In the early eighteenth century a serendipitous alliance began between Hugh Mason, proprietor of a modest grocery shop in London's St. James Market and William Fortnum, footman at the court of Queen Anne. In addition to his royal services, Fortnum also had a side hustle of collecting half-burned candlesticks at the palace, remelting them and selling them back to the ladies of the royal residence. When Mason became Fortnum's landlord, it wasn't long before the market owner partnered with his clever and well-connected tenant. In 1707, they founded what would become one of Britain’s most iconic retailers: Fortnum & Mason.
For over three centuries, Fortnum & Mason has served royalty and tea aficionados alike, including our own Barb’s Tea Service. Though our relationship with this esteemed establishment spans a mere fifteen years, the connection was immediate—sealed with the first pour from one of their elegant silver teapots.
 |
| Daughter, Rachel, and son, Matt, experience Fortnum & Mason's teas, during our London visit, 2015. |
Our inaugural visit took place in 2011, when I accompanied my daughter, Rachel, to London just before she began a six-week study abroad program at Regent’s College. Alongside visits to historic landmarks such as the Jane Austen House and Kensington Palace, we embarked on a grand tour of the city’s afternoon teas, with Fortnum & Mason as a highlight. (In retrospect, the itinerary I planned seems one that any typical twenty-one year old college student would dream of . . . or , alas, their mothers, But, happy to report, Rachel was a gracious companion throughout.)
Less than a year after our visit, Fortnum & Mason was selected as the venue for a landmark royal outing: Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, hosted an intimate tea for 150 guests. This event marked their first joint public appearance, further cementing Fortnum & Mason’s status as a symbol of British refinement. (For more, see BTS blog, March 2012: Fortnum and Mason visited by the Queen, Camilla, Catherine and Barb and Rachel
 |
| Wedding tea gift wrapped & ready. Breakfast tea for us. |
Since that memorable introduction, we’ve returned to Fortnum & Mason on several occasions. The tea department remains a favorite, where visitors are invited to sample blends by inhaling the aromas from open-lidded glass teapots that dot the display counters. Even when not in London, we continue to enjoy Fortnum & Mason teas at home, often purchasing them through our local Williams Sonoma. This week, while selecting their “Wedding” blend for a very special upcoming celebration, we also treated ourselves to the “Breakfast Blend”—a delightful way to elevate mornings in the Gulley household.
Whether serving a British monarch or a humble tea blogger, Fortnum & Mason offers all the royal treatment at teatime.
A final note: a 43-second video from our 2011 visit recently resurfaced via Facebook memories. Though Rachel is less inclined to speak in public settings than her mother, she gamely took on the role of videographer. Her steady hand and reserved laughter captured a moment we continue to cherish (with unreserved laughter).
No comments:
Post a Comment