The Royal Family’s increasingly visible support for British pubs has been described as a “very good move” as Prince William and King Charles use their public platforms to highlight a tradition under pressure from closures, rising costs and political battles over business rates.
Prince William spoke last month about his affection for pubs during a visit to Scotland, saying he “grew up in pubs” and “absolutely” loves them, describing them as places where people can properly connect, and communities can come together.
The Prince of Wales made the comments while visiting the community-run Gothenburg pub in Fallin near Stirling with Catherine, where the couple met staff and locals and heard about the role the venue plays as a social hub.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams exclusively told GB News that the pub focus is smart because it speaks directly to community life while also shining a spotlight on a sector facing real financial strain.
“I think it’s a very good move,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.
“The community aspect of it is very important so far as the Royal Family are concerned.”
His comments come as pubs remain in the national spotlight amid continued warnings about closures.
Recent analysis has suggested an average of one pub a day was lost across England and Wales during 2025, underlining concerns about the sustainability of many venues.
Royal Family support for pubs praised as a ‘very good move’ amid national concern
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Against that backdrop, the Government has moved in recent weeks to announce targeted support aimed at easing the burden of business rates for pubs and live music venues.
Ministers have said eligible venues will receive a 15 per cent discount on their new business rates bill from April 1, with bills then frozen in real terms for a further two years. The average saving for a pub has been widely reported as around £1,650.
Mr Fitzwilliams said this is exactly where royal involvement can be effective without straying into party politics, by elevating a national institution that many people feel is being squeezed.
“Anything the royals do, they can give publicity to a good cause,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.
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The Princess of Wales and Prince William in a pub last month
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“Hundreds of pubs have been closing, and I think that is really concerning.”
He added that pubs have always played a wider role than the bar.
“They are community greeting spots,” Mr Fitzwilliams said. “They use rooms in pubs for celebrations and meetings and all of that sort of thing. And it’s also the convivial side of it.”
The King and Queen reinforced that message last week when they visited Dedham near Colchester in Essex.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a tea party at the Essex Rose Teahouse during the royal visit to Dedham
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During the engagement, Charles and Camilla met local community figures and businesses, including “local heroes”, at The Sun Inn.
The visit was closely watched as a continuation of a wider pattern of royal engagements that spotlight everyday British traditions and community infrastructure, especially where there is national concern about decline.
Mr Fitzwilliams also noted that pubs have deep roots in British life, tracing their origins back to Roman Britain.
“We take pubs for granted because it’s been with us so long,” Mr Fitzwilliams said.
He also stressed that the Royal Family must remain above party politics while still engaging with issues that matter to everyday life.
“They have to keep away from party politics, not politics itself,” Mr Fitzwilliams said. “People often confuse the two.”