The Kempsey based business Akubra Hats has become a household name around the world this week after the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex were each gifted with a hat as a belated wedding gift.
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The Governor-General presented the hats to the Royal couple at Admiralty House earlier in the week as the official wedding gift from Australia.
Managing director of Akubra Hats, Stephen Keir, said the gift was organised through the office of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“It was all organised a while ago through his office. That’s how it’s been organised in the past as well, for other Royals and high-profile people,” Mr Keir said.
“It definitely creates a lot of interest, having a Royal couple gifted with our hats. We’ve had a lot of calls and people coming into the warehouse wanting to purchase one.”
This isn’t the first time a Royal has worn an Akubra, with Prince William Duke of Cambridge also being gifted with one of the famous Australian hats during his 2011 trip to Australia.
The hats have also been donned by a number of high-profile stars including Hugh Jackman and Crocodile Dundee.
“Harry and Meghan seem to have struck a chord with the Australian public so it’s a really good feeling to have our hats gifted to them and to show things can be done in regional areas,” Mr Keir said.
The Akubra hat factory relocated from Sydney to Kempsey in 1974 and has now been handed down through five generations of the same family.
“Kempsey has been terrific for us. If we can showcase Kempsey on such a large scale, it just shows what we can do.”
The two hats that were gifted to the Royal couple were produced by around 40 employees at the Kempsey factory.
“For a small business, being respected and showcased on such a large scale is incredible,” Mr Keir said.
As for the styles, Harry was gifted a Cattleman while Meghan received a Milan, both in the colour Sand.
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