The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Get in the spirit with tea towels, baked beans and Bentleys
From 10-year-old Katherine Dewar’s winning design for the national emblem to Sir Paul Smith’s tribute crown for Harrod’s, creative displays of respect for Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne have reached a fever pitch both in the UK and abroad. Her Royal Highness truly embodies majesty, and several designers have successfully captured the spirit of the Diamond Jubilee with concepts that are quintessentially British—at once elegantly regal and playfully tongue-in-cheek. Read on for our favorites.
Ma’amite
Love-it-or-hate-it yeast spread Marmite just got a bit more British with the limited edition release of “Ma’amite”, a clever pun in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. Complete with a Union Jack and royal crown, the condiment is sure to make an appearance at many tables throughout England this Jubilee. “Ma’amite” is available through Sainsbury’s for £2.50.
Heritage Heinz
An integral part of the full English breakfast, Heinz Baked Beans reached back into their vault to restore 60-year-old packaging in honor of the Queen’s inaugural year. We dig the delightfully retro look of the 1952 can—assuming, of course, that the contents are are more up to date.
Drake’s Handkerchief
This responsibly playful handkerchief from Drake’s of London (£50) is printed on fine, lightweight silk. Motifs in the design include traffic-signaling bobbies, marching Beefeaters and a royal carriage parade.
Vivienne Westwood Red Carpet Collection
British fashion powerhouse Vivienne Westwood beckons the Diamond Jubilee with her Red Carpet Capsule Collection. Inspired by the Queen’s own wardrobe, Westwood pulled back on her typically zany aesthetic to pay more demure homage to the woman who gave her a royal title with a line of dresses ranging from cocktail dresses to formal gowns.
Harrods’ Diamond Jubilee Windows
A national institution itself thanks to a half century of Royal Warrants, Harrods has bedecked its Brompton Road windows with 31 commissioned crowns created specially for the jubilee by a range of designers like Sir Paul Smith, Lanvin, The Rug Company, Globetrotter, William Curley (whose crown is made of chocolate), Jo Malone and more. In addition to the one-off tributes, Harrods is also displaying Norman Hartnell’s gorgeous satin gown created designed in 1953 for the Queen’s coronation.
Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition
In honor of HRH, the legendary British motor company has created the ultra-regal Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition, a limited run of 60 cars—one for every year of the Queen’s monarchy. Features build upon Bentley’s already rich Executive Interior concept and include a gold royal carriage applied to the dashboard and embroidered on throw pillows and headrests, as well as polished treadplates with “Bentley Mulliner, England” and “Diamond Jubilee Edition” in script.
Ladurée Macarons
The delightfully irresistible macarons from Paris’ Ladurée have been repackaged with a Union Jack in celebration of the anniversary. The macarons offer a sweet indulgence from Britain’s neighbor and are the preferred sweet to have alongside high tea this Jubilee season. Find them in-store at Ladurée in London, Paris and New York.
East India Jubilee Tea
Pair your macarons with this rare tea made by the East India Company. Comprised exclusively of leaves plucked from a tree that Queen Elizabeth planted herself on a 1954 visit to Sri Lanka, the costly chai is given proper packaging in a handcrafted silver-plated caddy with a silver serving spoon.
Peter Gander Tea Towel
The tea towels have come out in droves this Jubilee season, and this design by Peter Gander is one of our favorites. Created to look like a playing card, the Queen’s Corgis frame Her Highness’s silhouette as playful banners carry the Diamond Jubilee announcement.
The Queen’s Head 60
Anne-Narie Stijelja, faculty member at the Bedford Modern School, created a powerfully simple portrait of the Queen from vintage stamps. The image was included in a book called “The Jubilee Postcards”, and is presently hanging in the Bedford Art Centre in Bedford, UK.
Lydia Leith Jelly Mould and Sick Bag
Whether the Jubilee celebrations make you work up an appetite or have you feeling a little nauseous, graphic designer Lydia Leith has you covered. Both made in England, her jelly mould and sick bag highlight the jovial side of the celebration with irreverent references to the Queen’s reign.
