Jars of marmalade on counter

Source: Unsplash

The Queen starred in a televised sketch for the Platinum Jubilee, which saw Paddington Bear join her for tea and marmalade sandwiches

Sales of marmalade and royal tipple Dubonnet have soared following the death of the Queen.

Sales of marmalade were “up 40% last week” in the run-up to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, Iceland MD Richard Walker tweeted.

It comes after Royal Parks issued a statement on 12 September, discouraging mourners from leaving out marmalade sandwiches in tribute to Her Majesty.

The unusual mark of condolence was seemingly inspired by a skit performed by the late Queen for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The televised sketch saw Paddington Bear join her for tea and marmalade sandwiches at Buckingham Palace.

Her Majesty’s preferred marmalade brand, however, remains unknown.

It could have been Tiptree, Robertson’s or Frank Cooper’s, which all currently feature the Royal Arms on their packaging. Their parent companies – Wilkin & Sons and Hain Daniels Group – were both granted Royal Warrants by Queen Elizabeth II during her reign.

Marmalade wasn’t the only food and drink product to see a sales uplift in the days following the Queen’s passing, however.

Pernod Ricard-owned aperitif Dubonnet – believed to be the Queen’s favourite tipple –  sold out from Tesco’s and Waitrose’s online stores last week as shoppers rushed to stock up on the drink ahead of the funeral date.

Waitrose had sold out of the drink ahead of the Platinum Jubilee in June, reporting a 50% year-on-year sales increase at the time.