Jubilee Tea by East India

In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The East India Company is launching a limited edition tea with Royal connections. Harvested from tea that has flourished for nearly 60 years from a single tea bush planted by HRH Prince Philip during a state visit to Sri Lanka in 1954, the Jubilee Tea (£75 for 60g) is the most exclusive tea you will be able to buy in London this summer.

In 1954 the Queen was escorted on a state trip to Sri Lanka by her new husband HRH Prince Philip. On the 17^th April, as part of the trip, HRH Prince Philip was invited to visit the Pedro Estate tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya. To commemorate his visit to the estate, he was given the opportunity to plant his own tea bush, which subsequently flourished. Over the last 57 years, cuttings taken from this very special bush have been propagated on the estate resulting in an exclusive ‘royal tea’ area that will now provide The East India Company with nearly 30kg of luxurious black Ceylon tea. A subtle, long leafed tea with specks of Silver & Golden tips, this fine Ceylon tea has a touch of tippy leaves to give a golden liquor that is light, smooth, bright and delicate – with a slight hint of sweetness.

The limited edition Jubilee Tea is available nationwide from www.theeastindiacompanyfinefood.com or from the flagship The East India Company store at 7-8 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XF.

The Spirit of Chartwell

On this Sunday, the 3rd of June, the Royal Family will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee on the Royal barge, The Spirit of Chartwell.

On the day, up to 1000 boats will be on the River Thames in preparation for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, and other members of the Royal Family will travel as the centrepiece of the flotilla. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry, will be in attendance. 

If you are heading down, you can expect to see lots of red, white and blue on bridges and buildings along the river bank and hear church bells, fireworks, music and foghorns as hundreds of boats from all over the UK and beyond move at a gentle speed of four knots down seven miles of river. All kinds of boats will take part - rowing boats, historic, sailing and motorised boats, kayaks and canoes. It will take 75 minutes for the flotilla to pass any given point.

The Spirit of Chartwell

The ship that will lead a fleet of 1,000 boats down the river Thames in a spectacular show of pageantry for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee has been named - and we are delighted to report it will be The Spirit of Chartwell.

An artist's impression of the Spirit of Chartwell has been released based on designs which will transform the current barge for the celebrations next year. 

The monarch and Prince Phillip will travel along the water in ornate thrones under a golden canopy. 

The luxury cruiser has been donated for the occasion by owner Phillip Morrell.

In a nod to the richly decorated royal vessels of the 17th and 18th centuries, the sides of the barge will be adorned with red drapes, while the Queen's cipher and a crown will be displayed on the bow.

The floral displays will feature a red, gold and purple colour scheme with flowers from the Queen's own gardens.

http://www.spiritofchartwell.com/