My first cease on the hunt was Fortnum & Mason, the 300-year-old store on Piccadilly.

Well-known for top-quality tea and homewares, the Fortnum & Mason retailer has a devoted “coronation store” — the place a few of the most coveted mementos have been flying off the cabinets actually as quick as retailer workers might inventory them.

I watched as inventory folks wheeled carts of merchandise out to shows, just for customers to snap them up instantly.

I hoped to attain a teacup, however I used to be advised these have been lengthy gone regardless of one nonetheless remaining on show within the case. Nonetheless extensively obtainable, nevertheless, have been tins of each the coronation espresso in addition to the coronation tea.

I will be sincere, the tea did not look very tasty to me: a pineapple and coconut mix. However the memento tin was pretty, with a pair of flamingos and hibiscus flowers. So I purchased 4 at £13, or round $16 a bit — the proper items for family and friends again house.

I additionally received a few King Charles III tea towels for £13, or round $16, in addition to a field of chocolate crowns for £15, round $19.

I anticipated to search out the perfect goodies not in a correct store, however lining the streets, the place I figured distributors can be capitalizing on the chance.

It seems that I overestimated the ubiquity of such souvenirs. In my estimation, American avenue distributors introduced with an equal alternative would have seized it with way more vigor, flooding the streets with as a lot commemorative gear as they might promote.

However I seen an entrepreneurial child promoting Union Jack-printed plastic hats, in addition to Union Jack flags. I ought to have purchased them from him too — as a result of he was asking £1.50, round $2, and I ended up springing for a pair of two at £5, round $6, simply down the highway.

At one Piccadilly avenue stand, I noticed coronation commemorative mugs for £8, round $10, or two for £15, round $19.

Right here, there have been additionally bobbleheads depicting Queen Elizabeth II — however none of King Charles. This was a missed alternative as a result of I might have purchased one.

Certainly, essentially the most widely-available souvenirs have been flags of every kind.

There have been basic Union Jacks, King Charles-emblazoned flags, and even flags with Charles’ likeness subsequent to Queen Elizabeth’s, a nod to the road of succession in addition to the recognition of the late monarch.

Given the regular rain on coronation day, I might have anticipated to see opportunistic entrepreneurs promoting Union Jack umbrellas or rain ponchos. Whereas I noticed loads of folks carrying them, I noticed none on the market. Likewise was the case for plastic tiaras, crowns (inflatable and paper), and Union Jack headbands.

I additionally noticed some Union Jack sun shades (extra helpful on the day following the coronation, when the climate was extra favorable anyway), plus teddy bears, plush crowns, tote baggage, memento cash, and extra.

There have been paper masks of Elizabeth’s face in addition to pink, white, and blue face paint for patriotic shows.

Most curiously of all, I noticed a choice of Union Jack-printed cowboy hats. I handed on these, however I did scoop up a commemorative coronation sticker for my laptop computer (surprisingly, the shopkeeper gave it to me without spending a dime!) in addition to a mug to carry house which was £15, or round $19.