Time for a quick one? Waleses visit pub ahead of big weekend
Couple take the edge off Coronation rehearsals with a pint and meet-and-greet in a Soho public house
‘I’ve not got too much experience of pulling pints. I’m not too bad at drinking them though’
THE Prince of Wales has said the Royal family are “enjoying the practice” of Coronation rehearsals just 48 hours before his father’s crowning.
On a visit to a Soho pub yesterday afternoon, the Prince and Princess spoke with local business owners about their excitement for the upcoming weekend of celebrations.
They went to raise an early toast for the Coronation at the Dog and Duck pub in central London, with the couple taking the Underground to an official engagement for the first time.
To the astonishment of unsuspecting members of the public, they boarded the train at Acton Main Line station to get to Soho. They were handed their Oyster cards by a Palace aide before being greeted by Andy Lord, TFL’S commissioner.
While royal aides said the couple did occasionally travel via the Underground in a private capacity, it is understood to be the first time they travelled to an engagement on it.
While on the Tube, they met with TFL workers to hear about how they’re preparing for the busy weekend ahead.
Upon alighting from the Elizabeth Line’s new Dean Street exit, the Prince and Princess walked to the Dog and Duck in the sunshine, greeting wellwishers while on their way. They then sipped pints of cider with local business owners while talking about Coronation rehearsals.
The Prince pulled the first pint of a special Coronation beer, while the Princess talked about the “fantastic atmosphere” that the celebrations were creating around the country.
“It’s really fun,” she said. “There already seems to be a really fantastic atmosphere”.
The Princess revealed that her three children were deeply immersed in Coronation preparations.
“The children are having their Coronation celebration at school today,” she said.
She also explained that her eldest, Prince George, was a page of honour during the service at Westminster Abbey. Asked if he was excited, she said: “He is actually. Having done a few rehearsals, I think everyone is a bit more relaxed.”
Meanwhile, the Prince, 40, sipped on a pint of Mortimer’s Orchard cider.
“I find you get the best conversations in pubs,” he said. “People are more relaxed. Restaurants you don’t get it. You get it with the food but not the conversation.”
Business owners and managers told the couple that they were expecting a boom in trade this weekend with extended opening hours for the Coronation.
Chris Watts, area manager for Nicholson’s, the pub chain that owns the Dog and Duck, said: “We are going to be making use of the extended hours; some of our pubs will have special music events on.”
Nicholson’s is also marking its 150th anniversary and Mr Watts added: “It’s going to be a weekend of celebrations.”
The Prince was given the honour of pulling the first pint of Kingmaker pale ale, a special Coronation beer brewed for Nicholson’s.
“Expertly done,” Mr Watts said. “Not really,” Prince William replied, adding: “I’ve not got too much experience of pulling pints. I’m not too bad at drinking pints, but pulling pints…”
The pub had been closed to drinkers for the duration of the couple’s visit, however they spent about 20 minutes on a walkabout meeting well-wishers and posing for selfies, including many with tourists visiting the UK for the Coronation.
The Prince told some of the tourists about the Royal family’s involvement in Coronation rehearsals, saying: “We’re enjoying the practice. It’s keeping us busy. Fingers crossed for the weather.”
‘It’s going to be a very busy time but we’re getting there. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row’
“We’ve got a very international crowd here,” he said. “Enjoy the weekend.”
While on the Underground, the Prince asked the TFL staff what the reception to the Elizabeth Line had been since it opened and they told him “everyone loves it”.
The late Queen opened the line almost a year ago.
Speaking after the couple had left the station, Mr Lord said: “It was amazing to welcome them on their first visit on the Elizabeth Line. It’s coming up to the anniversary of the Queen opening it, and they were very impressed with it.”
The couple also met with Carinne Spinola, a train driver, to discuss her career aspirations. Speaking after the conversation, the Princess said: “It’s nice to meet a female train driver, obviously a profession women are keen on getting into. She said the job was advertised on Mumsnet.”
Kensington Palace also invited Francis Bourgeois, a train enthusiast, to ride with the Royal couple as an observer. He has more than a million followers on Instagram, and aides said it was hoped he might bring the experience to a younger audience.
The couple also met David Pearce, a fleet manager, and Maria Serco, a maintenance engineer.
Speaking to Ms Serco about the opening of the Elizabeth Line last year, the Prince said: “I can’t quite believe it has been nearly a year. It’s quite nice to get the chance to see it all, after my grandmother opened it.”
The Prince also asked Mr Grindley: “And how green are we now?” Before adding: “You know I’ve got to ask that question!” He also heard how the line’s trains were electric, and how much of the earth that was dug up to build the line was reused for a nature reserve. “It’s good, it clearly gets thought about now,” he said.
Asking the group of TFL workers which of them would be working this weekend, the Princess added: “Do you think there’s going to be extra pressure on the service during the Coronation weekend? How do you manage that?”
One of the them asked how the Royal family’s preparations were going for the historic occasion, and the Princess replied: “Yes, it’s going to be a very busy time. We’re getting there. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row.”
The family have been conducting formal rehearsals at Westminster Abbey in the last few days ahead of tomorrow’s ceremony.