Posted by Hatchards on May 2nd, 2022

A Hatchards History

John Hatchard opened his small bookshop in 1797; the shop’s link with the royal family was established in the very early days. One of the first customers recorded in his daily ledger was Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III. Her first purchases were the five-volume L’Histoire de France and Baxter’s Dying Thoughts. She remained a faithful customer and her patronage undoubtedly helped the young bookseller. Hatchards has retained its link with the British Royal Family, providing books for the present Queen as well as many of her ancestors. We are now proud to hold the Royal Warrants for both Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. If you look above the front door and behind the main till you will see the royal crests.

The system of Royal Warrants, or Royal Charters as they were originally known, dates back to 1155 when King Henry II granted a Royal Charter to the Weavers’ Company. By the fifteenth century royal tradesmen such as William Caxton, the King’s Printer, were awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment. These were abolished by Oliver Cromwell but reinstated by Charles II. During the reign of Queen Victoria the Royal Tradesmen began to gather together to celebrate the birthday of the monarch and to this day we all still meet every year at a grand dinner. The monarchs have also come to parties held by Hatchards; in 1982 Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Hatchards Authors of the Year Party, signing our visitor’s book.

During her long reign Queen Elizabeth II saw seen many changes and Hatchards too has evolved during this time. In 1952 it was a relatively small shop, with mis-matched shelves and long, dark rooms. In 1983 the bookshop expanded into 188 Piccadilly and in 1991 the building had a total refit, resulting in the shop you see today. In 1998 Hatchards became part of Waterstones, the largest chain of bookshops in Britain, with bookshops in nearly every major town and city. Hatchards benefitted from being part of the large group but retained its name and individual character.

In 2014 another branch of Hatchards opened, in London’s St Pancras International. Whether commuting to work or journeying to Paris and beyond, we firmly believe that travellers need books and ‘Little Hatch’ has become a favourite supplier. In October of 2022, our third branch of Hatchards will open in the literary town of Cheltenham.

We are delighted to have served the royal family for over two hundred years and we hope to continue to do so for many years to come.