LONDON: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah received a courtesy call and played host to Princess Anne of Britain at the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square.

       According to the latest post on Istana Negara’s official social media, Princess Anne, who is the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, visited the Royal Pahang Weave exhibition that is being held for the first time in conjunction with the London Craft Week (LCW) from May 9 to 15.

       Tunku Azizah, who is also patron of Yayasan Tenun Pahang Diraja, briefed Princess Anne on the weave craft art exhibition, featuring handicrafts made by the inmates of Penor and Bentong prisons in Pahang.

       The items also included a selection of the Raja Permaisuri Agong’s garments and personal tenun collection.

       The exhibition, themed “Menyulam Harapan” (Weaving Hope), is also showcasing archival fabrics and a collection of Riau-Pahang baju kurung, as well as samping from the Pahang Museum with a weaver at task.

       Malaysia’s participation in the LCW this year, reported Bernama, is at one of the two curated country pavilions, reinforcing the festival as a platform for sharing global perspectives and shining a spotlight on London as an international hub for outstanding makers and creativity from around the world.

       Earlier, Tunku Azizah also received a courtesy call from Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, who visited the exhibition which had attracted the attention of British residents and dignitaries.

       The Duchess of Gloucester, originally from Denmark, married Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, a first cousin to Queen Elizabeth II.

       Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester each spent time observing a weaver demonstrating the art and techniques of making the woven fabric.