From knocking up a peg bag at primary school to making Prince Harry’s military wedding costume seen by millions of viewers worldwide, it’s all been a labour of love for Sarah Wilkinson.

The mum-of-two from Strood is celebrating 40 years working for a long-established bespoke gentlemen’s outfitters in London’s world-famous Savile Row, the bastion of men’s tailoring since the late 18th century.

Sarah was awarded an apprenticeship at Dege & Skinner’s Mayfair house after leaving Rochester Grammar School at the age of 16 with an O-level in needlecraft.

Determined that this would be the career for her, she had trawled through the Yellow Pages telephone directory which pre-internet was an invaluable source of information for job seekers.

She was told in no uncertain terms that this was a “man’s world” in which she would not survive and probably wouldn’t be strong enough to pick up a heavy manual iron.

But she proved them wrong thanks to Dege & Skinner giving her the chance she needed.

Sarah, 57, said; “I was just out of school and knew what I wanted. I thought I might as well aim for the top and wrote to every business in Savile Row.

“I was told on numerous occasions this isn't girls' work.”

The family firm, which was established in 1865, has dressed royalty for decades and holds the Royal Warrant for working on specific and historic uniforms.

More recently, Sarah played a key role in making Prince Harry’s military Blues and Royals Regiment frockcoat for his marriage to Meghan Markle in 2018. She also helped produce Prince George’s page boy tunic for the wedding.

She said: “We were sworn to secrecy. It was surreal, like living like a hermit for six weeks.

“If it got out in the press, we would lose the contract.

“We had false name tickets attached to garments in the workshop.

“I remember on the day of the wedding my husband took me to Broadstairs to relax.

“I poked my head through a pub door and saw it on a big screen and thought ‘he’s worn it’.”

At the King’s Coronation last May she made the military-styled tunic for Prince Louis and the British Army-inspired outfits for Queen Camilla’s four page boys.

A stage outfit for Michael Jackson and shirts for David Bowie have all been created in the basement at No 10 Savile Row, where wealthy customers from the Middle East and America frequent.

Sarah - who has a son Adam, 19, and daughter Jade, 23 - said: “My son thought I was really trendy when I said I’d made a miltary-style piece for Michael Jackson.”

Sarah also works on the distinctive Tudor uniforms of the Yeoman of the Guard, which she describes as “challenging” because of the heavy weight of the material.

In 1993 she gained a scholarship which enabled her to learn metal thread embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework based at Hampton Court.

She received the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust plus a £1,800 grant from King Charles who was then the Prince of Wales.

Over the decades, she has mastered the technical skills of ornate braiding, quilted linings and obscure shapes of military costumes as well as civilian coat making.

She said: “It’s when you see the excitement of others on seeing your work at globally televised events that it hits home what a rareified work environment I’ve been privy to for such a long time.”

She joined the company in August 1983 after the then-managing director Michael Skinner was impressed with her commitment to succeed in the trade.

Her three-year apprenticeship was funded by the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) and she attended weekly classes at the London School of Fashion.

Shortly after starting, she was sent to Portsmouth for three months to make naval uniforms at the time of the Falklands War. It was there her embroidery and sewing skills were enhanced as she learned the art of naval lacing.

She is proud that her Royal Lancers Mess Uniform forms part of a permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

She said: “I still enjoy my job. Every day is different and I'm still learning new skills.

“I have enjoyed researching costumes and visiting museums.

“And I have really enjoyed designing my own clothes. It is still very much a traditional trade - the only real difference is we use steam irons now.”