The Duke has always been partial to a drop or two – and Harveys Brewery bosses are hoping he indulges this afternoon.

But sadly the Queen is not expected to sink a pint of the brown stuff.

Harveys’ head brewer Miles Jenner said beer would be “on the table”

throughout the tour, just in case of a royal request.

He said: “I know the Duke of Edinburgh is very partial to Harveys. He’s drunk it on several occasions.

“We’d be delighted if they both wished to try it – but it’s not something that we’d necessarily encourage.”

During the visit, the Queen will watch as the brewers start work on a new beer, an Elizabethan ale.

She will be shown around by Mr Jenner and Hamish Elder, from the seventh generation of the Harvey family.

Mr Jenner said staff felt a “tremendous sense of pride” at being chosen by the Palace to take part.

He said: “We all have a great desire to make a good impression. I think people associate us with Lewes and I think we have been here a long time.

“It’s a family business and it’s very much part of Sussex. We’re just so happy to have the Queen here for the first time in decades.”

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