PM gives French president a handwoven blanket by British weaver
A British weaver known as Rosenzweig was asked by Downing Street to produce one of her handwoven blankets within a day, later learning it had been presented to the French president.
Weaver Rosenzweig has described how she learned of an unusual request when she received a voicemail from Number 10, the UK prime minister's office, stating: "This is official, please call us back."
When she got in touch, she was told the blanket was needed for the very next day. However, officials would not reveal who the gift was intended for or the reason behind it until after it had already been handed over.
It later emerged that the recipient was the French president. Rosenzweig said he was probably the most famous person she knows of to own one of her handwoven pieces, calling the experience "a bit surreal."
She said she believes the prime minister wanted to offer a gift that reflected the best of British craftsmanship, noting that textiles are something the UK does particularly well and that wool is currently enjoying renewed popularity.
Rosenzweig also shared a remark from her daughter, who pointed out that her mother's blankets already rest on the beds of friends, family members and strangers alike — and now on that of a president too.
