Words: Josh Lee
If you happen to be strolling in central London of late, you’ll likely have seen the flashes of blue, red and white; the swarm of royalists flocking to the big-ticket sites; and retailers, restaurants and hotel lobbies kitting their fit-outs with regalia-influenced schemes. Of course, if you’re plugged into the rhythms of the British news, it is coronation week, and with it comes a nation prepping to usher in a new era.
And, at Gentleman’s Journal, we consider this a wonderful excuse to once again highlight a small selection of our favourite makers that provide wares and wears to the palace – otherwise known as brands with royal warrants. For a rundown of what exactly a royal warrant is worth, we’ve done a deep dive into the topic, which you can peruse here – and, if you feel like splashing out on a few regally recognised labels in honour of the big day, these are the items to consider…
Ettinger
For decades, Ettinger, renowned for its pitch-perfect luxury leather goods, has been crafting pieces for the royal family, a relationship that was solidified in 1996 when the company was granted a royal warrant to King Charles III, who was then Prince of Wales. As a result of the formality, the label has since been able to carry the Prince of Wales cipher, comprising three feathers, on all its products, with an explanation – placed just underneath – of what the royal warrant is for. Though a brand synonymous with the king, discretion is key to the rapport, and, so, it is never revealed as to what exact items are made for the head monarch.
Of course, being a maker of classic accessories, Ettinger lends its hand at carting around your everyday essentials in a subtle manner. For your members’-club cards and backup Amex, there’s the flat credit card case, which is slimline, features a quartet of card pockets and a central slip pocket, and is done out in a rich marine-blue hue. For your desk detritus, we’d suggest opting for a square valet tray (here, the underside of the piece is showcased) to hold any loose pens, notebooks and cufflinks. And, when zipping from office to home, by way of the local pub, we always look to the Bakerloo portfolio, an essential that can encase your laptop and documents.
Turnbull & Asser
In 1980, when first given the power to allocate royal warrants, HRH The Prince of Wales’s first issue was bestowed upon Turnbull & Asser, the maker of elegant, timeless shirts, and a label we often look to when getting kitted out for a celebratory occasion. “Producing shirts for our future king is something that we cherish,” Steve Quin – the company’s retail director, holder of the royal warrant, and the man responsible for fitting the king whenever a new shirt is needed – previously told us.
Though it’s a company with close ties to the palace, the first two options in this list have been popularised and immortalised by cinematic royalty: the Dr. No blue cotton shirt with cocktail cuff was created for Sean Connery to wear in the first James Bond film, released in 1962; meanwhile, the white dress shirt was famously sported by Daniel Craig in his debut appearance as double 007, in Casino Royale. For an option that mixes things up slightly, we’d also suggest a two-tone offering with contrasting collar and cuffs.
Floris
As the world’s oldest independent family-owned perfumer, and having found favour with big names such as Marilyn Monroe, Ian Fleming and Winston Churchill, Floris is a venture thick with history, its elegant glass bottles a staple in bathroom cabinets across the world. The Jermyn Street establishment, which was founded in 1730, received its first royal warrant as a provider of smooth-pointed combs to King George IV – such items were the speciality of the label at this time, as were mouthwashes and toothbrushes – before eventually becoming a supplier of elegant scent-based goods.
No.89 is perhaps the most iconic option in the range, due to its close associations with Fleming and its considered blend of bergamot, nutmeg, lavender and cedarwood. If you’re after a more Med-leaning spritz – an alternative that speaks of warm climes and sun on the skin – Bergamotto di Positano showcases orange blossom and vanilla. And, for the ultimate royal-warrant-holder crossover, the 71/72, made in association with Turnbull & Asser, fades between lavender and ylang ylang, and is centred by key hits of sandalwood and oakmoss.
Want more royal-related content? These are the finest Coronation-commemoration products and experiences…
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