Prince Charles has splashed out £175,000 on bespoke hand-crafted overnight bags as Christmas presents for his staff and his friends – costing £500 each.
The Prince of Wales commissioned leather and suede product designer Owen Barry to create 350 identical bags as luxury gifts.
The £175,000 order was created by adapting a popular design already used by the family owned company.
Workers made the holdalls with Prince Charles’s exclusive Prince of Wales check wool fabric, trimmed with soft, brandy-coloured leather.
To add an extra personal touch, the Prince’s three feathers insignia has been embroidered on to the high market gift.
Owen Barry Ltd, based in Street, Somerset, were specially selected for the role by a scout from Highgrove, Glos., who hand picked the product.
A team of hard-working staff at Owen Barry, who worked on the gifts for a year, have now completed all 350 bags.
They will be wrapped by officials at Highgrove before they are distributed to their recipients.
It is thought the unique, one-off designs, worth between £400 – £500 will not be made available to members of the public.
Owen Barry, managing director Cindi Barnstable, said: “It was a great honour.
“I was thrilled that Owen Barry had succeeded in beating many of the UK’s finest artisans and manufacturers to the top spot.
“I am however, a little nervous, admitting that I have been invited to a Christmas reception at Highgrove later this month.
” I will have the opportunity to hear personally, first hand, whether Prince Charles is indeed happy with his purchases.”
The company was founded by Owen Barry, from Street, Somerset, who began making gloves in 1948.
The business continued to expand and now create hats, gloves, scarves, coats, bags and home accessories.
Five generations of the Barry family have been involved in the running of the popular brand since it began.
