SAVILE ROW AT THE QUEEN'S CELEBRATION

Some of Savile Row’s finest were amongst a host of top names showing off their wares in the festival at Buckingham Palace early July, marking the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

Rubbing shoulders with such as Bentley, Garrards, The Ritz and Pol Roger, the bespoke tailors were part of the Royal Warrant Holders contingent, those exclusive suppliers to Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales.  Some of these have been around for quite a few coronations – Thresher & Glenny, for example,was already in business when the coronation of James ll of England took place in 1685, while Gieves & Hawkes (then separate firms) had started life half a century before the coronation of George lV in 1821.

Despite the grand surroundings, it had all the atmosphere of an English village fete, visitors jostling around the stands and thronging the extensive food and drinks section. Most had dressed for the occasion, ladies in summer frocks and some evening outfits for the gala nights, men favouring jackets and trousers, though such was the heat that jackets were soon jettisoned. After last year’s Jubilee Celebration, when the Queen, and the crowds,  stoically endured pouring rain throughout her Thames pageant, it was good for international consumption that London was to be seen in such a warm and sunny light.

Of the half dozen bespoke tailors who took part, Dege & Skinner were especially pleased with results.

"The Festival exceeded all our expectations," William Skinner told us. "Hugely enjoyable for all concerned, it proved to be an extremely worthwhile exercise in terms of business, as well as enhancing our family firm's reputation." They hold a Royal Warrant as tailors to the Queen.

“It has been very nice,” said Stephen Lachter of Kent, Haste & Lachter, holders of a Warrant as tailor to the Duke of Edinburgh.  “We can’t know whether it generates business but it is certainly good PR.”

Tailors Benson & Clegg, with a Warrant as badge, button and military neckwear supplier to the Prince of Wales, were showing cuff links, buttons and tie designs made especially for the occasion, which were just the sort of thing that visitors were keen to buy as souveniers.  “Yes, we’ve been very busy,” said a delighted Mark Gordon, director.

Henry Poole, Johns & Pegg, Thresher & Glenny, Bernard Weatherill and Gieves & Hawkes were the other bespoke names present. Top British menswear brands from the ready-too-wear field included Austin Reed, Daks, Holland & Holland and Barbour, with Kinloch Anderson providing the tartans and dress of Scotland without which no Royal occasion would be complete.

Only Boys Aloud were easily the stars of the gala evening stage show, a wonderfully enthusiastic and talented young choir from Wales. Dame Kiri te Kanawa got the proceedings off to a good  start with the National Anthem, Katherine Jenkins sang in a variety of dresses, and the style sector lacked style.

In four days, the Festival attracted over 60,000 visitors, many from overseas. Much champagne was consumed, as well as smoked salmon and other fine foods, but probably the most popular were Fish’n Chips, with really crisp batter and proper chips.

Fish’n chips on a summer’s evening in the gardens of Buckingham Palace – a memory to treasure. We’d love to know if Her Majesty also enjoyed this national dish.

From the top: Her Majesty, and the stage for the Gala in the Palace Gardens; ladies country suit by Dege & Skinner; shirt from Kent, Haste & Lachter; souvenier button set by Benson & Clegg, suit from Thresher & Glenny; and Angus Cundey and son Simon, left, on the Henry Poole stand.