HM The King's Coronation

A GUIDE TO BRITISH STREET PARTIES: THE PENHALIGON’S WAY

What better excuse for a knees up than a Royal Coronation?

The big weekend is approaching with the speed of an express train. Soon, a day of jubilation will be upon us, and we will have three glorious days off work to celebrate His Majesty’s coronation. As we all know, the British way to mark this remarkable occasion is a street party. It is unclear why, but it has, it seems, become pretty much a constitutional necessity.  

To help you navigate partying with your nearest, dearest, (or not so dear) neighbours, we bring you Penhaligon’s 5 tips to get you through.  
 

WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS?
jubilee

GO LARGE OR GO HOME​

When laying on a “spread”, as you are statutorily required to call the food you put on for your Coronation street party, it is wise to remember that, as a nation, we cannot resist piling high our plates. We have seen pin-thin models throw off all inhibitions when confronted by a decent buffet. This will only be more so at your street party. So, think how much food you will require and then immediately double it. And remember: by law you must offer sausage rolls, scotch eggs and dainty sandwiches with no crusts. They’re just the rules…

BE THE KING OF CONVERSATION​

In all likelihood you probably don’t spend so much time talking to your neighbours. Perhaps you offer the odd hearty “Good morning!” or “Lovely day for it” or perhaps you live in London, and you just run when you see a neighbour. Either way, the upshot is the same: you don’t know them well, don’t know their views or mores or pet hates. You need to play it safe if you want to get through the day without ending up with a bowl of trifle on your head. So, plan the conversational touch points: keep it to cricket, strictly, and any amusing anecdotes about the King you have read in the Sunday supplements. And remember, if things do get tense, you can always just “go fetch another bottle of wine”. Maybe two, in fact. 

jubilee

DRINKING FOR ENGLAND

It is a tricky thing getting the drinks right at a street party. The reason is the range of age and tastes. If you want to serve champagne then make sure to re-mortgage your house as people tend to guzzle free bubbles, so you will need cases of the stuff. Also, complicated cocktails are off the menu. Unless, that is, you want to spend all day making margaritas and sunrises for Ginny and James at No 43. Much wiser to prepare lots of jugs of Pimm’s, as it has the benefit of seeming patriotic while being perfectly easy to make. Also consider lager: buy bottles, never cans, and pop them in iced water. The dads will thank you. Oh, and orange cordial for the children. No child will refuse cordial. Ever.

jubilee

THE WEATHER IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

British weather is a cruel, dissimulating thing. It will draw you in with its sweet siren song of HEATWAVE and WARMEST MAY ON RECORD, it will have you in shorts and summer dresses and up the loft retrieving sun hats and then, as you prepare to grow tanned and happy, it will pour and pour and pour some more. Mark this well – and do the British tBritish weather is a cruel, dissimulating thing. It will draw you in with its sweet siren song of HEATWAVE and WARMEST MAY ON RECORD, it will have you in shorts and summer dresses and up the loft retrieving sun hats and then, as you prepare to grow tanned and happy, it will pour and pour and pour some more. Mark this well – and do the British thing, ignore the Met Office, and buy a gazebo to huddle under. Your hair – and your neighbour’s arthritic knee – will thank you for it come the long weekend.

DRESS FOR THE FRIENDS YOU WANT

When choosing what to wear, bear in mind you are dressing for your King. He probably won’t be there, so unless you are having your party at, say, Highgrove, you needn’t wear a suit and tie or your wedding hat. But you ought to wear a shirt – crisp and in pastel colours – or a summer dress. Neither of those options are restrictive or uncomfortable and both can be bolstered with a mac if the weather takes a turn, which it wWhen choosing what to wear, bear in mind you are dressing for your King. He probably won’t be there, so unless you are having your party at, say, Highgrove, you needn’t wear a suit and tie or your wedding hat. But you ought to wear a shirt – crisp and in pastel colours – or a summer dress. Neither of those options are restrictive or uncomfortable and both can be bolstered with a mac if the weather takes a turn, which it will. If you turn up to the Coronation shindig in jogging bottoms, then you probably ought to be sent to the tower or at least arrested by the fashion police.

 

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS?

Further Reading

Ah, Halfeti – the jewel in Turkey’s crown. With its wonderful mix of Byzantine, Armenian, Egyptian and Ottoman heritage. And a town well-versed in trading with the world, too. Spices and so...

Read this article

It goes without saying that we are partial to a good cup of tea here at Penhaligon’s. But where did the British obsession with tea begin? We invited the founder of the Rare Tea Company, Henrietta Love...

Read this article

Just as wild animals mark their territory, a person’s fragrance extends the personal space they inhabit. Indeed, perfumes smell different depending on the wearer, so one must choose a fragrance tha...

Read this article

It’s been a few years since the esteemed Portraits family took permanent residence in Penhaligon’s stores around the world. The ever-growing Portraits fragrance collection continues to offer something...

Read this article

Have you ever paused to take in the scent of a fresh rose and felt instantly uplifted? This is no mere coincidence. Floral scents are scientifically proven to make one feel happier. A fragrance ca...

Read this article

An intoxicating smell as one enters. Unrivalled care and attention from fragrance experts. Every one of our boutiques has its hallmarks, but there is nothing more distinctly Penhaligon’s than our icon...

Read this article

Back in William’s day, any self-respecting London dandy could be found bouncing around between Jermyn Street and St. James's Street. Here, a gentleman’s every tailoring and grooming need could be tend...

Read this article

London’s Most Romantic Spots: Approved by Penhaligon’s Faint heart never won fair lady (or fair gentleman). This Valentine’s Day, it’s time to buck up your ideas and take your sweetheart on an outi...

Read this article

What a crying shame it would be to omit the telling of a tale such as this. A tale of the Prince of Perfumery. Call him William Penhaligon. He embarked on aplethora ofperegrinations. Some involved the...

Read this article

Penhaligon's is proud to introduce THE FAVOURITE The stage is set, the setting is Blenheim. The story concerns the mother of this majestic Palace. Her scent fills the Royal Quarters as gol...

Read this article