Apr 11, 2023

Fortnum & Mason celebrates coronation with new collection

Fortnum & Mason has announced the release of a collection to celebrate The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

The collection is comprised of items to eat, drink and keep, and it celebrates the global communities of the Commonwealth and the vibrant beauty of the Earth, according to the company.

Featuring intricately designed teaware, memorabilia and a host of treats and tipples, the Coronation range aims to showcase British quality and craftsmanship, celebrating a variety of independent, homegrown suppliers, as well as showcasing a variety of international flavors.

Fortnum commissioned artists Lucy Morrish and Jethro Buck to create the highly detailed artwork featured on the collection’s packaging. Both artists have used traditional methods to take inspiration from the iconography of royal pageants and ceremonies throughout the centuries, to decorate commemorative tins and teaware with an array of animals from Commonwealth nations.

Morrish, an artist who specializes in panel painting, has used traditional techniques learnt at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts to paint using hand-made watercolor mineral and earth pigments on calfskin; her favorite design is the intricate white hart which decorates the box of Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

A fellow graduate of the school, Buck specializes in Indian miniature painting and has explored the natural world in incredible detail using hand ground natural pigments to paint peacocks, leopards and herons for the celebratory range.

For the collection’s text, Fortnum’s has worked with scribe and illuminator to HM Crown Office at the House of Lords, Timothy Noad, who has designed a bespoke script for Fortnum & Mason, as well painting a heraldic crown that proudly adorns each product of the commemorative collection.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of our Coronation collection, a range that reflects His Majesty’s dedicated passion for the environment and his utmost respect for the Commonwealth’s exciting evolution.” said Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason. “Our team at Fortnum & Mason has considered every fine detail to make this commemorative collection one that our discerning customers will appreciate and treasure, from the Wiltshire bees who make our honey in the Queen Consort’s Garden, to the intricate detailing of the hand-embossed pewter tins that hold our English Rose Sweets.”

Collectible memorabilia

This limited-edition commemorative range has been handmade in Stoke on Trent by a Royal-Warrant holding factory, Halcyon Days and Caverswall China. Today, Halcyon Days is one of only fourteen companies in the world to hold all three Royal Warrants, as suppliers of Objets d’Art.

· Coronation Commemorative 10″ Plate Ltd Ed, ($278.58)
· Coronation Commemorative Two Handled Cup Ltd Ed ($278.58)
· Coronation Commemorative Enamel Box Ltd Ed ($680.99)

Confectionery

Fortnum & Mason’s Coronation sweet treats include a giant chocolate coin in a beautiful, embossed tin and a keepsake musical box that plays ‘God Save The King’ filled with seven biscuits blended with ingredients from Fiji (ginger), Canada (cranberry and orange), South Africa (macadamia nut) and Scotland (ling heather honey). English rose sweets crown this collection, as delicate Welsh rosewater sweets are packed into a gorgeous tin made from Sheffield pewter.

· Coronation Chocolate Coin ($11.08)
· Musical Coronation Tin ($48.44)
· English Rose Sweets in Pewter Tin ($92.86)

Tea & coffee

Indian Darjeeling is known as the ‘Champagne of teas’ for its complexity and muscatel character. It sits beside a celebration of East African arabica, grown in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania – whose farmers expertly grow some of the best quality coffee on the planet. Sip and drift away to sandy shores with a new pineapple, coconut and rum infusion inspired by the tropical flavors of the Caribbean.

· Coronation Pineapple and Coconut Infusion Tea Tin ($17.92)
· Coronation Blend Ground Coffee Tin, 250g, ($26.23)
· Coronation Organic Darjeeling Tea Tin 200g, ($27.61)

Grocery

The Fortnum’s Caledonia fruitcake features whisky from a distillery nestled on the Balmoral estate and honey harvested from hives in Royal Deeside. Taste the iconic, organic potted blue stilton from family-run producer Cropwell Bishop, based in Nottinghamshire. Discover a delicious preserve featuring strawberries, cherries, redcurrants, and raspberries, which create the perfect accompaniment for clotted-cream scones and Victoria sponge cakes.

· English Berries Summer preserve 340g ($12.32)
· Caledonia Fruit Cake ($49.46)

Homeware

A hand-printed 100% cotton tea towel made by Ulster Weavers, who has held the Royal Warrant as suppliers of kitchen textiles to Queen Elizabeth II since 1995. The fine Bone China used in Fortnum’s exquisite tea sets is tribute to the enduring excellence of traditional British craftsmanship. Made in Stoke-on-Trent in the heart of the historic English Potteries, its elegant design combines tea leaves from the camellia sinensis plant with elements from the
Royal Oak tree a symbol of the British monarchy dating back to the 17th century.

· Tea Towel ($17.92)
· The Royal Tea Gift Box ($80.48)
· Coronation Tea for One Set ($198.10)

The Queen Consort Capsule Range

To complement the Coronation collection, a smaller capsule collection named ‘The Queen Consort Range’ has been dedicated to The Queen Consort and her love of the rural outdoors, “I’d be out in my garden all day, every day if I were allowed”.

It features a ‘Lily of the Valley’ candle, a luxurious silk twill scarf, decadent rose and violet cream truffles and zesty, citrus honey from the hive in the Queen Consort’s private garden. The Queen Consort capsule collection is perfect for those who want to enjoy the taste and aroma of a countryside garden in Wiltshire.

· Queen Consort’s Honey ($26.35)
· Queen Consort Silk Twill Scarf