KING Charles III praised Bradford after he was sent a jacket made by a city tailoring firm.
Imran Khan, owner of IK Collections based on Westgate, met King Charles III during the his visit to Bradford in November last year.
Mr Khan was wearing a handmade jacket at the event held in City Hall and had a discussion with the King about his elaborate garment.
During their discussion, the King was struck by the jacket and Mr Khan said he would make the monarch a replica. Mr Khan and eight other people then spent 120 hours making a matching black jacket which was sent to the King last month. The firm’s owner wrote to the King about the jacket and received a reply written on the Monarch’s behalf.
In the letter, King Charles said he was touched by the jacket made for him by IK Collections and praised Bradford. He added that he had happy memories of his visit to the city last year.
The Buckingham Palace-headed letter, sent from the Lord Steward and Personal Secretary to the King and Queen, said: “The King has asked me to thank you for your very nice letter of July 19 and for your kindness in wishing to present to His Majesty this wonderful jacket.
“The King could not be more delighted and was most touched that you should have thought of him in this way.
“His Majesty particularly wished me to pass on his thanks to all the marvellous embroiderers and apprentices who worked on this magnificent jacket.
“Your gift will always remind His Majesty of the Pakistani community in Bradford and of all that they, and the wider community of Bradford, contribute to this country.
“It will also bring back particularly happy memories of His Majesty’s own visit to Bradford last November and the pleasure of meeting you and so many others on that occasion.”
Mr Khan said he was touched to receive the letter on behalf of the King and that it made him feel like a happy Bradfordian.
He said: “It was really touching. It’s just amazing.
“It makes me feel a proper happy Bradfordian. Everything has gone really well with it. It’s lovely to see that he (King Charles) cares for the wider community and what we have done. He likes getting stuff made in the UK. I was so happy to receive the letter.
“When we sent the jacket it was in Buckingham Palace for three days apparently. You don’t make a jacket for the King every day.”
