Prince Andrew gives London pub sign Royal seal of approval
Licensees Alan Monks and Debi Sickelmore wrote to the Prince to ask if a picture of a him could be used as part of plans by owners Greene King to refresh the pub’s external signage.
The office for the Duke, who is fifth in line to the throne, wrote back and confirmed he would be “delighted” for them to do so and agreed that the pub could use a recent portrait by Igor Babailov.
'So pleased'
Sickelmore said: “We were so pleased to get the go-ahead from Prince Andrew and feel very proud that our pub is associated so strongly with our Royal family. It is something I think Londoners will love but will of course be a pull for tourists too.
“There will always be a stool available at the bar for the Prince should he ever feel like popping in for a drink.”
Clive Chesser, business unit director for Greene King pub partners, said: “We have firm family roots at Greene King and so it is a real delight that at one of our proper London pubs we are able to display one of Britain’s much-loved Royal family on our sign with pride.”
Prince Andrew’s portrait now features on the swing sign and the large curved wall plaque which can be seen from some distance. The existing Duke of York pictorial sign has been kept by the pub and will be incorporated into the pub’s décor next time the pub is refurbished.
