Experiences
Peter Dickie, the head of weaving at the charity, provided technical insight into the royal contribution. "I did the first bit to secure it in place, and then the first piece of actual weaving was done by the princess," he explained. "She did about an inch and a half there, which is, give or take, about 16 throws in two or three minutes, having never woven before." He emphasised the accessibility of the craft, noting that "weaving is really, really easy, and it just looks really complicated."
Mairi Breslin, founding director of Radical Weavers, described the royal visit as "by far the biggest day that we've had" in the organisation's seven-year history. She highlighted the significance for the small independent charity, which employs just five staff members. "It's a complete game changer. It's extremely difficult to get any sort of publicity or press about what we do, and the more people that know what we do, hopefully the more help we can get, the better," she stated. Breslin also noted the charity's previous recognition as the V&A's community partner in 2023, which she described as "massive," but affirmed this royal engagement surpassed that milestone.
A Diverse Community of Learners
Established in 2019, Radical Weavers has a core mission to combat social isolation and support individuals affected by trauma and loss through the therapeutic practice of weaving. The students who met William and Kate represented a diverse cross-section of the community, including two Ukrainian refugees, two young adults from Israel, and a blind woman in her eighties, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the charity's work.
One participant, 22-year-old Lauren Kilgannon, shared her nervous excitement after meeting the royals. "They seemed very lovely. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first but a good experience to have," she recounted. Kilgannon, who only began weaving in April of the previous year, explained that William showed particular interest in the autumn-inspired browns and oranges of her tartan. "So to have that experience is quite a lot for just a beginner. So I'm quite happy with that," she added.
Kate's Advocacy for British Textile Heritage
The Duchess arrived at the engagement wearing a blue checked coat by designer Chris Kerr, woven by the renowned Scottish mill Johnstons of Elgin, with whom she has previously collaborated on design projects. This choice subtly underscored her ongoing support for British textile craftsmanship.
Kate has consistently used her platform to champion the United Kingdom's rich textile heritage. Throughout 2025, she undertook a series of visits to manufacturers across Carmarthenshire, Suffolk, Kent, and County Tyrone, aiming to highlight the industry's historical significance and celebrate the creative fulfilment found within these skilled professions.
The Stirling visit provided another poignant example of this advocacy, focusing on a community-focused charity preserving traditional skills while fostering social connection and wellbeing.
