Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, visited Camden Market in the first royal visit to the area for over 40 years.

Ham & High: HRH Prince Andrew visits Camden Lock Market on 27.01.16. Pictured here leaving Chin-Chin Labs nitro ice cream shopHRH Prince Andrew visits Camden Lock Market on 27.01.16. Pictured here leaving Chin-Chin Labs nitro ice cream shop (Image: Archant)

The visit, part of the Duke’s entrepreneurship campaign, included a tour of Half Hitch Gin Micro-Distillery in Camden Lock in celebration of Camden’s prominent history in gin distilling.

Mark Holdsworth, owner of Half Hitch, has lived and worked in Camden since he was born. Through providing his gin at events at St James’ and Buckingham Palace he has met the Duke on a number of occasions and encouraged the visit to his distillery.

Mark said: “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to invite The Duke to Camden to look at the way I produce Half Hitch but also to see the thriving environment of Camden Market and to meet some of the other entrepreneurs based at the new Interchange.”

The Duke also visited the new co-working space, Interchange, on his trip, which was recently launched to include more working venues and office facilities in and around the market.

Ham & High: HRH Prince Andrew visits Camden Lock Market on 27.01.16. Pictured here with Mark Holdsworth of Half Hitch Gin who hosted the visit, inside Chin-Chin Labs Nitro Ice Cream shop.HRH Prince Andrew visits Camden Lock Market on 27.01.16. Pictured here with Mark Holdsworth of Half Hitch Gin who hosted the visit, inside Chin-Chin Labs Nitro Ice Cream shop. (Image: Archant)

The visit marked recognition of the market’s rich business history and special cultural heritage as the birthplace of many international companies such as Vivienne Westwood and Innocent Smoothies.