Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, officially opened Private White VC’s new Manchester store and toured the factory in her capacity as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association. The Princess Royal showed interest in the factory’s rich manufacturing history, which dates back to pre-World War One.

Managing director James Eden, great-grandson of Private Jack White who founded the fabric factory after being awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War, said: ‘We feel tremendously honoured to receive HRH The Princess Royal at our factory. We are very privileged that someone of her status has taken such interest in our work and the future of British manufacturing. The Princess is a fantastic ambassador for the UK garment trade.’