A Coronation To Remember

 

Historic, joyful and uplifting, the Coronation ceremony was everything we hoped it would be.

 

Inspired by the start of a new era in modern history and by our centuries-long legacy of service to the British monarchy, we truly went the extra mile to mark this most happy and glorious occasion. The giant peacock perched ever-so-casually on the front of our Piccadilly home, is proof enough of that.

 

Not that our Coronation endeavours started or ended with him, of course.

 

From the beautiful and patiently-crafted designs that graced the items in our Coronation Collection, to the showstopping Coronation Afternoon Tea in our Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, we celebrated in our own, inimitably Fortnum's way. 

 

And so, we're taking a moment to look back at a few of our highlights from the days, weeks and months leading up to The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

 

But really, who says the celebrations need to stop to all? Certainly not us: 2023 is a Coronation year, after all...

 

 

Our Coronation Windows

In situ until September 2023 | Read more >

 

As if by magic, the incredible Visual Merchanising team at Fortnum's transformed elements from the extraordinary artwork seen across our Coronation Collection – from the myriad motifs and symbols so laden with regal meaning, to the gentle beasts of all shapes and sizes that take such a starring role – and brought them all to glorious life in our famous windows at Piccadilly.

 

And an extra word on the handsome chap whose tail can be seen cascading down our famous facade. Taking four weeks to create, two days to install and featuring 1,298 hand-cut 'feathers', the peacock has been painstakingly fashioned from recycled tins of Fortnum's biscuits and caddies of Fortnum's tea (all empty, of course: we made certain no delicious teatime essentials were wasted). A true labour of love – which will be completely recycled once his residency at Piccadilly is over – our peacock is a truly fitting tribute to HM King Charles III's lifelong commitment to sustainability.

 

 

 

Our Coronation Collection

Available now, online and in-store | Read more > 

 

Inspired by the iconography of royal pageants and ceremonies through the centuries – and featuring a rich palette of regal colours, heraldic motifs, iconic typography, and a cast of gentle animals from the Commonwealth and beyond – the designs found across our Coronation Collection have taken untold hours of patient planning, craft and artistry. Working with a trio of exceptional British fine artists, we set out to create designs which people would cherish for decades, as joyful reminders of this significant moment in British history. At once bold and elegant, modern and traditional, the result speak for themselves.

 

Beautiful artwork aside, the items themselves are all rather spectacular too: we know more than a few bottles of our Coronation English Sparkling were enjoyed over the Coronation weekend, not to mention all the Coronation Darjeeling that was sipped from keepsake Coronation teacups...

 

 

Our Coronation Afternoon Tea

Available until September 2023 | Book now > 

 

Inspired by HM King Charles III's lifelong passion for organic farming methods, sustainable food production and eating with the seasons, our Coronation Afternoon Tea Menus incorporate finest British ingredients, botanicals and traditions into a once-in-a-lifetime menu showcasing the signature artistry and elegance of our chefs in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

 

Just don't expect us to pick a favourite from the new menus: but if you can read the words 'Welsh Lamb Scotch Egg with Wild Herbs Aioli', 'Elderflower Jelly and Meadowsweet Cream Tartlet', 'Earl Grey Mousse with Bergamot Jelly' or 'Kames Bay Trout Sandwich with Preserved Lemon and Dill Cream Cheese' without feeling even a little peckish, then you're stronger-willed than we are...

 

 

Birdsong in The Atrium

In situ until September 2023 | Watch now on Instagram >

 

Featuring a canopy of floating robins, finches and foliage branches crafted entirely from paper and recycled materials – alongside a gently immersive soundcape of birdsong, twittering in the background – our Atrium display is inspired by His Majesty King Charles III’s passion for the natural world and environmental sustainability. Lovely.

 

 

 

Alan Schaller X @Fortnums

 

Hot on the heels of his Fleeting Moments exhibition at the newly-reopened 3'6 at Piccadilly, we handed over Instagram duties on the Coronation weekend to the esteemed monochrome photographer (and friend of Fortnum's) Alan Schaller. Taking his camera out onto the streets of London, Alan captured the shared joy, glorious ceremony and happy eccentricity of the capital's Coronation celebrations.

 

And really: you simply cannot beat an adorable dog in a Union Jack neckerchief, can you?