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Here’s why people think Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will serve Chapel Down wines at their wedding
Rumours abound that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will serve wines from Kentish vineyard Chapel Down at their wedding later this year.
The story first appeared in the Mail, which claimed that “unconfirmed local reports” suggested that the couple will follow the lead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who singled out the Kentish winery for their own nuptials.
Kensington Palace declined to comment on the imminent drinks order, while a spokesperson from Chapel Down told the drinks business the winery won’t discuss hearsay.
The rumour appears to be rooted in the royal family’s relatively new taste for English wine.
It was widely reported that Prince William and Catherine Middleton served Chapel Down’s award-winning Rosé Brut at the reception of their royal wedding in 2011 to celebrate British producers.
The Kentish winery was also the sponsor of one of the races at Ascot’s Festival of Food and Wine Raceday last year. Some 5,000 bottles of its English sparkling wine were sold to punters at Royal Ascot last summer.
Chapel Down is one of the breakout stars of England’s wine market, and is beginning to grab the attention of big investors. Yesterday New York-headquartered investment company BlackRock, announced it has acquired a 5.79% share in the Kent-based winery.
Typically, Chapel Down’s bottles of still Bacchus retail at around £13, while a bottle of Brut fetches between £19 and £25.
The royal household announced in December that the royal pair will marry on Saturday 19 May 2018.
The wedding is tipped to be give a big bonus to the UK’s on-trade drinks sector, as earlier this week the UK Government announced plans to extend pub opening hours over the weekend of the royal wedding.
Speaking at the time of the announcement, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “The Royal Wedding will be a time of national celebration, and we want everyone to be able to make the most of such an historic occasion.”
“I hope that this relaxation of the licensing hours will allow people to extend their festivities and come together to mark what will be a very special moment for the country.”