King Charles’ $20 merchandise item flies off shelves in minutes

Tourists and locals are flocking to the palace’s merchandise stores to snag some official. One item is outselling the rest.

King Charles III official coronation merchandise item that's flown off shelves.

In London

King Charles’ official coronation merchandise was always going to be sales dynamite – but one piece in particular has flown off the shelves in mere minutes.

At the three palace-credited stores peppered around the primary royal residence in London – The Queen’s Gallery, The Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace Shop – the $20 commemorative tea towel was far and away the hot ticket item following Charles’ crowning.

When I touched down in London last week, dozens of requests from friends and family came streaming in for Charles inspired merch to bring home, and so, I should’ve cottoned onto the tea towel demand when it was at the top of everyone’s wish lists.

Still, I didn’t give it a second thought until I bailed up all three stores a few minutes after doors opened Sunday morning to find the day’s stock had already been nabbed by the masses who’d queued up before opening time.

Tourists queue to enter the Buckingham Palace shop in London, England. Picture: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Staff even knew what I was about to ask for before I vocalised it.

“Excuse me, do you have the coronation tea …,” I was cut off, “They’re sold out,” the staffer responded, as if she’d worked an 8-hour shift dealing with this question, some seven minutes after the store opened.

The central design of the coronation tea towel is the Royal Coat of Arms supported by a garland of laurel leaves.

The King Charles III coronation tea towel is the hot ticket item.

The border is an entwined ribbon with the four emblems of the nations of the United Kingdom – thistle, rose, shamrock and daffodil. At the top is King Charles III‘s cypher and below the coat of arms is Their Majesties’ joint cypher.

At just $20 for one, and convenient to stow away in one’s luggage, it makes sense the tea towels are the most popular choice among tourists.

Other pieces in the official coronation collection are a little more delicate, and on the much pricier end of the spectrum.

The chinaware is crafted from the “finest English bone china and finished in 22 carat gold”.

The official coronation plate. Picture: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

One mug costs $56, while a teacup and saucer will set customers back $140. The limited edition plate (pictured above) comes in at an eye-watering $364.

Elsewhere in the range, there are keyrings, teddy bears, barware, magnets, socks and tote bags.

All profits from sales of the official chinaware range and commemorative items go to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity, for the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and access to the Collection through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programs.