Video: Prince Charles in Bradford speaks warmly of wool

Hundreds of schoolchildren gathered in Centenary Square to greet the Prince of Wales as he met with captains of the wool trade yesterday at the start of a tour which included Bell Vue Girls' School, textile companies and the British Wool Marketing Board's annual conference.

Wearing a wool coat, the prince was a walking testimony to the benefits of the material he had travelled to Yorkshire to promote.

The patron of the Campaign for Wool was in the city famed as the heart of the world's wool business to announce the campaign will be taken into valuable international markets next year.

Prince Charles said: "I was so keen to come to Bradford to make this announcement as Bradford is the home of the wool industry.

"And no history of the city of Bradford is complete without understanding its impact on the economy. I know in recent years wool has been of less importance and Bradford has suffered as a result.

"I can only pray that the Campaign For Wool will go some way at least to ensure that wool has a crucial part in your future and many others."

The prince spoke of wool as one of "nature's great gifts". "It has so many advantages, in terms of its sustainability, durability and being a natural fibre," he added.

The Campaign for Wool, a cross-industry organisation convened by Prince Charles to promote the understanding and use of wool, has so far focused mainly on the UK. But from next year, it will set its promotional sights further afield reaching as far afield as Asia, the United States Australia and New Zealand.

The campaign is seeking to maintain a rise in prices seen in the UK over the past year and repeat the success across the globe as it works to promote the material as the natural choice for fashion as well as interiors and building.

Earlier hordes of well-wishers waved Union Jack flags as the prince stepped into Centenary Square to rapturous applause. Delighted children shook hands with the prince as he spoke to them alongside other supporters.

Youngsters from Beckfoot School, Bingley, and Allerton Primary School, Bradford, provided entertainment for the royal visitor.

The prince was also presented with a knitted portrait of himself created by American-based artist Maria Losch as a gift from the British Wool Marketing Board on behalf of the sheep farmers of the UK.

He also stopped in the square to admire a flock of Swaledale sheep belonging to Otley farmer Nicholas Houseman before moving on to meet pupils at Belle Vue Girls' School where he was greeted by cheering youngsters.

Prince Charles met people involved in Pakistan flood relief fundraising efforts as well as students involved in Mosaic – founded by the prince to challenge concern around the issues facing young Muslims living in deprived areas of Britain.

His tour also included the Haworth Scouring Company and Bulmer & Lumb textile manufacturers in Buttershaw before meeting sheep farmers and other representatives of the wool industry at Wool House, the HQ of the British Wool Marketing Board.

The prince praised sheep farmers and the rural culture they support. "Up and down the United Kingdom – and indeed in many other countries – they are the backbone of the countryside. They support a way of life that not only maintains the wonderful landscape so that others can enjoy it but also a rural culture which in so many ways defines national identity. I think we need to do all we can to ensure that these hardy souls, hefted like their sheep, get the price that they deserve for the work they do."

The support was welcomed. Frank Langrish, chairman of the British Wool Marketing World, said: "All the major wool producing countries in the world are working together on this."

Silence reigns over that date

The Prince of Wales did not give away any whispered secrets yesterday.

He kept quiet about the date of the royal wedding, allowing Prince William and his future daughter-in-law Kate Middleton to take the lead later in the day.

Instead, he asked Adele Chorley-Smith if she was a teacher.

Wedding critic cleric suspended

A CHURCH of England bishop who made "deeply offensive" comments about the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton was suspended from public ministry yesterday.

The Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, said he had asked the Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden, to withdraw from public ministry.

He said he was "appalled" by comments about the marriage posted on Facebook by Bishop Broadbent.

The Bishop reportedly said Prince William and Miss Middleton's marriage may last only seven years and was said to have referred to the Royal Family as philanderers.

In a statement, The Bishop of London said: "I have now had an opportunity to discuss with Bishop Peter how his comments came to be made and I have noted his unreserved apology."

He said he had also expressed dismay to St James's Palace.