Prince of Wales adds body to drinks range

Prince Charles is backing a new range of soft drinks whose ingredients include elderflower plucked from the gardens of Highgrove.

Duchy Originals, the company formed by the Prince of Wales in 1990, is launching a soft drinks range which is intended to provide an elegant alternative to wine.

Called Duchy No.1 and Duchy No.3, the herb and fruit blends are sold in wine-style bottles and are available in red and white variations.

“We wanted something you would be proud to put on the table, or use for more formal occasions,” says Mike Cornish, managing director of Duchy Originals.

Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages (CCSB) will distribute the range. Initially, the brand will be sold through independent stores but supermarket and overseas sales are planned.

Prince Charles is known to have been personally involved in developing the new drinks range.

The all-British ingredients for Duchy No. 1 and Duchy No. 3 include raspberries from the Royal Estate at Sandringham and elderflowers from the Duchy Home Farm at Highgrove.

Sales promotion material is illustrated with the Prince of Wales’ own paintings.

The Duchy drinks range is the second launch from the Duchy Original company.

The company sold £1m worth of Oaten and Gingered Biscuits last year and more biscuit launches are planned this year.