A Table Fit for a King

In just under two weeks, we will all come together to share food and fun at Coronation Big Lunches, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Here we offer some inspiration for your own festive feast.

As a passionate gardener and advocate for all things natural, there is no place more apt for celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III than the great outdoors. Reconnecting with nature is as much a tribute to His Majesty as it is a fantastic location for a party. Sharing food with friends, surrounded by nature’s tranquil splendour, proves the perfect way to enjoy the shift in seasons whilst celebrating this special occasion.

If the weather is obliging, find a spot in the fresh spring air or use a garden room or sheltered terrace to bring the outside in. Laying a table that is harmonious within its surroundings is easy to achieve. Our plain flax tablecloth is both practical and soothing with its soft texture and muted colours. It sets the tone for a subtle display of spring shades, from lilac to mossy green, enhanced with the use of organic materials such as wood and clay.

Continuing the botanical theme, take inspiration from the hedgerows or your own garden, using fresh flowers displayed as a simple spray in a trug. The gardens at Highgrove, the private royal residence, are managed organically, providing an important haven for a rich variety of flora and fauna; which can be echoed here by using a selection of different plants to decorate the table. These pots could be gifted to your friends to take home afterwards as a souvenir of a wonderful day. A spray of hawthorn or apple blossom completes the setting, adding height and a burst of triumphant white fizz.

When toasting the new reign, glass is the only option and these champagne flutes and water glasses make a distinctive addition to any table. Embellished with bees, a traditional symbol of kingship, the glass design was inspired by Napoleon’s coronation and his own choice of crest for the new empire.

Tactile enamelware dishes, an icon of British life for many years, beautifully smooth and light, are easy to pass around. The crisp white with blue trim is both stylish and entirely in keeping with the occasion (add a sliced red tomato for the full effect!)

For food, you might like to prepare the special Coronation quiche or return to an old British favourite like the quintessential Victoria sponge cake. We’ve added our own twist to the latter for our centrepiece cake - a blueberry Victoria sponge decorated with gold chocolate coins and an iced crown embellished with tiny blueberry and pomegranate jewels. Finally, don’t forget to add a bottle of something suitably jubilant- there are some excellent British bubbles to be found - perfect to herald the new monarch in true regal style!