The Essex Rose Tea House in Dedham was abuzz as King Charles and Queen Camilla filled the air with laughter and very regal sweetness.
Staff couldn’t hide their smiles as the couple walked through the tea room, shaking hands, discussing the team’s dedication and asking how long they had been part of the community centre.
At the heart of the room, a spectacular book-shaped cake celebrated the occasion with the inscription “Marking the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla. 25 years at the Essex Rose in Dedham. 140 years of jam making at Tiptree.”
Watching the royals cut the cake was pure joy, especially with Camilla pretending to growl and Charles responding with booming laughter.
The couple made a point of meeting nearly 100 special guests and taking the time to discover their work.
Essex Wildlife Trust and PACE Manningtree, focused on environmental action, received particularly warm handshakes.
Rich Yates, CEO of the Trust, said: “The King has been a leader in the environmental field for 50 years. It is a real privilege to have the chance to meet him.”
Queen Camilla met representatives from Next Chapter, a domestic violence charity that grew out of Colchester Women’s Aid in 1977.
Workers shared how busy the charity has been and thanked her for her awareness work.
“I think that’s really why I brought it up,” the Queen mused. “The more we get people talking, the better.”
