A pre-coronation pub visit! Days before Prince William and wife Princess Kate are set to celebrate his father King Charles III’s coronation, they were all smiles at a London pub.
The Prince of Wales, 40, and the Princess of Wales, 41, were photographed at the Dog and Duck eatery on Thursday, May 4, where they met the proprietors and learned a few tricks of the trade.
“Saying a big thank you to the transport and hospitality workers who will be working so hard across the #Coronation weekend 👑,” a post on the couple’s official Instagram account read on Thursday. “A big thank you to @transportforlondon, the team at the 🐕 & 🦆 as well as everyone who came out to say hello.”
The Dog and Duck originally opened in 1897 in the city’s Soho neighborhood, where the likes of Animal Farm author George Orwell, John Constable and Dante Gabriel Rossetti were known to stop by for a pint of ale. Pop star Madonna also once visited the dining establishment, according to the Dog and Duck’s website.
William and Kate, for their part, made a public appearance at the restaurant to greet the owners and staff, as well as learn how to pour a glass of beer. While the former RAF pilot looked dapper in his suit, the Duchess of Cambridge stunned in a red coat and white dress. Kate — who shares three children with her spouse — completed her look with a coordinating handbag and pair of pumps.
The couple arrived at the Dog and Duck by train, taking the London Underground — specifically the Elizabeth Line, which was named for the late Queen Elizabeth II — to the Tottenham Court Road station. Per photos shared by the Waleses’ official Instagram Story, they sat beside a Tube staffer for the duration of the commute.
The twosome’s pub visit comes two days before Charles, 74, officially will be crowned the country’s monarch. His Majesty — who ascended the throne in September 2022 following the death of the late queen — will be sworn in as king on Saturday, May 6, at London’s Westminster Abbey beside wife Queen Consort Camilla.
Both the Duke of Cornwall and Kate are expected to attend the historic occasion. William is even set to present Charles with the Stole Royal and the Robe Royal during the ceremony prior to his father reciting his kingly oath. Kate, for her part, will join her husband and in-laws in a coronation procession that morning alongside children Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, is among the other royals set to attend Charles’ coronation. The 38-year-old Duke of Sussex’s wife, Meghan Markle, however, will not make the trip across the pond. The Bench author, 41, will remain in California with the pair’s two children: Prince Archie, 3, and Princess Lilibet, 23 months. (Archie turns 4 on Saturday.)
“As much as Meghan appreciates the invite to the coronation, she wouldn’t miss her son’s birthday for the world,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly last month. “Despite being the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan is a mom first. She feels very grateful to be included in such a special occasion by the royal family and is glad that Harry can go and show support on behalf of their family. But being the same day as Archie’s birthday, unfortunately, she’s just going to have to miss out on this one.”
The coronation will reunite the estranged brothers for the first time since Elizabeth’s funeral and the release of Harry’s bombshell Spare memoir and Harry & Meghan docuseries. William and the Invictus Games founder — the two sons of Charles and the late Princess Diana — have been at odds since early 2020 when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their duties as senior royals.
According to royal expert Nick Bullen, the siblings haven’t spoken amid the drama. “My understanding is there have been no discussions between Harry and William. That is absolutely radio silence,” the journalist exclusively told Us on April 20. “It’s a very big void.”
Royal reporter Omid Scobie added on Wednesday, May 3, during an appearance on Britain’s This Morning that Harry, however, has had “contact” with Charles.
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Scroll below to see photos from William and Kate’s pub outing:
