Camilla told a pub landlord she and Prince Charles might pop in for a drink next time they’re in Chester – but he’s worried about accidentally giving them the brush off.

Mike and Christina Mercer, landlord and landlady of The Albion, got talking to the Duchess of Cornwall after being invited to her official residence, along with about 60 others, because of their long-standing support for the War Memorials Trust.

Camilla, who is the trust’s patron, shook their hands and had a chat.

Mike, a well known Chester character, explained: “She did say they might just call in one day. And I had this vision that I’m upstairs having my dinner when one of the staff comes up and says this couple downstairs want to have a word with you and me telling them to ‘bog off, I’m having my tea!’. Then I go downstairs later on someone says ‘you’ll never believe it , but Charles and Camilla were in earlier’.”

The War Memorials Trust is close to Mike’s heart because he has a passion for the Great War period and the pub is festooned with memorabilia from the era.

Mike, 74, landlord of The Albion for more than 40 years, said Christina really enjoyed the occasion even if it was ‘quite surreal’.

“All of a sudden, possibly the future Queen of England is standing in front of you saying ‘Hello, how are you and where do you come from?”

This year is the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War with related events expected to take place at the alehouse famed for its home-made food in ‘un-trench-like portions’. But Mike explained that times were hard for many pubs including The Albion.

“Nobody is indispensable but it would be sad to see the demise of The Albion in the centenary year of the Great War. It’s a case of: use us or lose us!”