When I visited London’s Museum of Brands last summer, I realized from the number of objects and exhibits that the British Royal Family has become a brand. That’s not just because of the Royal Warrants that say “By Appointment to His Majesty the King,” but because they, and their images, adorn so many packages, so many souvenirs of so many occasions.
The earliest examples at the Museum of Brands focus on King Edward VII and his Queen Alexandra, but in a corner of the image you can see a souvenir towel printed with the image of his mother Queen Victoria. Edward and Alexandra share a number of other chocolate tins, celebrating visits to various cities.
Edward’s son George V then takes the spotlight with his wife Queen Mary. He’s also on some of the wartime examples above along with assorted generals and patriotic figures.
And then we come to one of those branding glitches, like New Coke. Edward VIII, who became king at the death of George V, but abdicated before his coronation—but not before the souvenir business got started. At least one practical entrepreneur had fun… notice the mug in the corner of the top photo.
Not wishing to waste all the preparations that had been started for Edward’s coronation, the Royal Family ‘saved the date’ for the coronation of Edward’s brother as George VI, complete with a new round of tins, mugs and ‘coronation plates.’
Sixteen years later, a vast variety of coronation items for Elizabeth II. The 1981 wedding of her son Charles led to at least as many souvenirs as any coronation, including some saucy ones.
