The Essex Rose Tea House in Dedham was buzzing with excitement as King Charles and Queen Camilla filled the air with laughter and a very royal sweetness.
Staff couldn’t hide their smiles as the couple walked around the tea room, shaking hands, chatting about the team’s dedication and asking how long they had been part of the community centre.
In the center of the room, a spectacular book-shaped cake marked the occasion with the inscription: “On the occasion of 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 scold and Charles responding with uproarious laughter.
The couple set out to meet almost 100 special guests and take the time to learn about their work.
Essex Wildlife Trust and PACE Manningtree, focused on environmental action, received particularly warm handshakes.
Rich Yates, chief executive of the Trust, said: “The King has been a leader on the environment for 50 years. It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to meet him.”
Queen Camilla met representatives of Next Chapter, an anti-domestic abuse charity born out of Colchester Women’s Aid in 1977.
Workers shared how busy the charity has been and thanked it for its advocacy.
“I think that’s why I brought it up,” the Queen mused. “The more you get people talking about it, the better.”
