Sustainable royal treat

Hundreds packed into Cathedral Square in Christchurch on 17 February to catch a glimpse of Anne, Princess Royal. Aside from meeting an adoring public, Princess Anne took time out for a spot of sustainable fashion therapy while visiting the Garden City. Metropol editor Lynda Papesch explains…

Royalist pride was front and centre when several hundred flag-waving Cantabrians took to inner city streets to greet a favourite princess last month. Princess Anne, Colonel in Chief of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, visited Christchurch on the final day of her recent New Zealand visit. Hours of preparation go into any royal visit so taking a slight detour anywhere necessitates a lot of planning, communication and sheer hard work.
Such was the case leading up to her Christchurch visit when Princess Anne popped into local fashion house Untouched World, for a private behind-the-scenes tour.
The princess has been president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association for 35 years, and is a long-time advocate of sustainability in the fashion industry.
She was accompanied around the Untouched World workrooms and retail space by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, along with Untouched World staff and members of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Defence Force personnel, and Police.
“A lot of people worked hard to make the visit happen for Her Royal Highness, and we are very grateful to them all. The preparation and security detailing was comprehensive,” says Untouched World Founder and CEO Peri Drysdale. Several weeks of calls, visits, official briefing papers and meetings preceded the 80-minute visit, which started when helicopters, followed by a fleet of vehicles, descended on the fashion house premises.

Once inside, the behind-the-scenes tour was a ‘farm-to-garment’ look at the way the company’s clothing is made using unique technology in a zero-waste environment.

Regenerative farming practices were showcased by farmers from Canterbury’s Glenthorne Station, where Untouched World sources most of its finest merino.

Princess Anne was impressed with the quality of the premium wool, remarking on the challenge of obtaining such standards in the UK due to the different climate. She was talked through the process of how the wool is responsibly made into premium garments, witnessed 3D knitting in progress and was introduced to the company’s software programmer and designers.

Heading away, the royal couple was gifted with garments chosen in collaboration with the Princess Royal’s official dresser. Princess Anne received a luxurious wrap made from Untouched World’s exclusive super soft Kapua blend of pill-resistant Cashmere, premium possum, and Mulberry silk. A zip shirt made from locally sourced fine machine washable merino was also given to the princess, with her love of the outdoors in mind.

For Sir Tim there was a sweater made from Cassum, another of the company’s signature blends, along with matching gloves and
a hat.

The princess is a fan of the company’s clothing, admitting to owning a much-loved ‘black and fluffy’ Untouched World garment. Now she has two more to keep her warm this winter.

In Brief

Princess Anne is the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her late husband Prince Phillip.
The London-born royal was given the title of Princess Royal in 1987, and is well known for her charitable work, being the patron of over 200 organisations.

She is an avid equestrian, having competed in European horse riding championships as well as being the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games.

She married Timothy Laurence in 1992 and shares two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips with former spouse Captain Mark Phillips.
One of the hardest working members of the Royal Family, Princess Anne has visited New Zealand eight times, with the last trip in 2008.
This visit to Christchurch was to hear about the rebuild, visit the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, and unveil a plaque.