21st April 2023
A spectacular Coronation celebration was hosted by Champagne Bollinger, Illustrated London News (ILN) and the Burlington Arcade at the Bollinger Burlington Bar to mark The Illustrated Coronation Edition, ILN's new portrait of King Charles III by Alastair Barford, the Bollinger Coronation Afternoon Treat Menu and the Arcade's stunning Coronation installations
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in London’s upcoming Coronation celebration, you would do no better than stepping into the Bollinger Burlington Bar, admire the portrait of King Charles commissioned by Illustrated London News and sample the Coronation Afternoon Treat Menu by a Royal Patissier, followed of course by a spot of shopping in the irresistible boutiques of Burlington Arcade.
Portrait King Charles by Alastair Barford ILN in Burlington Arcade
The London Scottish Regiment marching their way through the Burlington Arcade marked the coming together of the Coronation celebration, with Illustrated London News Coronation Edition, and Alastair Barford’s portrait of King Charles taking centre stage at the Bollinger Burlington Bar.
It also marked the iconic luxury shopping destination Burlington Arcade’s unveiling of its celebratory installation to mark a Coronation. This time, of course, it celebrates His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. The Arcade is festooned with 55 flags and 180 metres of Coronation carpet until May 31st, and the regal display is the 10th Coronation that Burlington Arcade has witnessed since George III was crowned in 1820.
The Coronation celebration was an event conducted with pageantry and fanfare. The spectacle of the London Scottish regimental band with pipes and drums created great excitement amongst the guests, who included royal media correspondents, Royal Warrant holders, luxury brand executives, hoteliers, restaurateurs, Palace officials and influencers. Guests were greeted with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée stylishly served en Jeroboam and were the first to see the magnificent Coronation installations unveiled in the Burlington Arcade.
On to the speeches. Victoria Carfantan, Director of Champagne Bollinger, warmly welcomed the guests and described the Coronation Afternoon Treats, Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of ILN (and SPHERE's Publisher) told the story behind the commission of the painting and Illustrated London News' rare archive material, QEST Scholar and artist Alastair Barford described his experience of painting The King, and Burlington Arcade's Trupti Shah invited all guests to toast the Coronation.
The installation features three symbolic celebratory motifs for this occasion. These include the four flowers of the nation: the thistle, Scotland’s national flower; the daffodil, the national flower of Wales; the three-leaf shamrock, regarded as the national symbol of Northern Ireland, and finally, the Tudor Rose,the national flower of England which has merged with the official Burlington Arcade rosette.
Champagne Bollinger charged glasses to revel in the unveiling of the Afternoon Treat Menu, which is available exclusively at The Bollinger Burlington Bar, situated in the historic arcade.
Bollinger’s take on the quintessentially British afternoon tea, has been created in collaboration with fellow Royal Warrant holder, Patisserie Chef Didier Merveilleux, making it a tasting experience of truly royal standards.
Merveilleux has created some exquisite delicacies for the occasion, including mini peach and vanilla tart, mini strawberry choux craquelin and passion yuzu macaroon, which are paired with a glass of Bollinger’s signature Special Cuvée and served on Thomas Goode tableware, making it a trio of Royal Warrant holders.
Trupti Shah of Burlington Arcade, with artist Alastair Barford
Alongside the flowers of the nation, King Charles' new Coronation emblem appears in the installation’s design. Designed by the College of Arms, the new royal emblem shows His Majesty's initial - C - intertwined with the letter R for Rex, Latin for King, and finally with III to signify Charles III, with the crown above the letters. Also included in the Bar's window displays is archive material documenting Champagne Bollinger's Royal Warrant history, dating back to the first Royal Appointment in 1884 by Queen Victoria, celebrating almost 140 years of holding a royal warrant.
Visitors to the Bollinger Burlington Bar will also be able to view the first commissioned portrait of His Majesty King Charles III. The portrait is being showcased exclusively in the Bar’s window and on a collector’s edition menu, available throughout the Coronation period.
The Bollinger Afternoon Treat Menu will be exclusively available at The Bollinger Burlington Bar from 27 April to 14 May priced £125/pp and includes a glass of the House’s signature Bollinger Special Cuvée.
Bollinger Bar at the Burlington Arcade
The Illustrated Coronation Edition is available from britishcoronation.com
With thanks to De Montfort Fine Art for the regal frames
The portrait was commissioned by ILN and Alasrair was selected as the portrait rtist of the revered portrait ILN commissioned of HM The Queen when she became the longest reigning British Monarch. ILN is proud to collaborate with the Royal Warrant Holders Association and QEST. For every copy sold of our edition in the UK, ILN makes a donation to QEST in support of future scjolars, such as Alastair.
