In LoVe with London

New campaign by local brands celebrates quintessential British traditions

The grey skies of London may be legendary and its rainy days rampant, but at its height, the world bowed down to the city—“The sun never sets on the British Empire”, so goes the famous saying.

There was a time when the Empire ruled the world—from Australia to Zimbabwe. So many were the countries that they ruled that these states now come under the Commonwealth banner and host their own events, tied together only to their lineage to British rule.

But merely putting London on a political pedestal is overlooking other fields it triumphs at. In literature, Shakespeare weaved words that are re-read and translated centuries after they were written.

From London School of Economics to Central St Martins, the city trains the cleverest minds, shaping their thoughts and opinions that they may change the world. 

The British monarchy, from Elizabeth I, is a study of governance, resilience and of course, a sense of style and polished manners, honed by years of grooming, education and proper etiquette. 

At this year’s Oscars, Meryl Streep—an American—won her third statuette playing female British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady who was revered and feared my friends and enemies alike.