A Celebration at Audley House: The History Behind Fellow Royal Warrant Holders & HS Walsh Customer - James Purdey & Sons
Wednesday evening saw HS Walsh's Patrick and Leo joining fellow Royal Warrant Holders James Purdey & Sons Ltd at their Mayfair boutique, Audley House, for a heritage evening showcasing over 200 years of business, along with a viewing of their historical collection.
As a fellow Royal Warrant holder and also HS Walsh customer, it was a pleasure to learn more about James Purdey & Sons remarkable history, as well as having the privilege of viewing their heritage pieces and exceptional British workmanship.
Founded in 1814, Purdey has enjoyed Royal patronage since receiving its first Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1868, with every British monarch since continuing the tradition. Although we have only held the Royal Warrant ourselves for 10 years, the sense of pride and commitment we feel was very much present throughout the evening, with a number of Royal Warrant holders from a variety of businesses also attending the event and sharing how important heritage is to us all. With HS Walsh approaching it's 80th anniversary in 2027 we very much share Purdey's commitment to quality and excellence.
Audley House itself tells a story - a blend of restored elegance and preserved history, from shrapnel marks on its marble pillars to the rebuilding required after an IRA bomb shattered its east‑facing windows in 1975. The building also played a role in WW2, with General Bedell-Smith using the room for Invasion Committee meetings as part of the D-Day planning and even hosting General Eisenhower on a number of occasions.
With many thanks to CEO Dan Jago and the Purdeys team, as well as the Royal Warrant Holders Association for a most welcoming and enjoyable evening, coupled with a humbling journey through their formidable history and showing how the brand continues to go from strength to strength as part of the Richemont Group.