The pub serving pints for a Prince: Charles makes unscheduled stop for a stout after regulars invited him in

With its peeling paint and boarded-up windows, the Wellington Vaults is hardly the sort of exclusive club that  might entice the Prince of Wales.

But to the amazement of his minders – and the delight of locals – he interrupted his packed itinerary to down a half with regulars at the local boozer.

The Prince of Wales enjoys a swift half with the regulars at an impromtu pit stop in Toxteth

No complaints: Charles appears to enjoyed the well earned stout after a busy tour of a local community centre

Stout chap: Charles is known for his love of a fine glass of wine or a cherry brandy but it seems a a strong beer was the wiser choice

Locals welcome the Prince with open arms and appear to approve of his choice of tipple

The Wellington Vaults where Prince Charles broke off his busy schedule to meet locals

Charles had just left The Florence Institute, a community centre in Toxteth known locally as The  Florrie, which has re-opened thanks to a £6.4million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Barmaid Gaynor Jones, 46, said: 'We were just watching Prince Charles coming out of The Florrie and some people outside shouted, "Charlie, come over here for  a pint".

 

'He just started laughing and then walked over and came in!'

Perhaps sensibly, instead of ordering a cherry brandy or red wine, which are said to be his tipples of choice, he asked for a stout – which he then shared with Florrie chairman Denise Bernard.
Miss Jones added: 'He asked  me how I was and ordered half  a Guinness. 'Everyone who was here was  surprised and really made-up.'
Clearly enjoying his unscheduled visit, he reportedly asked Miss  Bernard: 'Shall we share one? You have some first.'

She replied: 'Oh my God, Prince Charles is going to be bevied because of me! 'This has been the most exciting day of my life since having my baby.'

The Prince of Wales had been visiting a local Toxteth community centre called The Florence Institute

The Prince was in Toxteth to mark the re-opening of The Florence Institute which had received a £6.4million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund

Clearly enjoying his visit, the Prince earlier received thunderous applause at the Florrie when he unveiled the plaque to commemorate his visit and the reopening. 
Young dancers from The Works Academy performed for the Prince and he was delighted when one presented him with a baby-grow printed with the words ‘Grandad’s little workie’.