The Duchess of Edinburgh has opened a UK winery co-run by global champagne firm Taittinger in a unique collaboration.
Duchess Sophie joined co-founders Patrick McGrath MW and Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger in Chilham, Kent, today at the official opening ceremony.
The vineyard Domaine Evremond was founded in 2015 and became the first time that a major Champagne house had invested in land in the United Kingdom with the ambition of producing a top-quality sparkling wine.
At the event, the first edition of Domaine Evremonds Classic Cuvée was presented by The Taittinger family - who have been involved in Champagne House for nearly a century.
It comes after it was revealed that the Duchess is doubling her number of royal engagements amid the Kings cancer treatment and Kate Middletons slow return to duties.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has opened the Domaine Evremond Winery
The Duchess, left, at the opening of the winery on September 26 in Canterbury, England
From left to right: Vitalie Taittinger, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Patrick McGrath
The trio unveil the plaque at the opening ceremony of the UK winery in Kent
The vineyard Domaine Evremond was founded all the way back in 2015
McGrath, the Founder and CEO of Hatch Mansfield, takes a stroll with Sophie
The Duchess also revealed a commemorative plaque which was laid at the entrance to the winery where guests like The Lord Lieutenant of Kent and The Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy were also in attendance.
On the opening, Patrick McGrath MW said: Domaine Evremond has been more than 10 years in the making.
It has been an incredible and exciting journey for all the team, and the driving force throughout has always been that of friendship.
Vitalie Taittinger added: I feel blessed to have inherited this amazing adventure from my father, along with the friendship at its core.
We would not be where we are today without Patricks incredible hard work bringing the vision for Domaine Evremond to life, cementing the many layers of Anglo-French history and friendship behind this project.
The Domaine Evremonds Classic Cuvée will be released for sale in spring 2025.
The winery is a unique partnership between Taittinger, one of Frances best-known houses, and their UK partner, Hatch Mansfield.
The Duchess of Edinburgh smells one of the wines during a visit to the vineyard
This is the first time that a major Champagne house has invested in land in the United Kingdom
The site is made up of 125 hectares of land, including 60 hectares of vineyards
On the opening, Patrick McGrath, pictured with Sophie, said: Domaine Evremond has been more than 10 years in the making
Sophie and Vitalie Taittinger share an embrace during the official opening
The Domaine Evremonds Classic Cuvée will be released for sale in spring 2025
Vitalie Taittinger said: I feel blessed to have inherited this amazing adventure from my father, along with the friendship at its core
It marks the first time a Champagne house has invested directly in English sparkling wine
The winery is a unique partnership between Taittinger, one of Frances best-known houses, and their UK partner, Hatch Mansfield
The Cellar Door will open to the public when the wine is released in spring 2025
The Duchess recently revealed she is doubling her number of royal engagements amid the Kings cancer treatment
McGrath said: It has been an incredible and exciting journey for all the team, and the driving force throughout has always been that of friendship
It marks the first time a Champagne house has invested directly in English sparkling wine.
The site is made up of 125 hectares of land, including 60 hectares of vineyards, and a state of the art winery - which promises to have sustainability at its fore.
The winery is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and had its first vines planted by Taittinger in 2017.
The Cellar Door will open to the public when the wine is released in spring 2025.