Suzie Abel, Jarrold’s beauty buyer, is feeling proud to be British as she celebrates brands with a rich heritage in the country

If, like me, you are a huge fan of The Queen, this year will be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the many events taking place to celebrate her 90th birthday. Her official birthday celebration is at Windsor in May and the special thanksgiving services at St Paul’s, Trooping the Colour, and the Patron’s Lunch in The Mall will all take place in June. Imagine the colours, the sounds, the pageantry, and the tremendous atmosphere these ceremonial occasions create, stirring a real sense of “proud to be British” in all of us.

I love all the dazzling spectacle and will watch as many of these fabulous events as I can. We are surely the envy of the world when our royal events are televised - superbly well organised and with such style and grace - I know how proud they make me feel.

As a store, we are also proud to support local and British brands whenever we can, and the Beauty Hall is no exception. Bronnley, founded by James Bronnley in 1884, is still very popular and holds a Royal Warrant. In the Fine Fragrance Hall you can also find some truly iconic British brands. Floris, established in 1730, claims to be the oldest independent perfumer in the world and had Sir Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and Marilyn Monroe as esteemed customers in the past. Penhaligon’s was established in 1870 by William Penhaligon, barber and perfumer to the royal court at the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Both companies are Royal Warrant holders and still occupy their original premises in Jermyn Street, London.

Two new and exclusive members of our fragrance portfolio with a similar pedigree are Atkinsons and Mitchell & Peach.

In 1799, James Atkinson, an enterprising young man from Cumbria, set off by carriage for London with his own recipes for scents and toiletries in his pocket and a sizeable amount of rose-scented bear grease balm by his side. A real brown bear, devoted to James but of somewhat bad temper, sat on his other side! Within days this scented balm became indispensable to the great and good of the capital, who braved the bear at the door of 44 Gerrard Street to procure sufficient stock for the social season. In 1800, he created his fearlessly English Eau de Cologne – fresh yet warm and spicy. When King George IV caught a whiff of it, he proclaimed Atkinsons as Official Perfumer to the Court. From 1832, 24 Old Bond Street was the address of the new headquarters and is also the name of this beautiful cologne. However, if you prefer something with a little more oomph, then try their Oud Save the King and Oud Save the Queen – they’re spectacular.

The Mitchell family has been farming at Foxbury Farm in Kent for generations growing many crops such as strawberries, apples, hops and cobnuts. More recently they decided to grow lavender which then inspired them to create their own luxury bath and body range, Mitchell & Peach. Proud, as English growers, to use natural ingredients including essential oils and honey from their hives, all of which are hand-blended. The latest addition is a delicate, airy eau de toilette called English Leaf which is exquisite and perfect for the warmer season.