Orders galore for Welsh cakes and Meghan’s jeans
ABAKERY has been flooded with inquiries from America after royal bride Meghan Markle raved about their Welsh cakes.
Ms Markle sampled the Welsh griddle cakes made by the Village Bakery during a visit to Cardiff on Thursday when she wowed the crowds.
The US actress liked them so much she asked if she could have some to take home with her.
The traditional delicacies made with Welsh butter are sold across the UK, and as far afield as Hong Kong and Singapore.
And the Welsh jeans firm which made her jeans – Cardigan-based Hiut Denim – says it has been inundated with orders after Ms Markle, accompanied by her fiancé, Prince Harry, was seen wearing a pair on her visit.
The business, founded by husband-and-wife team David and Clare Hieatt, said there had been an increase in interest with fans wanting to get their hands on the £175-a-pair jeans.
“We’ve had quite a busy few hours with orders coming in – there’s definitely been an increase,” said Abi Alexander, who works in customer services.
According to the Wrexhambased Village Bakery, they have now received calls from retailers in the States interested in stocking the award-winning Welsh cakes.
After sampling one Meghan said: “Wow, it’s great!”
The happy couple were served by Thomas Kellaway.
Thomas, 25, said: “I was a bit nervous about the idea of meeting them but they were lovely and made you feel at ease immediately.
“They were absolutely delightful and so obviously in love. The chemistry between them was plain to see, they just sparked off each other.
“They sauntered into the room and were very relaxed and easygoing. They made time for everybody and were a good laugh.
“She introduced herself as Meghan and said it was her first Welsh cake.
“She asked if the Village Bakery was a family-owned company and was impressed when I said it was and that it had been going for more than 80 years.
“Meghan then asked if she could take some Welsh cakes home with her, and they were included in a hamper of Welsh produce that they were given.
“One of the funniest parts of the conversation came when Prince Harry revealed that he likes Marmite on his crumpets, which are another signature product of ours.
“Our crumpets are very versatile but I’ve never heard of that particular combination before. But I’m certainly going to give it a try. It could become a new craze.”
The Village Bakery is no stranger to royal praise.
Prince Harry’s father, the Prince of Wales, visited the Village Bakery in 2015 with Camilla to open its £4m Baking Academy and Innovation Centre on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Welsh cakes were such a big hit with Meghan and Prince Harry.
“It’s already caused a huge amount of interest in our Welsh cakes and we’ve had calls from around half a dozen retailers in the States who are looking to stock them.
“We would love to welcome them to the Village Bakery any time.
“If they do, we’ll be happy to let them have some more Welsh cakes and some crumpets”