Gin was firmly in the spotlight during a royal visit to Essex earlier this month, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla sampled a specially created local gin while visiting the village of Dedham on 5 February 2026.

During a stop at The Sun Inn, the King and Queen were presented with a signature gin developed in partnership with Gin Guild members Fishers Gin of Aldeburgh. The bespoke expression features Mersea oyster shells, a distinctive local botanical chosen to reflect the coastal character of the region.

The gin was offered to His Majesty as a nod to his well-known appreciation of a classic martini, and the moment was widely reported across both local and national media coverage of the visit.

The engagement at The Sun Inn formed part of a broader programme celebrating local enterprise and community life.

The Sun Inn’s owner Piers Baker said:

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

While at the pub, the royal couple met with local business owners and community representatives, and Queen Camilla also spent time in the kitchen, helping to prepare fresh ravioli with the team.

The prominent media attention surrounding the visit, and the inclusion of a locally produced gin, offered a high-profile moment for British gin and the creativity of distillers working closely with their local landscapes and communities.