Global Courant 2023-05-04 19:18:14
Prince William and his wife Kate visited a London pub on Thursday and drank a pint of Kingmaker ahead of the coronation of his father, King Charles III.
The Prince and Princess of Wales stopped by Dog and Duck in Soho’s entertainment district to chat with representatives of the hospitality industry, which is set for a top weekend on Saturday thanks to the coronation.
William, the heir to the throne, drew the very first pint of Kingmaker, a pale ale brewed to celebrate the coronation.
“You always have the best conversations in pubs – you never know who you’re going to meet,” he said.
The 40-year-old prince was handed a full cider glass, joking that he should watch how much he drank and “get back into work mode”.
Kate, meanwhile, said excitement for the coronation was “already starting to build” – and that their eldest child, Prince George, was “excited” about the ceremony after taking part in rehearsals.
George, aged nine, is second in line to the throne. On Saturday, he will be one of eight pages of honor during the service, taking part in a procession through the nave and helping to hold the robes.
William and Kate chatted with well-wishers outside and shook hands with members of the public.
Originally built in 1734, The Dog and Duck is one of the oldest pubs in Soho.
To get there, the couple took their first ride on the Elizabeth Line, the new rail line that runs under the British capital, named after William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died last September after 70 years on the throne.
They made three stops, chatting with transportation workers about plans for the weekend, when tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the city.
When asked about the preparations for the coronation, Kate replied: “Yeah, it’s going to be a busy time. We’ll get there. I still feel like we’re trying to get ducks in a row.”
William, like his son George, will play an active role in the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The heir will help his father don the 1821 Imperial Mantle – a floor-length mantle made of gold dust and weighing at least three kilograms.
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