Businesses are seeking to entice royal fans with a slew of products marking the coronation of Britain's new monarch. Mugs, plates, tea towels, magnets, cushions and teddy bears are staple memorabilia for royal occasions and an array of these to mark King Charles' coronation on May 6 are already filling shop windows.
But some retailers are hoping more niche products will also catch the eye of consumers.
Toy brand Matchbox is selling made-to-order 1:64 scale models of the gold state coach, a fixture in royal coronations, while the card game Top Trumps has a new "Kings & Queens" version. Others are selling coronation varieties of the games pass the parcel, bingo and charades.
Biscuit maker McVitie’s has a limited-edition tin that pays homage to Charles and his wife Camilla's love of nature as well as the monarch's watercolor painting hobby, while numerous labels and supermarkets are marketing teas or sparkling wines.
Brand Caviar House & Prunier has a limited edition tin adorned with the Union Jack and the words "His Majesty's Caviar", while Premier Foods has celebratory packaging for products including Bisto gravy granules and Ambrosia custard.
Supermarkets have dedicated online pages for products and decorations for coronation parties - and the demand is there.
John Lewis Partnership, the owner of the eponymous department stores and supermarket chain Waitrose, said last week searches for coronation products on its website had risen more than 262% on the previous week.
Catalogue retailer Argos says one particular piece is faring well among shoppers - a cardboard cut-out of Charles.
“Our royal family selection of cardboard cut-outs have always been a favorite of our customers, with King Charles proving himself to be a top seller," an Argos spokesperson said.
"Even ('Frozen' character) Queen Elsa can’t compete in the run up to the celebrations."
