Fit For a King – Truefitt & Hill Grooming Traditions

Step inside the world's oldest barbershop and discover how Truefitt & Hill continues to set the standard for luxury grooming after more than two centuries of service. From its prestigious St James's location, this historic establishment has served nine reigning monarchs whilst pioneering environmental responsibility in the grooming industry. The brand's exceptional product range, including the King Charles III-endorsed Highgrove Splash fragrance and expertly crafted shaving essentials, demonstrates how traditional British craftsmanship can meet contemporary needs without compromise. Experience the legacy that has attracted Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, and generations of discerning gentlemen who understand that exceptional grooming begins with exceptional products
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Alice Weil

Features Editor at The Executive Magazine

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Established long before luxury became a marketing term, Truefitt & Hill has operated from the heart of London’s gentleman’s quarter for centuries. The company’s journey began when royal patronage was earned through skill rather than claimed through advertising, creating a foundation of trust that continues today.

The establishment’s client history reads like a who’s who of British society and international culture. Nine reigning monarchs have trusted the company with their grooming needs, whilst Queen Victoria provided her personal endorsement. Literary giant Charles Dickens referenced the establishment in ‘The Uncommercial Traveller’, cementing its place in British cultural history. The client roster expanded to include Oscar Wilde, Sir Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, David Niven, and Frank Sinatra, each drawn by the company’s unwavering commitment to quality.

Today, the organisation operates as the first and only carbon-neutral barbershop in Britain, proving that environmental responsibility and luxury can coexist. The company’s products are proudly manufactured in Britain, supporting domestic craftsmanship whilst maintaining the exacting standards established over generations of service.

The St James’s heritage

The company’s current location on St James’s Street provides the perfect backdrop for its continued operations. When the establishment moved to this address in 1994, it joined a neighbourhood steeped in gentlemanly tradition. The area’s development began in 1662 when King Charles II extended a lease to Henry Jermyn, Earl of St Albans, over areas around Pall Mall.

Lock & Co. Hatters, the world’s oldest hat shop, has operated opposite the current Truefitt & Hill location since 1676. Berry Brothers & Rudd began supplying wine to the grand palaces in 1698, whilst Jermyn Street evolved into a hub of sartorial excellence. The proximity to Savile Row, which developed during the mid-1700s, created an ecosystem where gentlemen could complete their grooming and wardrobe requirements within walking distance.

Beau Brummell, Britain’s original dandy, was a regular sight in this neighbourhood, and his influence is commemorated by a statue at the entrance to Jermyn Street’s Piccadilly Arcade. The Albany apartments on Piccadilly, exclusively reserved for bachelors during the early 1800s, housed figures including Lord Byron and former Prime Minister Lord Gladstone, further establishing the area’s reputation as the epicentre of gentlemanly London.

Highgrove Splash: Royal elegance redefined

The collaboration with The King’s Foundation has produced Highgrove Splash, a fragrance personally chosen by His Majesty King Charles III. This distinguished scent opens with vibrant citrus notes that awaken the senses, seamlessly blending with exquisite cypress essence for a refreshing start to any day.

As the fragrance develops, the heart reveals tranquil lavender and exotic copaiba balsam, creating a serene yet invigorating presence that accompanies you through daily activities. The scent settles into grounding vetiver and uplifting cedarwood, providing depth and subtle complexity that evolves throughout the day.

The fragrance packaging features an original watercolour by His Majesty King Charles III titled “The Cedar Tree, Highgrove,” adding artistic elegance to your grooming collection. Each bottle represents a collaboration between royal taste and traditional fragrance-making expertise.

Application transforms the daily grooming routine into a moment of luxury. Pour a generous amount into your palms, allowing the fragrance to warm before applying just below the neckline. The coolness on the skin allows the cypress essence to meld naturally, creating a harmonious blend that develops uniquely with your skin chemistry.

Aftershave balms: Comfort meets sophistication

The company’s aftershave balm collection combines skin-beneficial properties with luxurious fragrances, transforming post-shave care into a daily ritual of indulgence. The Ultimate Comfort Aftershave Balm addresses the needs of sensitive skin through aloe vera extract, which soothes irritation and reduces inflammation caused by razor burn. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving skin smooth, supple, and perfectly prepared for the day ahead.

The 1805 Aftershave Balm enriches the post-shave experience with a fresh, oceanic scent featuring notes of citrus, lily, jasmine, amber, and musk. The aloe vera content provides the same soothing benefits whilst the distinctive fragrance creates a lasting impression of sophistication.

For those preferring a modern yet timeless aroma, the Mayfair Aftershave Balm blends fresh lemon and mandarin with rosemary, bergamot, neroli, and a subtle touch of musk. The formulation maintains the same skin-soothing properties whilst delivering a fragrance that complements contemporary lifestyles.

The West Indian Limes Aftershave Balm offers a vibrant alternative, combining lime and bergamot with mid notes of lilac, lavender, and rose, finished with a delicate orange blossom base. The quick-absorbing formula leaves skin smooth and hydrated whilst infusing it with a lively, refreshing scent that energises the morning routine.

Shaving creams: Traditional craftsmanship meets modern needs

The shaving cream portfolio demonstrates how traditional formulations can incorporate contemporary skincare science without compromising the luxurious experience that defines the brand. Each cream creates a rich, protective lather that ensures a smooth, comfortable shave whilst delivering distinctive fragrances that enhance the grooming ritual.

The celebrated 1805 Shaving Cream infuses the shaving experience with a revitalising blend of bergamot, mandarin, and cardamom. The formula, enriched with moisturising glycerin, creates a creamy lather that protects the skin whilst delivering an uplifting and calming fragrance that sets a positive tone for the day.

The Authentic No. 10 Finest Shaving Cream represents the pinnacle of traditional shaving preparation. Natural extracts including willow bark, borage oil, meadowfoam seed oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil work together to soften tough bristles and provide seamless blade glide. The subtle, citrus-based fragrance complements the cream’s exceptional lathering capability, ensuring each shave is both effective and aromatic.

Sensitive skin receives special attention through the Ultimate Comfort Shaving Cream, crafted to deliver the closest possible shave whilst protecting and aiding skin repair. Lavender essential oil provides gentle antiseptic properties to heal razor-irritated skin, whilst moisturising glycerin enhances glide and comfort. The unscented formulation prioritises pure relief for sensitive skin without compromising the luxurious lathering experience.

A complete grooming philosophy

The extensive fragrance collection extends throughout the product range, allowing customers to maintain consistent scent profiles across their grooming routine. Whether preferring the vibrant freshness of the West Indian Limes series or the rich, earthy tones of the Sandalwood range, each fragrance family offers coordinated products that create a cohesive daily experience.

The company’s commitment to British manufacturing ensures that every product maintains the quality standards established over centuries of operation. Supplier selection reflects the broader philosophy of preserving British heritage and craft, whilst environmental considerations guide production methods and operational decisions.

Understanding your skin’s specific needs and personal fragrance preferences enables you to select products that transform daily grooming from routine maintenance into a ritual of luxury and self-care. The diverse range accommodates varying requirements whilst maintaining the consistent quality that has attracted discerning gentlemen for generations.

Choose Truefitt & Hill for an experience that connects contemporary grooming needs with centuries of proven expertise, environmental responsibility, and unwavering commitment to British craftsmanship.

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