In case there are some just descended from Mars and haven’t heard, there’s a Coronation on Saturday. The crowning of that perma-prince-in-waiting, Charles III. And as is his wont the ruler of CLARIDGE’S in London (above), Paul Jackson, not only got there first but achieved the gold thanks to infinitely more research than competitors.
Mr Jackson did, mind you, start with amazing archives and other research material. He also has a hotel Archivist, Kate Jones. And it is much of what she has found out that is showcased in Claridge’s Coronation Archive Windows on the ground floor of the hotel.
See pages from Queen Victoria’s diary, celebratory fans created by the hotel in 1911 for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, and Claridge’s menus and cocktail cards created the coronations of King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. There are also such smilies as a biscuit tin in the form of the royal state coronation coach, and masses of coronation photographs, programmes and official souvenirs.
On top of all this Claridge’s Artist in Residence David Downton will unveil a new colour portrait of King Charles 111 for the hotel’s Talking Heads Gallery – a collection of portraits showcasing famous hotel guests of past and present.
Eating, and especially drinking, is not forgotten. In The Painters’ Bar, the cocktail list will reflect the King’s love of his garden at Highgrove and all things floral, botanical and sustainable.
