As part of his visit to the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, King Charles travelled to the 700-year-old Samlesbury Hall and met with Thwaites’ executive chairman, Rick Bailey.
16th February 2026…// Over Thwaites’ display table which included an exclusively made pork pie, beer samples and photographs of Queen Elizabeth II; the pair discussed the Lancashire brewers’ six-long generational family business and heritage, and bonded over chat about ale.
King Charles was most interested in the famous shire horses, when duo Thunder (aged seven) and Regal (aged nine) greeted His Majesty on arrival while pulling a dray – a method Thwaites historically used to deliver its beer.
The King spent some time chatting to horsewoman Beverley Holland, along with colleagues Jonathan Jones and Richard Green.
Rick Bailey said: “It was an honour to be able to showcase Lancashire and the North West to the King on his Royal visit. Thwaites, alongside other local businesses, flew the county’s flag high and we are proud to be able to represent this impressive corner of the United Kingdom.”
It’s not the first time The Royal Family and Thwaites have met – to mark the Silver Jubilee in 1977, Queen Elizabeth II invited shire horses from around the British Isles to join her in Windsor for a special celebratory event, and Thwaites’ Royal and Major made the journey down.
Princess Anne also visited the previous brewery site in Blackburn in 1986 following a £4 million refurbishment.
More recently, Thwaites has also produced limited edition ales to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation – and the King’s Coronation brew even managed to seal the deal of approval from His Majesty himself when he commented on being fond of the bottle design.
Rick added: “As our family business approaches 220 years since its’ foundation next year, the principles on which we run the company, family values, quality, craftsmanship and a warm northern friendliness have ensured that the business goes from strength to strength – even in testing times.”
From its origins as a regional brewer with just 10 public houses, Thwaites has evolved into a collection of over 223 award-winning pubs, hotels and spas, and inns spanning England.
