Royal-Warrant Tea for Autumn: Twinings & Fortnum Blends
Twinings and Fortnum & Mason have served the royal tea table for generations. Meet the warming blends, the remarkable histories and the secrets of the perfect autumn cup.
As the leaves turn and the afternoons grow shorter, there is one British ritual that feels more comforting than any other: the proper pot of tea. And if you want to drink tea the royal way, two names stand out above all the rest. Twinings and Fortnum & Mason have each supplied the royal tea table for generations. Here is our autumn guide to their warming blends, their remarkable histories and how to brew the perfect cup.
Twinings: three centuries on the Strand
The Twinings story begins in 1706, when Thomas Twining bought Tom’s Coffee House on London’s Strand and began selling tea alongside coffee. By 1717 he had acquired the neighbouring houses and turned them into the shop that still stands at 216 Strand today, making it one of the oldest shops in London. It is famously narrow, and well worth a visit if you are ever near the Royal Courts of Justice.
Twinings has two remarkable records. Its logo, created in 1787, is widely recognised as the oldest commercial logo in continuous use in the world. And in 1837 Queen Victoria granted the company its first Royal Warrant, since when Twinings says it has had the honour of making tea for every British monarch.
What to brew: For autumn, reach for the classics. A robust English Breakfast is perfect for a brisk morning, while Earl Grey, with its citrus note of bergamot, is wonderful at four o’clock with a slice of cake.
Fortnum & Mason: from Queen Anne’s footman to Piccadilly
Fortnum & Mason has one of the best origin stories in British retail. In 1707, William Fortnum, a footman in the household of Queen Anne, joined forces with his landlord Hugh Mason to open a grocery in St James’s Market. The shop’s connection to the royal court only grew, and today Fortnum’s has served 12 British monarchs. In 2024 it was one of the few companies to receive Royal Warrants from both King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Tea has always been at the heart of the story. In 1902, King Edward VII asked Fortnum’s to bring him the finest tea in the land, and the staff set off on a worldwide search. The result was Royal Blend, a smooth, honey-like blend of Assam from India and Flowery Pekoe from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), which is still sold today.
The warming Fortnum’s blends for autumn
- Royal Blend: The original, created for King Edward VII. Smooth, malty and wonderful with milk, it is a lovely all-rounder for an autumn afternoon.
- Earl Grey Classic: A black tea scented with oil of bergamot. The Earl Grey style is named after the British prime minister of the 1830s and has been an English favourite ever since.
- Countess Grey: A lighter, more floral cousin of Earl Grey with gentle orange notes, ideal if you find traditional Earl Grey a little strong.
- Smoky Earl Grey: Reportedly created in response to a request from the Palace for a smokier Earl Grey, it adds a campfire note that suits the season perfectly.
- Afternoon Blend: A light, refreshing blend of teas from the higher and lower regions of Ceylon, designed for the four o’clock cup.
How to brew the perfect autumn cup
- Start fresh. Use freshly drawn cold water and bring it to the boil.
- Warm the pot. Swirl a little hot water around the teapot before you begin, then pour it away.
- Measure. Use one rounded teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per person.
- Brew. Pour on boiling water and leave to steep for three to five minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
- Pour and enjoy. Add milk or lemon to taste.
For a closer look at the brewing method, see our guide to how to make the perfect cup of tea.
Perfect pairings
Autumn tea tastes best with something to nibble. Try:
- Royal Blend with a warm buttered scone and jam
- Earl Grey with lemon drizzle cake or shortbread
- Countess Grey with a slice of Victoria sponge
- Smoky Earl Grey with a ginger cake or a sharp Cheddar scone
For more on the full ritual, see our guide to afternoon tea, the most British ritual and the best afternoon tea in London.
Visit them in person
Both houses are well worth a visit. Twinings’ flagship shop and small museum at 216 Strand tell the story of tea in Britain, and Fortnum & Mason at 181 Piccadilly offers everything from loose-leaf tins to a personalised tea-blending workshop and a classic afternoon tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
Shop the autumn tea edit
Stock up on Twinings English Breakfast and Earl Grey for everyday brewing, and bring home a tin of Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend for the full Piccadilly experience.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Earl Grey and Countess Grey?
Earl Grey is black tea flavoured with bergamot. Countess Grey is Fortnum’s lighter, more floral take on the idea, with gentle orange notes alongside the bergamot.
Do I need loose-leaf tea to make a good cup?
No. Good-quality tea bags make a lovely cup, and loose-leaf tea in a pot gives a little more depth and ritual. Both work well.
Does a Royal Warrant mean the royal family drinks that exact tea?
A Royal Warrant shows that a company has supplied goods or services to the Royal Household for a number of years. It is a mark of quality rather than a statement about a particular blend.
Disclosure: Court & Capital is a participant in affiliate programmes, including the Amazon Associates Programme. If you buy through our links we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Mentions of Royal Warrants describe a company’s relationship with the Royal Household and do not imply endorsement of any particular product by a member of the royal family.
