Royal wedding: PALACE's SOS call to tailor

Master craftsman Malcolm Plews answered an emergency call for a new uniform for the heir to the throne to wear on his son’s big day with the whole world watching.

Making one usually takes three months but Malcolm was told he had just 10 days.

He worked through the bank holiday with his Savile Row team to get the job done, flew to Scotland for an interim fitting, then finally relaxed on the day of the Royal Wedding to watch with friends.

He was delighted with how Charles looked in his dark blue Royal full dress uniform - especially in comparison to other uniforms prominently on display.

Malcolm, 65, who has lived in Bexhill all his life and is a resident of Hazel Grove, said: “This is a highlight. I have done other things but this was nice. I am planning to retire in September so this is a good one to go out on.

“I was quite proud.”

The uniform he made comprised a blue body coat with stand collar edged with gold, double breasted with tails like a morning coat, and gold lacing on the sleeves to show the rank of Admiral.

The trousers were also naval blue doeskin and had a wide gold stripe down the side.

“It took 10 days to make because that’s all we had,” said Malcolm who owns military tailors Welsh and Jeffries, and has the Prince of Wales feathers above his shop door by Royal Appointment.

“The valets didn’t realise the old one was not suitable because he’d had it for 30 years. We had to pull our finger out and get another one made.

“They said to me – don’t you need three months for that? But in this situation it has got to be done. I spoke to my staff and everyone about working over Easter and we were able to get it finished. It was great, really. And it turned out very successfully, which was even better.”

Malcolm was born and bred in Sidley and became a tailors’ apprentice in Devonshire Road when he was just 15.

“I was pretty useless at school,” he said.

“So my father said I had got to learn a trade...I wanted to be a cabinet maker but there were no apprenticeships going, then there was this one at Frederick Gower so I went for an interview and they took me on.

“After the first week I really enjoyed it. I have enjoyed it every since. It’s been a great trade for me.”