Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and their newborn baby princess. Photo / AP
Britain's Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and their newborn baby princess. Photo / AP
Kiwi company will personalise items and 'sew something special' on handmade teddy.
A Wellington couple are "over the moon" to be making gifts fit for a princess.
Hutt Valley company Stansborough, owned by Cheryl and Barry Eldridge, was selected to make New Zealand's gifts for the newest royal, including a pelt teddy bear and booties.
The couple were told the news in April but had to keep it under wraps until Prime Minister John Key announced the gifts on Saturday night.
Mrs Eldridge said it was an absolute honour to be chosen for the task.
"We're absolutely over the moon. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It's just lovely to have something that's good enough to give to a princess. It's the feather in the cap for us as a company.
A pair of baby pelt slippers $90.
"It's a New Zealand story and I think they want something that represents a lot of people in New Zealand, innovative companies that are doing something with fantastic wool."
The present includes a pelt teddy bear that will be handmade by Mrs Eldridge, a knitted wrap, wool blanket, beanie and pelt slippers.
The colour of the baby set had not been decided and a little "something special" would be sewn on to the pelt bear, Mrs Eldridge said.
"We'll individualise it a little bit so that it's got something special on him for a princess. We'll probably do a scarf with a little badge on it with the date of birth and a symbol of New Zealand, maybe a kiwi.
"They are one-off collectors' items so she's not going to have this given to her by anyone else. It's from one of the rarest breeds in the world, we're the only people who have got these sheep."
A handmade pelt teddy bear $465.
The company produces a range of accessories, home interiors and baby wear from its flock of rare Stansborough Grey Sheep. The yarn has also been used for costumes in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.
New Zealand Post announced yesterday it would mint 1000 new coins to commemorate the birth.
The coins will depict a traditional baby carriage and the birth date, with a silver fern and English rose intertwined on the rim.
The design had been approved by Buckingham Palace representatives, New Zealand Post spokesman Simon Allison said.
A woollen baby set including cot blanket, knitted wrap and beanie $370.
