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For something custom-made, the Royal Family will most likely head to Gieves & Hawkes at No. 1 Savile Row. The tailor has been at this prestigious location since 1912, but was in business much earlier, with George III the first monarch to award it a warrant in the early 19th century. Today it holds three, from the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince Philip, and has even supplied to royalty overseas. When one looks the part of a royal, then one can eat like a royal. Fortnum & Mason is a huge food department store in Piccadilly, formed in 1707, with warrants dating back 150 years – co-founder William Fortnum was even a footman in Queen Anne’s royal household. The Queen may get most of her food shopping here, but for something special she may visit Prestat, a chocolatier located nearby, established in 1902. The company, also a favourite of author Roald Dahl, sends the Queen a handmade 4lb chocolate Easter egg every year,
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be her nephew, with a shop in Mayfair. This will be as she peers through spectacles provided by Robert Pope, from its store near Harley Street, granted a warrant in 2006.
In fact, the royals must spend a lot of time in Piccadilly, as there are other businesses with warrants nearby. For something to read, there is Hatchards, founded in 1767 and the oldest bookstore in the UK, with Oscar Wilde and Lord Byron among its previous customers. Or for sporting goods, head to Lillywhites, with equipment for every conceivable royal pastime, including polo and skiing.
Exploring this list of vendors may seem like hard work, but a visit to Jack Barclay London in Mayfair could take some of the strain away. As the world’s oldest and largest Bentley dealership, open since 1927, this is where to get your hands on any of the current offerings from the warrant-equipped car manufacturer, although a replica of the Queen’s State Limousine is probably off-limits. The alternative would be to relax at the Ritz-Carlton in Piccadilly, which became the first hotel to receive a Royal Warrant in 2002, granted by Prince Charles for its banqueting and catering services. If its famous ‘Tea at the Ritz’ is that good, then I know which one I’d be choosing.
If working up a sweat is called for, then it is wise to have some custommade scents for the cool-down afterwards. Floris is located on Jermyn Street just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, and offers a wide selection of perfumes and other products. It received its first warrant in 1800, and some believe that the sealed-off tunnels in its basement may actually lead directly to Buckingham Palace. The Duchess of Cambridge bought some Night Scented Jasmine from the store earlier in the year, while its records show that in 1959 a bottle of its Rose Geranium was sold to Marilyn Monroe. But the royals never forget their suppliers, and often send the vendors thank-you notes – no doubt written on personalised stationery from Smythson of New Bond Street, established in 1887. It is even possible to picture the Queen writing these, sitting on bespoke furniture created by designer David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and photographer Lord Snowden, and who also happens to
View of the iconic 5-star Ritz Hotel, London. The luxury hotel dates back to 1905.
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Warrant since 1955. The same road also features the city’s biggest Austin Reed store, which provides clothing to both the Queen and Prince Charles.
although its dark chocolate wafers are said to be her favourites – it was granted its warrant by the late Queen Mother in 1999, and was the last one she awarded before her death.
© dutourdumonde / Shutterstock / © Kiev Victor / Shutterstock
Regent Street is decorated with Union Jack flags to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, held from June 2 to June 5, 2012.
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