Shopping with Royal Warant Holders

May 23, 2014

Entrance to Fortnum & Mason

Before coming to London, I had no idea what a Royal Warrant Holder was. Sounds official... sounds boring. I quickly learned that the royal family has given out and still gives out warrants to businesses they buy goods from including clothing, food, drink, and other items. Around 800 businesses are royal warrant holders, and hold around 1200 warrants between them because some have received warrants from multiple members of the royal family. My two favorite stops of the day were definitely Fortnum & Mason and Floris perfumery.

Eggs Royale at The Fountain Restaurant at Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason opened in 1707 and has since remained true to its roots- providing shoppers with a comfortable and luxurious place to shop for goods produced by some of London's finest.

setting up for an event with hat designer, Phillip Treacy

The department store's tea room is done up in the store's signature color of light blue-green called "Eau De Nile". Fortnum's is also known for its selection of almost 200 different types of tea.

soooo bubbly

collection of vintage Chanel

We also got to go behind the scenes at the Floris perfumery and store. We were showed around by Edward Floris, whose family started the business in 1730. The store felt anything but stuffy, with young, friendly, professional stuff and smooth Theophilus London playing through the speakers.

Edward's grandfather mixing perfumes below the store

A piece of William and Kate's wedding cake

no word on the shelf life

The back office, where one of Floris' two chemists has been working to develop new scents.

some of Floris' old packaging displayed in the back

Not only has Floris been a favorite of the Crown, but Winston Chruchill and Marilyn Monroe were also notable fans. Edward told us that Marilyn came into the store many years ago and loved their Rose Geranium scent so much that she had bought six bottles. No. 89 was worn by Ian Fleming and has become known as the signature scent of James Bond. Edward jokes that he sometimes wears No. 89, named after the store, when he wants to feel like Bond.

original Floris products provide a visual and tangible account of the company's almost 300 year history

Floris continues to create scents for many notable royal occasions, including the royal weddings of the Queen and Prince Phillip, Charles and Diana, and William and Kate.