King Charles received a hand-knitted cake last month to mark ten years of his charity’s textile education programmes.
The monarch was pictured smiling when the wollen-knitted sweet treat was presented to him in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The two-tier cake was knitted in colour and featured decorations, including candles and piping.
Future Textiles, set up in 2014 by the Kings Foundation, celebrated a decade of support.
Seven thousand people have benefited through education and training to address the gap in the UK textiles industry.
The textile education programme runs projects in collaboration with high-profile brands and firms such as Chanel and Net-a-Porter.
Members of Knitwise, sessions run by Future Textiles to develop locally based high-skilled hand-knitters, hosted their annual graduation event at its Dumfries House Headquartres, where they presented the King with the unique celebratory cake.
An exhibition at the Garrison Chapel in London, which regularly hosts showcases by Foundation students, also marked the anniversary, with the cake on public display.
Future Textiles, set up in 2014 by the Kings Foundation, celebrated a decade of support.
The King’s Foundation/PA Wire
A range of garments made by alumni over the last ten years were also on display for the public.
The scheme also includes the ten month, paid Modern Artisan initiative, which allows fashion and textile graduates to design and make a sustainable, luxury line of outfits using heritage skills for the Yoox Net-A-Porter for The King’s Foundation label.
Jacqueline Farrell, education director at The King’s Foundation, said: “Initially, Future Textiles benefitted secondary school-age pupils by introducing them to the beauty of making and ensuring they understood the technical sewing and craft processes that are so vital to responsible fashion design and manufacturing.
“Due to the incredible support of the industry and our partners, the programme grew rapidly and now offers a huge range of courses ranging from day workshops and weekly community groups, to full-time courses which provide students with the skills needed to start their own businesses and gain employment in the industry.’
In September Dumfries House was also the setting of a meeting between King Charles and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to discuss how to end youth violence in the UK.
PA
“We are proud to count among our graduates talented artisans now making their mark in the fashion industry as key practitioners for some of the world’s best-known brands, and founders of businesses that promote sustainability through long-lasting, high-quality garments and products.”
The Future Textiles programme’s success has led to the King’s Foundation now offering a private dining experience.
Members of the public can enjoy a three-course meal in the King’s favourite room at Dumfries House.
In September Dumfries House was also the setting of a meeting between King Charles and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to discuss how to end youth violence in the UK.
