Princess Anne began her visit to Wyedean Weaving by paying careful attention to tables laid out with examples of the fine military embroidery and braidwork which typify products made by the firm.

The Princess was wearing a green three-quarter length tweed traditional English riding coat and soft charcoal suede boots.

She chatted knowledgeable with managing director Robin Wright about the range of skills used to make everything from sword fillings and lanyards to cap badges and even the company’s new range of exclusive garters for bridal stockings.

Mr Wright’s daughter Rosie is the third family generation at the mill and heads the new venture in bridal fashion.

“We’re using Wyedean’s traditional skills to produce gifts of special and unique quality,” Miss Wright said.

Her Royal Highness then moved to a spotless machine room in the historic building in Bridgehouse Lane where Gwen Morris, in her 21st year and due to retire, demonstrated a needle loom set up to make medal ribbons for the Malaysian campaign.

“Princess Anne was very lovely and interested, a very nice lady, she made me feel very relaxed,” she said, standing beside her successor, apprentice Jenny Ejankowski who began work this January.

On the next floor surrounded by threads of every colour from RAF Grey to New Pink she was shown around the warping room by Gwynnie Williamson and operator Joanne Mitchell of 29 years service, showed the Royal guest precision looms for making regimental ties and tape.

“I call this one my baby – it’s my favourite because it’s really cute to work on,” she told the Princess while demonstrating a 60B machine.

Passing racks of boxes labelled lanyards, bugle cords, sashes and feather plumes, her Royal Highness moved up the open wooden staircase where she met Ruth Shaw making distinctive braidwork called Aiguillettes.

“After 25 years I can almost do these thumb plaits in my sleep! And I’m sure Princess Anne will have worn them,” she said.

After, the assembled 20-strong workforce including sales staff gathered downstairs in front of the plaque unveiled by Her Royal Highness to commemorate Wyedean’s 50 years in Haworth.

“This is very much a family firm and my mother who is 90 years old still keeps an eye on me and what we do,” said Mr Wright.

Princess Anne complimented him and staff and said: “People here have very special attributes and skills and huge congratulations on maintaining that.” Referring to her own knowledge of ceremonial military uniforms she joked “and I think I may need a refresher on how to do a sword knot”.

Before leaving after her hour-and-a-half visit she was then presented with an intricately embroidered black velvet cushion commemorating the day and complete with her personal coat of arms in dazzling colours and gold thread made by Gwynnie Williamson.

Outworker Fiona Green from Oxenhope is Wyedean’s longest serving employee of 40 years and presented the gift before Her Royal Highness signed the company’s visitors’ book.

Referring to the cushion she said: “Oh that is very smart. That kind of skill takes such a long time to learn. Things wouldn’t be the same without you all, thank you very, very much.”

She then left with the Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire who accompanied her along with members of the Royal Protection Unit to take a helicopter from Blackmoor Airfield, Oxenhope, for her next engagement.

Managing Director Robin Wright said: “It was a most successful visit, especially as the Princess Royal was so knowledgeable.”

Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford Roger L’Amie said: “I’m very interested by the density of craftsmanship that goes into these products.

“It’s refreshing to see this amount of bespoke content in things.

“And again it’s refreshing to see such a successful firm in the Bradford district with such a worldwide standing.”

Chairman of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council Don Huxley added: “It’s an amazing place and it’s fantastic that we still have manufacturing like this in Haworth.

“To have a world-leader like Wyedean is great for us and it’s an indication that British industry with the right management can compete at any level.

“The managing director has flown back from Abu Dhabi this morning to be here and is flying back tonight to compete for exports.

“That’s the attitude we need.”