As the world mourns Queen Elizabeth II, organizations with ties to the royal family are paying tribute to Her Majesty. Fortnum & Mason, the storied upscale market that served as the royal grocer, has honored the queen several times throughout her life; this is all about the store's royal history, and their latest tribute to Elizabeth.

In 1707, Fortnum & Mason was founded by William Fortnum, a footman for Queen Anne. Fortnum began his career by reselling candles used by the royal family, and his landlord Hugh Mason later joined him in opening a grocery store; Fortnum's grandson, William, served Queen Charlotte whilst expanding his grandfather's business.

Queen Victoria famously ordered shipments of Fortnum & Mason's concentrated beef tea for soldiers recuperating in field hospitals during the Crimean War; she later issued royal warrants granting permission for the grocer to use the royal family's seal in advertising materials. Queen Elizabeth II granted the grocer an extra warrant in 1954.

In 2022, Fortnum & Mason honored the queen's Platinum Jubilee with a nationwide dessert competition, calling on bakers to create a new pudding for the occasion. In light of her passing, the company has lowered its flag to half-mast, stopped the ticking of its iconic Piccadilly clock, and issued a heartfelt public statement on Instagram.

"It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," Fortnum & Mason wrote. "We are proud to have held a warrant from Her Majesty since 1954, and to have served her and the royal household [...] We are grateful to Her Majesty for a lifetime of devoted service to the people of the United Kingdom".