Prince William and his aunt Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh let loose as they raised a toast by sampling local gin and cider at the Royal Cornwall Show today
Prince William enjoyed a booze and pasty fuelled visit to the Royal Cornwall Show alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh. The Prince of Wales, who is also Duke of Cornwall, joked that “everyone remembers their first rattler” when offered a cider.
But he jokingly turned his nose up at the zero per cent alcohol option he was initially offered, and asked for the proper stuff instead. Earlier at a gin stand he joked he could “see what today’s going to be like” and teased Sophie. They both arrived and, after being greeted, were taken into a food and drink tent to hear about local produce.
They went first to a chutney stand and then to the gin stall as William said: “We’ve come from the chutneys straight into booze.” They were shown a number of gins before each then being given one to try. William joked: I can see what today’s going to be like.”
After a bit more talking, he caught the Duchess going for another sip and he joked to her: “You’re not allowed to finish it. You’ve got to watch her.” Sophie responded: “He’s learnt from the best.”
William then joked back: “I’ve been caught out with whisky a few too many times. I think I can do that and then oh no I couldn’t.” He and Sophie were also given a pasty by Ferguson Miller, 45, Amelia Jones, 25, and Alan Anderson, 69, of Anns Pasties.
William said: “Ah the pasties arrived! They’re hot as well. There’s been a few people I passed on the way here with their pasties ready to go. Too good. I’m going to save this for my lunch. Trying to talk and eat is a nightmare.” They then moved to cider stand Healeys Cyder Farm, after stopping off to pet a dog.
William said: “Look at the Rattler selection, ah definitely I’m happy about that.” Head of hospitality Laura Clerehugh, 36, said “I was going to say, you’ve had a rattler.” William responded: “Everyone remembers where they were when they had their first Rattler I can tell you that. You remember the first, you don’t remember the last.”
He then asked about the “zero” on the bottle, and when told that it meant zero alcohol he put the cup down and said: “Oh no, no, no. I need original. Someone bring out the big guns.” He also asked if Scrumpy was their, and when they said it was he said: “Love Scrumpy. That was a big fan a long time ago. Everyone remembers Scrumpy.”
Laura said afterwards: “It’s great isn’t it. Having a royal visit, the excitement, bringing people into the county, celebrating the county, showing off all the amazing food and drink we make.”
The Prince and Duchess arrived to loud cheers and were welcomed by Cornwall Cllr John Thomas, Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan, North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire, Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association (RCAA) chair Sir Ferrers Vyvyan BT., and RCAA CEO Mark Stoddart.
The Prince joked to Sir Ferrers: “You’re dressed for all eventualities. Better be safe than sorry.” The show enjoyed sunshine today, after downpours yesterday. They went straight into the food and farming tent together and then went off to different engagements.
The Duchess of Edinburgh went to see the Girl Guides, which she is patron of and asked about their work helping at the show. She joked about them using a paper system at the show, saying it was best and adding: “You’d end up having to revert back to it anyway, when the wifi goes down.”
She asked about their volunteers and said it was “fantastic”. She was told about the different jobs they help with, including wristbands. She then spoke to a number of the young girls and joked they must all have “sore feet” by the end of the day of the show. One girl told her she had done 7,937 steps yesterday.
Sophie also said to them: “You’re actually still at school at the moment are you? Cornwall Show is a really good thing for the county so the school gives you the day off yeah?” One girl said she had an INSET day, to which Sophie responded: “Oh that’s lucky.”
She also spoke with representatives at LEAF, which she is also a patron of, before moving to see cows, pigs and sheep. She handed a trophy to the Beef Team of Five Supreme for their winning cows. She tickled one pigs foot and said “wakey wakey” when she peered over into one stye that had a sleeping pig.
And she joked to a dog in the next one: “You’re not a pig. I don’t care what they say, you’re not a pig.” When she watched a pig competition, she joked “needs musts” when one started urinating.
She said to one girl who helped groom a prize-winning sheep: “They are beautiful. Very lovely. You have done a great job. I hope you are pleased with yourself. They are looking really spectacular.” Prince William and the Duchess of Edinburgh then signed the visitor’s book. They then shook lots of hands before leaving.
The pair enjoyed another day out together in June 2023 at The Royal Foundation’s screening of Rhino Man hosted by United for Wildlife. At the time, Kensington Palace said Sophie was “delighted to join the Prince of Wales at the event this evening to show her support for United for Wildlife,” which he created in 2013.
Cameras also caught a sweet moment between the pair last year at Trooping the Colour in June 2024, when Sophie put her hand on William’s back as the royal family left the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
