The Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they joined commuters on the Elizabeth Line to visit a tiny pub in central London. Kate and William chatted with Transport for London staff as they headed to Soho, the popular London neighbourhood filled with restaurants, bars and shops. There, they joined staff at the Dog & Duck pub to hear how they are preparing ahead of the historic royal event.
At the Dog & Duck, which is one of the pubs owned by the Nicholson group, Kate and William also marked its 150th anniversary.
The pub – built in 1734 on the site of the Duke of Monmouth’s home – is drenched in history not just for its longevity.
Over the decades, it has given hospitality to several famous patrons including old Etonian and author George Orwell.
The writer reportedly headed to the pub to drink a celebratory glass of absinthe after his satirical novel Animal Farm was chosen for the US Book of the Month Club.
Among other famous clients of the pub were also artists John Constable and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Years before today’s royal visit, the Dog & Duck had already attracted headlines in the early 2000s, after pop diva Madonna revealed on Jonathan Ross’s BBC talk show she had become a regular client and had grown fond of the Timothy Taylor’s Landlord ale on sale at the time.
Speaking in the 2000, the same year she married British director Guy Ritchie, Madonna said: “I have learned to love ale. Timothy Taylor’s is the best real ale.
“We go to the Dog and Duck, and with my flat cap drawn over my face I order a pint and a half of Timothy Taylor’s.”
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Kate and William, who travelled to the pub by London Tube, also met representatives from other hospitality and recreation businesses in the area to hear how they, much like Nicholson’s pubs, are planning to host a number of events over the weekend to celebrate the Coronation.
The Coronation is expected to give pubs and bars across the UK a £120 million boost.
Pubs and breweries alone are anticipating to pour some 62 million pints between May 5 and May 8, according to figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
Between Friday and Monday, pubs will be allowed to push current normal hours back and stay open until 1am.
Many are gearing up to host celebratory events, including tea parties and karaoke, as well as present their customers with special menus.
Bars and pubs aren’t the only venues expected to benefit from the coming days of celebrations.
The British economy as a whole is set to see a huge boost of more than £8billion over the upcoming weekend, with people expected to spend £3.22 billion more than they do during a typical May bank holiday, which normally amounts to £4.80bn.
