A Royal Occasion: Merci Maman collects their Second Queen’s Award!

A Royal Occasion: Merci Maman collects their Second Queen’s Award!

2020 saw Merci Maman as a company achieve massive growth and success. A result of this success is being awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category for a second time! We are absolutely belated to have achieved this prestigious milestone for a second time and it is definitely one of the most memorable moments of our year.

Merci Maman founders with Queen's Award
Our founders Béatrice and Arnaud posing with both our 2017 and 2020 Queen’s award!

From starting in Béatrice’s kitchen in 2007 to now having a team of over 50 people spread across our London, Paris and Berlin offices, Merci Maman has had quite the journey. Keep reading to see some of our biggest milestones.

The Award

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is given to British-based businesses and organisations that offer exceptional: international trade, innovation, promoting opportunity through social mobility and sustainable development. As a result of its exceptional status, it is the highest official UK award for British businesses and has been presented by the Queen since 1966. Consequently, Merci Maman is honoured to have been presented with this award for a second time, and as a brand we continue to strive and reach newer heights every day.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19, a ceremony to collect the award was not held last year. However, today is finally the day where our founder, Béatrice de Montille heads to Windsor Castle to accept the prestigious award from H.R.H The Prince of Wales and represent our brand!

Our Story

Béatrice created the first Merci Maman bracelet in 2007 at her kitchen table in Fulham, London with the intention to create uniquely personalised gifts that celebrate motherhood and cherish the special moments between a mother and her child.

Subsequently, In 2011 we moved into our first office located in Fulham, London. It’s from this office where we lovingly make, engrave, pack and send all the orders placed through the UK website!

In 2014 media attention suddenly surrounded the brand after the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, was spotted wearing a Merci Maman necklace that was gifted to her by sister Pippa. As a result of what some call ‘The Kate Effect’, the necklace has been aptly named The Duchess Necklace in her honour. After all this time, 7 years later it’s still one of our bestsellers!

In 2017, Merci Maman received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade for the first time. This is certainly one of our biggest highlights as a brand! Additionally, our founders Béatrice and Arnaud were presented with the award at Buckingham Palace!

Today as Béatrice heads to Windsor to collect her award and we hold celebrations in our London office, we take a moment to look back at all the things we have managed to achieve as a company. From our very first bracelet up till now, we have taken great care in our craftsmanship. Above all we pride ourselves in the service we provide to you! Our loyal customers who we hope to share many more milestones with.