The Platinum Jubilee is just around the corner! Our favourite way to celebrate every occasion is with chocolate (obviously), but did you know there is an interesting connection between York’s chocolate industry and the Royal Family?
The Platinum Jubilee
The Platinum Jubilee celebrates Queen Elizabeth I’s 70 years of service. She is the first British monarch to celebrate this.
Jubilee’s to celebrate the life of British monarchs became significant events during the long reign of George III. In 1809, his fiftieth year on the throne, there were celebrations which included a private service at Windsor for members of the Royal Family and a large fireworks display at Frogmore.
The longest-reigning British monarch before Queen Elizabeth I was Queen Victoria. She celebrated Golden (50 years) and Diamond (60 years) Jubilees. Her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897 included a service at St Paul’s Cathedral. Large crowds gathered to watch her procession through London.
The Queen and Chocolate
Chocolate is one of Elizabeth I’s favourite treats. Charbonnel et Walker is one of the monarch’s favourite brands. Established in London in 1875, they are located on Bond Street. They moved from Paris to London at the appeal of King Edward VII. They have shared that floral chocolates are popular with the Queen.
A former chef to the Queen revealed that she favours dark chocolate and her favourite desserts are indeed chocolate-based, a woman after our own heart!
The Royal Family and York’s Chocolate Industry
York’s confectioners and the Royal Family have long had a strong bond.
The Royal Family sent tins of chocolate’s to British soldiers during the Boer War and First World War.
During visits to York, the reigning monarch received a box of bespoke chocolates. The tradition, started by Rowntree’s, continues into the modern day. In 2012 the city presented a box containing two layers of individual bespoke chocolates from York’s confectioners to the Queen.
One of York’s most iconic chocolate brands, the famous After Eight Mint, carries the Royal Warrant. This is no longer displayed on their boxes as in 2009 Nestlé standardised their packaging worldwide.
Join the tour to see the box and chocolates presented to the Queen in 2012.
