King Charles’ Favourite Things in London

Our recently anointed monarch is no stranger to the sights and sounds of the city, as well as the most fashionable tailors, exquisite perfumers, and 5-star hotels.

Charles has a love and appreciation of the finer things, whether he’s dining in a much-loved neighbourhood restaurant, visiting his favourite 5-star hotel, or picking up some of his favourite teas. Of course, it’s unlikely we’ll find him shopping of his own accord, yet we still have a glimpse into his tastes and preferred venues around town.

Read all about King Charles’ favourite things in London.

Floris No.89

A refined, elegant cologne can truly make an entrance – instantly turning heads – and have everyone around you wondering what it is that you are wearing? For His Majesty the King, he has always known how to enter a room in style.

The renowned, Floris of London – one of the King’s preferred perfumeries – is one of the oldest perfume houses in the world. Established in 1730 by Juan Famenias Floris and his wife Elizabeth, this family-run business continues to operate from the same St. James neighbourhood as when they first opened.

If you’ve ever wondered what the King of England smells like, look no further than fragrance No.89. This elegant blend of orange and bergamot with nutmeg, lavender and vetiver, makes this a true classic, and a timeless cologne. It’s the sort of fragrance that will appeal to anyone…you just smell good wearing it. Incidentally, this is the fragrance Ian Fleming mentions James Bond wearing in his classic novels!

Darjeeling Tea

It’s always somewhere close to teatime, don’t you think? And if you happen to be a member of the Royal household, you can be assured of a splendid tea, served at the ‘proper’ hour.

The blend of choice for King Charles is the fragrant Darjeeling leaf. This tea is known as the ‘Champagne of teas’ with its highly sought-after leaves which are grown in the foothills of the Himalayas. This is a smooth, silky tea perfect at any time of the day.

The legendary Fortnum & Mason store – long known to be a favourite of the royal household – carry this specialty tea. We recommend the loose leaf for the most delicious and fragrant tea.

I think this tea pairs particularly well with a sweet and savoury tea.

The Ritz

The Ritz is one of London’s most glamorous and sought-after 5-star hotels. This 100-year-old (and counting) institution has captivated generations; from Hollywood movie stars, politicians, to members of the British Royal family.

This grand hotel has long been a favourite of King Charles, and this year was given the prestigious Coat of Arms as well as the coveted Royal Warrant. Both these honours are unique and rarely given out. The Royal Warrant signifies excellence in your industry, while the Coat of Arms is specific to Charles’s new title as King.

We’ve heard that The Ritz is one of his favourite date-night spots with Camilla. If you remember back to 1999, this hotel was the venue of choice when they first made their relationship public.

The King’s love of this beautiful hotel has even been commemorated with a ‘Prince of Wales Suite’ which comes replete with the finest amenities including a full-service kitchen, as well as a dedicated butler.

This remarkable hotel – on the fringes of Green Park – is the perfect place to visit for some of the best food and drink in the city. We recommend their legendary afternoon tea – it’s as much as institution as the hotel itself!

Anderson & Shepherd

King Charles always cuts a dapper figure in a tailored suit, and with Savile Row close by in Mayfair, the best tailors in the world are at his disposal. Anderson & Shepherd are one of London’s finest bespoke tailors, and have been keeping Charles in classic, double-breasted suits for many years.

This renowned company is a stalwart of the famous ‘row’ since 1906. Their mission is to provide immaculate tailoring that is timelessly elegant yet comfortable to wear. Their specialty is the drape cut which is a silhouette which lends itself to a more comfortable and naturally wearable fit. You can see why the King prefers Anderson & Shepherd with the sheer number of social engagements he undertakes when being able to move and socialise with ease is key.

Mount Street

Mount Street restaurant is a decadent nod to British cuisine with a sumptuous menu: Lobster pie for two, Grouse with bacon, and Omelette Arnold Bennet…to mention but a few. The restaurant is a relatively new addition to Mayfair’s dining scene – opened in 2022 – it swiftly became one of the places to be seen with tables snapped up with gusto.

Two of the more head-turning guests include His Majesty the King and Queen Camilla, who are known to frequent this restaurant. It has, apparently, become one of the Queen’s new favourite places to eat.

The menu is elegant, indulgent, and with a price tag to match. I think the brunch option is a delicious first entry to this restaurant with dishes including Bacon Chop with bubble and squeak, Smoked Trout Benedict, and Coronation Chicken salad. Of course, if you want to go all-out, a dinner reservation is the way to go…and you never know who you may bump into!

Clarence House

The resplendent Clarence House is the much-beloved home of King Charles and Queen Camilla. This esteemed royal residence, located along the famous ‘Mall’, and right next to St. James’s Palace isn’t just ‘any’ royal residence – this is the preferred London home of His Majesty the King.

Charles automatically inherited Buckingham Palace when he became King and yet decided to remain at his current address, where he and Camillia have spent many happy years together.

He first moved into Clarence House in 2003, yet it had been a part of his life since childhood as it was once the home of his beloved grandmother, the late Queen Mother. He has said to have many happy memories of Clarence House from his early years.

If you want to see for yourself – where the King enjoys much of his free time – Clarence House is open to the public for a limited time during the summer season; this is usually around August so keep an eye out on the website for opening times.