The Royal Warrant

I have been so busy at work lately, with hardly a moment to myself. And so, my blogging has suffered, but I will try this day to highlight the gifts brought back to me from my Mom and her recent visit to London. The gifts were great, but the packaging is a gift in itself. In my opinion, no one does this kind of thing better than in London. It's a tradition that goes way back.

Of course, the ultimate expression is a box like the enamel Battersea Box, the little hinged porcelain container, usually for a gift of jewelry, but the idea of the cardboard box is brought to a whole new level by Londoners.

One gift I received, some marzipan fruit, came from Fortnam and Mason's, a wonderful store of Picadilly Circus, with candied fruits, nuts, coffee, tea, honey, jams, preserves, biscuits, downstairs in the main food hall. Upstairs there are other delights and indulgences (perfumes, lotions, grooming items, stationary, etc).

But, back to boxes! The little marzipan apples came in a little teal blue box (Fortnam's signature color), with a satin bow. But inside, there was waxed brown paper, folded once, and then again to contain the little gems, and so their oils not to leak through. And of course, the box has the stamp of the British Royal Family, the royal warrant as it is known. In other words, the Queen approves of Fortnam's.

The second gift was a commemorative tea cup from Buckingham Palace Store, this time the box of heavy weight, Persian turquoise blue, with special paper inside featuring the monarchy royal crest in gold stamped on white issue. This company also has the warranty.

Finally, there was  little round "hat box" of champagne truffles, from Partridge's, another food and specialty market. Though not as old as Fortnam's, it gets the nod from the Queen! And no wonder, the truffles are excellent! I am doling them out as a special evening treat.

Royal warrant of appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier. In the United Kingdom, grants are currently made by the three most senior members of the  British Royal family to companies or tradesmen who supply goods and services to individuals in the family.

In the late 18th Century Royal tradesmen began displaying the Royal Arms on their premises and stationery. But it was Queen Victoria who ensured that Royal Warrants gained the prestige they enjoy today. During her 64 year reign The Queen and her family granted more than 1,000 Royal Warrants, eight times as many as The Queen's uncle, King George IV. They included companies such as Fortnum & Mason, Schweppes and Twinings, which still hold Royal Warrants today.

So, next time you are in London, check out one of these stores, and buy a tiny something, just so you can get the box! I love these boxes, and have other uses for them once the treats are long gone! Maybe a container for safety pins, straight pins, rings, perfume samples, postage stamps. Who knows!