The King enjoyed a sip of neat gin on his visit to Talbot Yard Food Court in Malton, Yorkshire, this afternoon – and left people in hysterics as he politely, but firmly, declined a chaser of tonic water.
Wearing a smart camel coat as he picked up the shot glass of gin, the King, 74, had a quick sniff of the spirit as the bartender explained it was ‘London dry’.
When the staff member asked if the King wanted ‘a little bit of tonic water’, he replied: ‘I’ll just take this please’, much to the delight of others in the room.
Queen Camilla was among those laughing at her husband’s quip as she shot someone out of shot a knowing look, while the king sipped on the gin.
With the glass still half-full, he put it back on the bar and the bartender topped him up with a little bit of tonic – but the King requested ‘just a drop’.
Following his tasting, His Majesty asked about the flavour profile of the spirit, and the ‘botanical’ taste he had picked up.
In another clip, the King and Queen tasted some banana bread presented to them by schoolchildren in the kitchen of a bakery.
As they looked impressed by the treats, the King asked one of the bakers if they used a type of ‘banana essence’ in their recipes.
Eager to try more sweets, the King and Queen then visited a patisserie where a pastry chef explained the delicious-looking pastries and desserts on display.
The King politely declined a chaser of tonic water as he was offered a shot of gin at a bar in Talbot Yard Food Court in Malton, North Yorkshire today
The King and Queen also visited a patisserie in the Food Court, where they tried some sweet treats and croissants
Their Majesties’ visit to the North Yorkshire town this afternoon marked King Charles’ and Queen Camilla’s first engagement since the official invitation to their coronation was revealed last night.
In the invitation, King Charles sent a clear message to his wife’s detractors – including Prince Harry – that she is at the top in the order of royal precedence by confirming her new title as Queen Camilla, royal experts said.
In Malton, Charles and Camilla were pictured sampling banana bread as they met owners from six artisan food producers housed in Talbot Yard Food Court, including a butcher, baker, gelataria, coffee roastery, distillery and a macaroon maker.
Throngs of excited locals lined up in the market town – which is known as a foodie resort – to greet the royal couple, cheering as their vehicle passed.
Talbot Yard was originally a collection of Grade II Listed buildings constructed in the early 19th Century as coaching accommodation to the nearby Talbot Hotel.
Now known as Talbot Yard Food Court, the disused buildings were converted into a food hub by the owners, the Fitzwilliam Estate, so that visitors can taste, explore and see how produce in Yorkshire is made.
Last night, officials shared an image of the Coronation invitation that will be sent out later this month, which read: ‘The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.’
Royal commentators said the title, which will take hold after the ceremony on May 6, marked the ‘end of a remarkable journey’ for Camilla, who was once depicted as the most hated woman in Britain in the wake of Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
It comes after the Duke of Sussex, 38, branded his stepmother ‘dangerous’ and a ‘villain’ during a publicity blitz for his bombshell memoir Spare earlier this year, accusing her of ‘trading information’ with the press in exchange for positive coverage of herself.
Royal author Phil Dampier told MailOnline: ‘It certainly sends out a message to Harry and everyone else that Camilla is firmly there at the top of the pecking order.’
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