You'll Never Believe the Low-Key Christmas Gift Queen Camilla Was Spotted Buying at a London Department Store
She's following in Queen Elizabeth's footsteps.

When it comes to Christmas gifts, the world is the Royal Family's oyster, but Queen Camilla was spotted mingling with the rest of London's busy holiday shoppers—and picking up some very practical presents—during an outing on Dec. 17.
While The Queen could buy pretty much anything she wants, Camilla was spotted browsing through a display of £13.95 (roughly $17) tea tins at the late Queen Elizabeth's favorite department store Fortnum & Mason. According to witnesses (via the Daily Mail), Camilla chose "a cinnamon and orange black tea" after shopping "for some time" in front of a festive display.
Shockingly, The Queen "almost went unnoticed" in the busy store, and if you've ever been to Fortnums during the nightmarishly crowded holiday season, you'll understand why this scenario is so wild.
However, one shopper did spot Queen Camilla, who stopped by the store before heading to Sandringham for the holidays. The Essex native told the Daily Mail, " It was great to be that close to her, and I never imagined I'd be asking after the same tea as The Queen."
The famous department store is always backed with Christmas shoppers.
"I just went to ask the attendant how much the tin of tea was and then I noticed she was standing right opposite me—I could hardly believe it," he added.
The man continued that Camilla "had about four members of security with her but they didn't warn me off when I approached the table—that was a really good feeling."
Queen Camilla's shopping trip is hardly a royal first; her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, used to do her annual Christmas shopping at the historic London department store each year, too. Per the Fortnum & Mason website, the items listed for The Queen and the Queen Mother "to give as presents reveal a shared practical bent of mind, with breakfast trays, breakfast sets, garden furniture and hostess trolleys being particularly popular.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Fortnum & Mason tea is also a fan-favorite item with Marie Claire editors. Art director Montse Tanús recommends the brand's variety box of fruity teas, while my personal favorite is the strawberry, elderflower and rose flavor included in the Fortnum & Mason infusion trio. Digital director Jenny Hollander prefers the tried-and-true Earl Grey, and IMO, anything tastes better when it comes from a Fortnums tin.
While the exact tea Queen Camilla purchased doesn't seem to be available online, shop some of our favorite products, below.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Just Made Their Biggest Commitment Yet
It's also destroying their house.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Gets Down to Business in a Mocha Brown Suit
The star's business trip to Dubai began with sultry Saint Laurent suiting.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
New York's Acne Whisperer Launched Her First Rich Cream and My Skin Has Never Looked Better
Mega hydration without the risk of breakouts? Sign me up.
By Hannah Baxter Published
-
Queen Camilla's Son Reveals a Surprisingly Down-to-Earth Tidbit About His Royal Mom
Tom Parker Bowles shared some fun facts about his mother, The Queen.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why The King and Queen Invited Stanley Tucci, David Beckham and Helen Mirren to a Glitzy Royal Dinner
Donatella Versace, Victoria Beckham and more famous faces joined the event at Highgrove House.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles and Queen Camilla Could be Set for a "Major Royal Visit to the States" in 2026
"Normally, when you get a change of reign, and a change of president, there's a lot of two-way traffic," Robert Hardman tells 'Marie Claire.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla Says She Was Moved to "Tears" During One of 2024's Most Important Events
"It really did bring tears to the eyes."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Camilla Jokes Her Grandkids Are "Regular Visitors" to the Emergency Room During Hospital Visit
"My daughter will often call me saying 'Guess where I am?'"
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why the Royal Family's Annual Income Is Increasing by $56 Million in 2025
The royals will receive a whopping $165 million, which critics have called "scandalous."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Surprising Hobby Meghan Markle Shares With Princess Kate, King Charles and Queen Camilla Revealed in 'With Love, Meghan' Trailer
We're buzzing over this one.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How King Charles and Queen Camilla Cut Costs After Queen Elizabeth Spent More Than $1 Million on Her Royal Tour of Australia
Charles and Camilla appear to be on a budget.
By Amy Mackelden Published