A new pub in Colchester has been named after the newest royal baby.
The Princess Charlotte bears the name of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second child and oddly sits near the country’s biggest Sainsbury’s store on the new Stane Park leisure development in Stanway.
It is thought to be the first pub in the world to be named after the new princess.
It was hoped the bar staff could pop open a bottle of Champagne when the Princess was born – but it was hit with a two-year planning delay, and has only just started serving punters.
And owners McMullen’s Brewery said it would invite Kate, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince George – and potentially their new arrival due in April 18 – to see what is on offer.
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.
“McMullen’s has 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 newly-built pub serves classic grub like burgers, chicken and curry.
The pub is the second of the brewery’s named after a royal baby with the Prince George recently opening in Milton Keynes.
Local Dave Smith said: “I’m not a Royalist, but I’ve certainly raised a glass or two in there.”
Stane Park, built by Churchmanor Estates, also includes a KFC, Nandos, Starbucks and Bella Italia.
It was first proposed back in 2015 and was refused planning permission by Colchester Borough Council, a decision which the developers successfully appealed against.
Construction work began in July last year, and the leisure park is due to be fully opened by August this year.
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