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A ROYAL visit to a drinks factory was just the tonic for worker Frances Tranter - she told how the Duke of Edinburgh asked if she adds gin to her drink!
The exchange came during a visit by the Queen and her husband to Britvic in Beckton on Thursday.
Frances, 61, of Plaistow, told how Prince Philip asked if she drinks the produce . . . and if she puts gin in her own tipples! "Yes, sir," she joked.
She had presented Her Majesty with a posy. She said it was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
The visit was also a special occasion for worker George Taylor who had met Princess Anne some 25 years ago when she visited the firm's Chelmsford factory.
Showing the Queen a picture of his meeting with the Princess Royal, 57-year-old George told how she remarked: "You had a lot more hair then." He added of this latest royal encounter: "It was terrific."
Greeted by the Lord Lieutenant for Greater London, Sir David Brewer, the Royals met Newham's deputy mayor, Cllr Christine Bowden, who was wearing the same colour outfit as Her Majesty - bright pink!
The VIPs were then introduced to chairman, Gerald Corbett; chief executive, Paul Moody; supply chain director, Martin Rose; director of production, David Eslick, and general manager for the South East, Christopher Spray, before undertaking a tour.
This included meeting shift leader Paul MacBeth who talked through the bottling process while laboratory employee Brett Fox demonstrated carbonation testing.
The Royals made their way through to the factory where they saw manufacturing processes from the gantry.
They walked past the blending machinery where CO2 is mixed with water and other key ingredients. They were greeted by production operator Luke Filipiak who explained the process involved in filling bottles.
The Royals then walked past conveyor belts which take the finished product to the warehouse where they are packed into palates. Production operator Roy Chapman explained the labelling process to them.
It was then on to the packing area where production operator Bob Hirsh explained what happens there.
There was also an opportunity for the visitors to meet employees for each of the product development, engineering, manufacturing and distribution teams.
They then headed outside to unveil a plaque to mark the visit. The firm marked the occasion by making a £500 donation to its charity, Barnardo's.
Mr Spray said: "It was a real honour for us to welcome Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to our Beckton factory.
"We were proud to showcase the great work the team here does and were delighted that Her Majesty was interested in meeting the people who are behind it all."
The visit was the first of three that afternoon to businesses in East London. The Royals also visited Fulton Umbrellas on the Isle of Dogs and the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
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