CHAMPAGNE The British and Royal Connection

The British Royal family has marked countless milestones with Champagne as the ultimate drink of celebration, and May 2023 marks a significant moment in British history with the Coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort. To mark this special moment in Britain’s history, the Champagne Bureau UK is celebrating the relationship that Champagne has had with Britain over the last three centuries. When Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Victoria, married Prince Frederick of Prussia in 1858, Champagne was served at the reception. Additionally, guests enjoyed Champagne at The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, which she is believed to have enjoyed as a nightcap throughout her life.

The history of Champagne in the British royal family began in the 17th Century when King Charles II tasted the sparkling wine during a visit to France. However, it wasn’t until the 19th Century that Queen Victoria truly solidified the relationship between the British royal family and Champagne. In 1868, she had a representative write to a Champagne brand asking them to send 100 bottles to the British embassy in Paris. The shipment, he noted, must contain the same Champagne as an earlier one the Queen had enjoyed, which was “consumed with great pleasure by her Majesty and the members of her retinue.” Not long after, he thanked the Champagne brand, noting: “I assure you that the wine was served at the Queen’s table every day.”

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The British Royal family has continued to play a role in the promotion and consumption of Champagne, with Queen Victoria the first British monarch to issue royal warrants to Champagne producers. While various forms of officially recognizing purveyors to the court date to the 12th century, the Royal Warrant system that is still in use today originated with George IV, who reigned from 1820-1830. A recognisable connection between the British Royal Family and Champagne is the tradition of christening ships with a bottle of Champagne, a practice that began during Queen Victoria’s reign. This tradition continues to this day, with the most recent example being the christening of the HMS Prince of Wales by The Queen Consort in 2019.

Winston Churchill was known for his fondness of Champagne. As his daughter, Mary Soames, once said, “I saw him many times the better for it, but never the worse.” Churchill liked older vintages of Champagne, and, because he drank it with food, favoured a robust style with Pinot Noir grapes. Throughout the 20th century, Champagne continued to be a popular choice among Britons for celebrations and special occasions. Even during times of hardship such as the Second World War, Champagne remained a symbol of hope and resilience. Many cellars in fact were used as shelters and today bear the marks of messages graffitied on the walls. As Winston Churchill said on the eve of the First World War, “Remember gentlemen, it’s not just France we are fighting for, it’s Champagne!”.