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.

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A photo of Queen Camilla wearing a blue coat in front of a Christmas tree next to a shot of the Fortnum & Mason exterior in London decorated with a huge orange bow and lights filled with Christmas shoppers
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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 exterior of Fortnum & Mason department store surrounded by Christmas shoppers and decorations

The famous department store is always backed with Christmas shoppers.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"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.”

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
Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

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.