Luxury store among first to receive royal warrant from Queen
LUXURY department store Fortnum & Mason is among the first organisations to be granted a royal warrant by the Queen, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Camilla has appointed seven royal warrant holders which have also received the accolade from the King, including a Cornwall-based sparkling wine producer and Shane Connolly, florist for the couple’s 2005 wedding and their Westminster Abbey Coronation.
Companies holding a royal warrant, which is granted for up to five years, are recognised for providing goods or services to the monarchy, and are allowed to use the coat of arms of the royal they are associated with on packaging, as part of advertising or on stationery.
Tom Athron, chief executive of Fortnum & Mason, said the company was “honoured” to have been granted warrants as grocers and tea and provision merchants by the King and Queen.
He added: “We are particularly thrilled to have received these grants because of what we believe the warrants stand for. To receive a royal warrant in 2024 requires a rigorous focus on acting for a sustainable future, supporting the country’s rural and farming communities, and protecting the arts and heritage crafts.
“These are all things that are very close to our hearts at Fortnum’s, and these grants are a hugely welcome recognition of the talents of the many skilled producers, artisans and crafts people who we work with every day to produce our products.”
The store, based in London’s Piccadilly, is renowned for its quality food, drinks and gifts, and has a long association with the monarchy.