Local village 'honoured' by King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to highlight importance of pubs

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 06/02/2026

- 22:02

Their Majesties braved the poor weather to support the local pub

King Charles III and Queen Camilla received a warm welcome at The Sun Inn in Dedham, where they arrived to celebrate local community spirit, sustainability and heritage.

The award-winning establishment in Dedham Vale saw proprietor Piers Baker and his wife Victoria greet the royal visitors, alongside head chef Jack Levine, general manager Kayleigh Dyble and Baker Collective operations manager Louise Wickens.


Their Majesties spent time with an array of invited guests during the engagement.

Those gathered included local volunteers, civic dignitaries, military personnel and representatives from businesses focused on sustainable and regenerative practices.

King Charles

King Charles visited The Sun Inn in Dedham to support local pubs

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His Majesty received a special gift during the visit: a bottle of The Baker Collective Gin, crafted in collaboration with Fishers of Aldeburgh and incorporating Mersea oyster shells.

The distinctive spirit was selected as a nod to the King's well-known appreciation for a classic martini.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla took to the kitchen, where she joined the pub's culinary team in making fresh ravioli by hand.

This activity showcased The Sun Inn's dedication to warm hospitality and its emphasis on sourcing high-quality British ingredients.

The hands-on experience allowed the Queen to engage directly with the establishment's commitment to traditional cooking methods.

Among the notable attendees representing the region's commitment to responsible land management and community values were Danbury Ridge Wines and Thorrington Mill Wines.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla tried her hand at making some of the food that is served at the pub

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Pete Thompson, a regenerative farmer, was also present at the gathering.

These guests embodied the shared principles of sustainable production and thoughtful stewardship of the land that formed a central theme of the royal visit.

The presence of such representatives underscored the connection between local enterprise and environmental responsibility, values that align closely with the King's long-standing interest in sustainable agriculture and rural communities.

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Piers Baker, the pub's owner, expressed his gratitude following the royal engagement: "It was an immense honour to welcome Their Majesties to The Sun Inn and to share with them the people, produce and traditions that mean so much to us."

He added: "The visit was a wonderful celebration of our team, our community, our growers and producers, and highlighted the vital role pubs play for all communities."

Queen Camilla, King Charles

King Charles and Queen Camilla braved the bad weather to support the local pub

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GETTY

Following their time at The Sun Inn, the King and Queen proceeded to the Essex Tea Rooms and the Munnings Museum.

The monarch spent approximately an hour in Dedham, departing around 12.45pm as crowds waved farewell along the High Street.