Felicity Long
The old adage that any publicity is good publicity is probably not one the British royal family would agree with these days.
But regardless of whether you've been intentionally following the ongoing drama -- the passing of the torch from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III, the fallout from Prince Harry's best-selling tell-all, what to do about Prince Andrew, and so on -- these royal doings have been so relentlessly covered in the media that most of us are more clued in than we might care to admit.
Whether all this fuss will heighten interest in Charles' May 6 coronation enough to inspire North Americans to cross the Pond remains to be seen, but properties across the U.K. are busy creating royal-themed amenities to mark the occasion.
Afternoon tea set up at Gatsby's Room in the Beaumont, which is offering guests an in-room "coronation pack." Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Beaumont
On May 5, for example, the Beaumont in Mayfair is offering guests an in-room "coronation pack" with a map of the day's events, a Union Jack flag, a Union Jack hat and a commemorative mug. The property will also serve pastries decorated like the Crown Jewels during afternoon tea for the month of May.
In a nod to Charles' twin passions of sustainability and the "Best of British" produce, the Doyle Collection's London properties is creating a series of specialty cocktails in his honor. The Bloomsbury, The Marylebone and The Kensington will each create a zero-waste cocktail using British spirits and sustainably sourced produce, with such ingredients as herbaceous Cornish gin, British strawberries and local elderflower.
Visitors who like the idea of shopping where the royals do can get a map of royal warrant holders -- companies that supply goods and services to senior royals and who have permission to display the royal arms insignia -- at L'oscar, a 39-room boutique hotel named for poet and playwright Oscar Wilde and located near Covent Garden.
The property, part of the Michel Reybier Hospitality group, is housed in a Baroque, Grade II-listed former church in Bloomsbury and was restored by designer Jacques Garcia. The renovation retained some of the building's original features, including two fireplaces with Royal Doulton terracotta panels.
At L’oscar, a 39-room boutique hotel named for poet and playwright Oscar Wilde and located near Covent Garden, visitors can get a map of shops that hold royal warrants. Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Michel Reybier Hospitality
Farther afield, Dromoland Castle in Ireland is offering a Princess Package designed to let its youngest guests celebrate their own coronation. Activities include a day of lessons in deportment, song and traditional dance; a trip to the spa for hair and nails; and a pretend coronation in the great Kincora Hall -- complete with a crown and certificate -- and a royal afternoon tea.
Meanwhile, at the Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland, guests staying over coronation weekend can indulge in a special afternoon tea with classic Victoria sponge cake and coronation chicken, a picnic at the Highland Games Centre and a royal whisky tasting in Bertie's Whisky Bar featuring a flight of Charles' favorite drinks.
The property is located in Royal Deeside, which features a long-standing connection with the royal family since the days of Queen Victoria, who built Balmoral Castle 9 miles away.