Celebrating Platinum

With Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee imminent, I thought it apt to showcase some quintessential metal packaging I’ve come across commemorating the occasion. Royalist or not, you can’t deny there have been some beautiful products launched.

As you’d imagine, these products include a plethora of biscuit tins and tea caddies, so we’ll start there.

Fortnum & Mason has designed tea caddies, a caviar tin and even a musical biscuit tin that plays ‘God Save the Queen’. The London-based company states that its “limited-edition Platinum Jubilee Collection features an exclusive crown design, inspired by the passions and pursuits that have defined Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 70-year reign — from racing pigeons and champion horses to the lily of the valley that graced her wedding day bouquet.” The designs are all a turquoise metallic finish on a white background.

Cadbury’s Roses Jubilee Tin has been illustrated with a regal design, with an update on its signature roses and the shaped tin’s centrepiece comprising a crown and the dates of Her Majesty’s reign.

Marks & Spencer has, like Fortnum & Mason, gone down the musical biscuit tin route, along with two other commemorative tins.

The sweet treats don’t stop at biscuits however; food and beverage supplier Tate & Lyle has launched a special edition of its famous Lyle’s Golden Syrup tin (featured above), along with making a £25,000 donation to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).

Buckingham Palace itself also commissioned some Royal Collection products, including its purple tea caddy  inspired by the purple Robe of Estate worn by HM at her coronation. The border of decoration is based on the gold embroidery on the robe, which incorporates olive branches and wheat ears, symbolising peace and prosperity. On the front of the tin is the royal coat of arms, which has been specially painted for the occasion and includes the national emblems of the United Kingdom.

British breweries are of course also joining in with the celebrations.

Joseph Holt brewery in Manchester has created a Platinum Lager that also features a regal purple design and the Union Jack.

The Windsor & Eton Brewery is commemorating the Jubilee with Platinum Pale Ale. The cans for this feature imagery of Windsor castle and celebratory bunting in the streets below.

Electric Bear Brewing Co has created a new English pale ale in support of the Jubilee project, The Queen’s Green Canopy, with 30p per can of its Treetops English Pale Ale going towards funding tree packs for individuals and communities to plant in deprived urban areas across the UK for the benefit of people, wildlife and the environment.

UK supermarket giant Aldi has even launched limited edition British themed craft beers. With a choice of Session IPA, Session Pale Ale, British Ale and British Lager, all beers are packaged in limited edition cans with prints featuring Big Ben, a Tower of London Guard, Nelson on his Column, and the Queen’s corgis.

I’m sure some of the products on offer for the Platinum Jubilee will offer consumers not only a great themed celebration, but also some quality memorabilia, all thanks to metal packaging.

Have a great rest of the week, and if you’re in the UK, enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend!

• Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
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