A tiny village shop and post office with a new home in a 19th century pub received the royal seal of approval yesterday.

Prince Charles, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, called in at the White Horse pub in Stourpaine, near Blandford, to cast a discerning eye across a range of essential goods, and to try a local ale.

Landlord Chris Sargent welcomed the shop and post office to his pub after the neighbouring premises closed last year.

“Some of the customers asked if we are by royal appointment now. I said I’ll be charging an extra 5p a pint, to which they were not amused,” he joked.

The Prince and Duchess arrived in a dark blue Jaguar car and were greeted by the Duchess’ sister, Annabel Elliot, who lives in the village.

Introducing the Prince to the landlord, she quipped: “This is Chris – he’s the reason we’re here.”

The Royal couple mingled with villagers outside the pub, where the Prince asked locals how the shop, which sells bread, milk, cereals, fresh produce, and even has a delicatessen, had been received.

Tanya Thorne and her husband, Philip, were among those with whom the Prince chatted.

“I’ve lived her all my life. When the shop closed, it was a big blow to the village. We had to catch a bus into Blandford to buy a pint of milk,” said Tanya.

Philip added: “Everybody comes here now. Some people come here two or three times a day it seems. It’s brought life back to the village.”

The Royal couple toured the tiny shop where the Duchess bought a jar of local honey, while the Prince sampled half a pint of Firkin Fox in the bar – a summer seasonal ale brewed three miles away at Hall and Woodhouse in Blandford.

Managing director Anthony Woodhouse said the brewery had a number of pubs offering additional community services, including one from which NHS prescriptions are collected.

John Longden, campaign director of the Pub is the Hub initiative, travelled from Yorkshire to present the Prince with the group’s new report and thanked him for his support.

Villagers have the service of a postal counter on Tuesday and Thursday after the district council asked Chris to open an outreach service six months ago. He thanked shop and post office staff for their hard work.