Princess Charlotte gets an Essex pub named after her

Drinkers can raise a toast to Princess Charlotte in the first pub ever named after the Royal toddler.

The bespoke boozer in Colchester, Essex, has just started serving punters and has proved a hit with regulars. 

It was hoped the bar staff could pop a cork of Champagne when the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child was born – but it was hit with a two-year planning delay.  

McMullen’s Brewery, who own the pub, said it would invite Kate, William, Charlotte, and George to see what’s on offer. 

The Princess Charlotte in Colchester, Essex, is the first pub named after The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child

It was due to open just after she was born but was hit by a two-year planning delay

It was due to open just after she was born but was hit by a two-year planning delay

Princess Charlotte has a busy month ahead as she is due to start nursery today. Luckily, owner McMullen's Brewery said it would invite William, Kate, George and Charlotte along to visit

Princess Charlotte has a busy month ahead as she is due to start nursery today. Luckily, owner McMullen’s Brewery said it would invite William, Kate, George and Charlotte along to visit

The pub is the second of the brewery's named after a royal baby with the Prince George recently opening in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

The pub is the second of the brewery’s named after a royal baby with the Prince George recently opening in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

The history of Royal pub names 

Naming pubs after royalty has a long history in the UK 

From 1393 pubs were ordered to hang a sign outside to make them easily visible. Many chose to hang signs with  symbols on, as most people were illiterate. One of these signs was the white hart, the personal badge of the king at the time, Richard II

Others adopted the crown symbol as it meant they would not have to change their sign with the death of each ruler – and it is now the second most common pub name in the country

Another popular name is the Royal Oak, which is named after the tree Charles II hid inside to escape from Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the Battle of Worchester in 1651. Naming a pub after the royalty was a way of demonstrating loyalty – particularly after the restoration of the monarchy

Other Royal names include the Prince of Wales (with many pubs being renamed to the Princess of Wales after Diana’s death), the Queen Victoria, the King’s Arms, the Queen’s Head, and the Prince Regent  

Managing director Heydon Mizon said: ‘We aim to treat every guest like Royalty at the Princess Charlotte and this would of course include the Princess herself. 

‘The pub had been due to open shortly after Princess Charlotte was born, the baby wasn’t at the mercy of a lengthy planning delay and so arrived on time, the pub however was significantly overdue.’

The pub is the second of the brewery’s named after a royal baby with the Prince George recently opening in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

He added: ‘McMullen’s have been brewing beer, operating pubs and looking after our pubs for over 190 years.

‘With this in mind, we try to select names that are interesting, relevant to the time or place that a pub is built and that will stand the test of time.’

Sporting a regal pub sign inspired by The Royal Coat of Arms the establishment stocks traditional English ales.

Despite its high-class name the humble new-built boozer serves classic pub grub like burgers, chicken and curry. 

Local Dave Smith said: ‘I’m not a Royalist, but I’ve certainly raised a glass or two in there.’ 

Managing director Heydon Mizon said: 'We try to select names that are interesting, relevant to the time or place that a pub is built and that will stand the test of time'

Managing director Heydon Mizon said: ‘We try to select names that are interesting, relevant to the time or place that a pub is built and that will stand the test of time’

He added: 'We aim to treat every guest like Royalty at the Princess Charlotte and this would of course include the Princess herself'

He added: ‘We aim to treat every guest like Royalty at the Princess Charlotte and this would of course include the Princess herself’

The tot is due to start at the Willcocks Nursery School where fees are £9,150 a year for morning sessions and £5,400 for afternoons

The tot is due to start at the Willcocks Nursery School where fees are £9,150 a year for morning sessions and £5,400 for afternoons

With so many pubs named after royalty, it's no surprise some members of the family are partial to a good pint. Here the late Queen Mother enjoyed a pint in the Queen's Head pub in London

With so many pubs named after royalty, it’s no surprise some members of the family are partial to a good pint. Here the late Queen Mother enjoyed a pint in the Queen’s Head pub in London

During a visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin in 2011 the Queen eyed up a pint poured by Master Brewer Fergal Murray

During a visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin in 2011 the Queen eyed up a pint poured by Master Brewer Fergal Murray

Here His Royal Highness Prince Charles pours a pint while visiting Poundbury, Dorset, in 2002

Here His Royal Highness Prince Charles pours a pint while visiting Poundbury, Dorset, in 2002

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, enjoy their pints at the Old Western Saloon in 2005 during a visit to Point Reyes Station in California

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, enjoy their pints at the Old Western Saloon in 2005 during a visit to Point Reyes Station in California



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk