Yorkshire company to make suit fit for a honeymooning Prince

A hundred Australian wool growers shipped their finest material from merino sheep to Taylor and Lodge, in Huddersfield, who wove it into a cloth for a Savile Row tailor to transform into a custom suit for the Prince.

The grey classic pinstripe suit has taken dozens of staff 10 weeks to create and is the first wedding gift of it kind in history.

Prince William will receive the suit in time for his honeymoon and the newlyweds’ first tour to Canada in June.

The original idea for the special suit came from Australian wool farmers after the Royal couple’s engagement was announced. Members of the Australian Wool Growers then each donated a few kilos of their finest merino wool from this season.

Edward Waterhouse, Taylor and Lodge manager, said: “It is a great honour to be asked to produce this cloth and it is something that I think will never happen in my career again.

“Such a prestigious event as a Royal Wedding has allowed the best wool growers in Australia to unite for this one suit, the first time that has ever happened.

“This is what makes the suit unique, in my experience this is the first time they have all pooled together with their finest merino wool.

“It’s impossible to put a value on the suit itself because it is truly a one-off, but the wool used costs £1,400 a metre. It is very good clean wool and is certainly one of the finest wools available anywhere in the world.”

Australian wool farmer Robert McBride contributed to the royal bale. He said: “It is a huge honour.

“It’s saying to the fashionable people of the planet here is a young icon in an amazing situation with the world’s eyes on him wearing Australian merino.”

Yesterday it was revealed that Kate Middleton will spend her last night as a single woman at an exclusive London hotel surrounded by her family and friends.

The Goring – a favourite with the wealthy and famous for decades – has been booked up by the Middletons’ wedding party.

Prince William’s fiancée has made the choice to spend the eve of her marriage ceremony at a plush but private venue rather than a Royal palace.

The hotel, a short walk from Buckingham Palace, is a five-star establishment which celebrated its centenary last year. The hotel has been a favourite with foreign royalty, and other famous guests have included Sir Terry Wogan.

A spokeswoman for the Goring said Miss Middleton would be staying in the largest suite in the hotel but would not reveal its nightly rate, saying only that it was four figures.

St James’s Palace said yesterday that the thousands expected to turn out for the nuptials would be able to hear the marriage service through speakers along the wedding route.

During the Royal wedding celebrations another William and Catherine will be playing an important role – carrying Household Cavalry soldiers. Two horses taking part in the ceremony share names with Prince William and his fiancée.