We’re raising a very special Bronnley toast to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to celebrate her wonderful 90th birthday.
Those 90 years have seen unbelievable changes to the world we live in, but throughout that time Her Majesty has been a constant inspiration to many, including those who have worked with Bronnley during that time.
On April 21 1926, when HRH Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary of York was born, Bronnley had been established for over 40 years. James Bronnley had continued to grow his innovative company after the war. Amongst his creations were products developed specifically for women, including hand cream. In 1928, women over 21 were to get the same voting rights as men and department stores, like Selfridges & Co, were beginning to cater specifically for women.
Little Princess Elizabeth was a bonnie 3 year old in 1930 when adverts for Bronnley would have appeared in fashionable magazines of the day. Illustrated by Dominique Fircsa, this one features a stylish young woman, in her trouser suit, promoting Bronnley’s bath soaps and ‘Toiletries de Luxe’.
By 1940, the young Princess had blossomed into an intelligent teenager, who loved to read and ride horses. The second world war was taking its toll on Britain and luxuries, like soap were rationed. Despite this, Bronnley’s popularity increased as the quality soaps lasted longer than other makes.
Bronnley was given the royal seal of approval in 1943 when the Royal Warrant was awarded by Princess Elizabeth’s beloved father, King George VI.
In July 1947 the engagement of Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN was announced and they were married in November, with the beautiful bride wearing a wedding dress designed by Sir Norman Hartnell. The happy couple welcomed their first 2 children soon after, Prince Charles in 1948 and Princess Anne in 1950. Sadly, King George VI passed away in 1952 and Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen’s splendid coronation in 1953 was also the year Bronnley launched the romantic ‘Hearts and Flowers’ Collection, seen here in a window display and pretty brochure. This thoroughly ‘modern’ collection included bath & hand soaps, bath cubes, dusting powder, hand lotion & toilet water. The toilet water was described as “Economically priced to make Hearts and Flowers perfume a luxury for every day.” We’re sure that Her Majesty would have approved! In 1955, the Royal Warrant was continued, granted by Queen Elizabeth II, and Bronnley have proudly been ‘By Royal Appointment’ ever since.
