LETTERS sent from Buckingham Palace and Alnwick Castle in the 1920s and 30s have been uncovered during a cafe refurbishment.

The letters were found during the creation of a new, historical display at Otterburn Mill.

One of the letters, dated July 3, 1923, and believed lost, was sent to thank the mill for sending the suit length of Otterburn tweed to the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII).

He was said to have been very pleased with it and remarked on the fine quality of the material. 

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Otterburn Mill is aware of a second letter sent to confirm the selection of seven yards of material by the Queen Mother to make kilts for Princesses Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret.

Dated March 30, 1939, the letter also mentions a request for a second pattern to make a jacket and skirt. This letter remains lost.

In 1926, Buckingham Palace reached out to the mill to request a custom-made pram rug for the royal pram of Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II). The rugs soon became one of the mill's most popular products, with demand outstripping supply.

"Otterburn Mill is proud of its Royal heritage, and is thrilled to be able to announce that copies of the letters have been put on display in newly refurbished café Rena’s Country Kitchen", a spokeswoman said.

The mill's cafe was recently renamed to honour Rena Waddell - the 5th generation Waddell to own and run the mill.

With the Waddell family at the helm, Otterburn Mill grew into a huge name in the textiles industry, reaching as far as Tokyo and Milan at the height of its success.

Rena Waddell, daughter of William IV, joined the business in 1936 after agreeing to hold the fort when an agent fell ill.

Taking control of the business' office for London Sales, she handled sales with such success that Otterburn Tweeds were featured on the covers of high fashion magazines including Vogue, and agencies were opened in Paris and New York to respond to the growing international demand for Otterburn Mill products.