Pub invites couples getting married on Royal Wedding day to raise a toast

A Wokingham pub is inviting couples getting married on the same day as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Saturday, 19 May) to toast their own nuptials at the pub.

The Dog & Duck in Emmbrook has complimentary bottles of fizz on ice for newlyweds who share the Royal Wedding date. The pub is also offering any couple called Meghan and Harry or Henry and Rachel (the royal bride and groom’s official first names) getting married on the same day an overnight stay and three-course dinner.

Mark Gray, general manager of the Dog & Duck, said: “The 19^th May is a special date not only for Prince Harry and Meghan, but for many other local couples who will also be tying the knot and we want to help them celebrate their future happiness.”

He added: “The first five couples to contact us and bring in their marriage certificate to the pub will receive a bottle of fizz. We also hope there is another Meghan and Harry or Henry and Rachel out there to claim the fantastic overnight stay.”

The pub is gearing up to help customers celebrate the Royal Wedding in style and are launching their British and American themed celebrations from 1 May, which will run until the big day itself.

Harry’s Hampers

The pub, which reopened last November following a major makeover, will be offering ‘Harry’s Hampers’ which blend traditional British teatime favourites with treats inspired by the bride’s homeland.

Among hamper goodies will be Coronation chicken sliders; smoked English Cheddar and homemade chutney sandwiches; leek, spinach and sweet potato quiche and BBQ pulled pork Scotch egg. Sweet treats include English strawberry Victoria sponge, maple and pecan pie and mini jam doughnuts.

Customers will be able to toast the royal couple with quintessentially British Hendrick’s gin teapot cocktails called the ‘Wedding Cake’ and ‘The Ginger Prince’ – which is crafted with gin, fresh lime juice, raspberry jam and ginger beer.

Hooray Harry! commemorative ale

The Dog & Duck, which dates back to the 1700s, is also offering a limited edition beer named after the royal groom called Hooray Harry. The 4.1% ABV easy drinking ale is brewed by Henley based brewer and pub operator Brakspear who own the pub. The beer, which is exclusively available in selected Brakspear pubs, is a marriage of British and American hops and has, appropriately, a ‘rusty red’ colour.

The Queen’s Oak in Finchampstead will also be stocking the special beer.

Party time

The pub will be hosting a ‘Right Royal Toast’ party on Friday, 18 May, offering British and American themed food specials and live music featuring covers from British and American bands.

The Dog & Duck’s Gray said: “We hope our delicious hampers, teapot cocktails and commemorative beer will help get people in celebratory mood for the Royal Wedding. We look forward to customers enjoying these in the lead up to this exciting national celebration and on the day itself when people can watch the wedding here.”

The pub will also be screening the FA Cup final on the Royal Wedding Day.

Gray added: “It is going to be an exciting weekend with a great atmosphere guaranteed at the pub.”

* To claim a free bottle of prosecco, couples getting married on 19 May 2018 should email i[email protected] with ‘I’m Getting Married on 19 May’ in the subject line and provide their name, address and phone number. Couples called Meghan and Harry or Henry and Rachel who also share the Royal Wedding date should also email [email protected] with ‘We are called Harry & Meghan’ in the subject line and provide contact details. Couples must also produce a marriage certificate when visiting the pub to claim their prize. The overnight stay with three-course dinner prize can be taken at any of Brakspear’s managed pubs with rooms. Prizes must be claimed by 19 June 2018.