THE week before last I was in London at The Orangery, Kensington Palace where the Goffs London Sale will again be held in June, on the eve of Royal Ascot. One purpose of the visit was to meet Rebecca Burdess from Skerries in Co Dublin. Rebecca is head of client services at one of London’s most iconic luxury stores Fortnum & Mason who will be a new supporting partner at the sale. The title sponsor is QIPCO and another returning supporting partner is Chateau Leoube from Provence, whose wine is a firm favourite among many who have been lucky enough to taste it.

Fortnum & Mason has been in business since 1705 and has an interesting story behind its initial success. William Fortnum was a footman in Queen Anne’s household and saw the opportunity in the royal family’s insistence on having new candles every night. This resulted in a lot of half-used wax which William Fortnum resold for a tidy profit. The enterprising William Fortnum, who also had a sideline business as a grocer, convinced his landlord Hugh Mason to be his associate, and they founded the first Fortnum & Mason store.