By Donna Richardson
His Royal Highness King Charles II is marking his official birthday – the Trooping of the Colour today.
And in the lead up to the king’s birthday, one business owner from Lancaster got to meet the monarch twice in one week!
The owner of Neal Jones Furniture, a Lancaster company that designs luxury furniture for superyachts, met the king when he visited Lancaster on Tuesday.
His second encounter was on Thursday after winning the King’s Award for International Trade, which honours significant growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
The King, who is also The Duke of Lancaster, visited Lancaster to take part in the traditional Ceremony of the Keys and to celebrate Lancashire and its communities. The Monarch has taken part in this tradition when visiting the Castle since 1851, when the keys to the Castle were first presented to Queen Victoria. During the event, Neal had a chance to meet the King.
Then Thursday, Neal attended the ceremony for the King’s Award, given by His Majesty The King, at Windsor Castle, which recognised businesses that achieve exceptional success and show strong commitment in their fields.
Neal Jones Furniture has been recognised for achieving an impressive 111 per cent growth in overseas revenue over three years, with Italy, the USA, the Netherlands, Germany and other leading markets. Neal Jones is one of 197 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.
“We are deeply honoured to receive the King’s Award – a recognition of the highest order that celebrates not only our team’s dedication, but also the strength of British manufacturing rooted in the North of England. We are proud to display this emblem as a symbol of excellence, craftsmanship, and the values that define our work; both at the Monaco Yacht Show and across all our platforms,” said Neal Jones, Owner and Creative Director.
He was also delighted to meet the king again on Thursday in an award ceremony at held at Windsor Castle on Thursday 12 June.
Based in Lancaster, in the Industrious north of England, Neal Jones Furniture is a leading premium furniture design company that manufactures the highest quality bespoke furniture for homes and yachts, working with the world’s leading interior and exterior designers, architects and shipyards.
Its in-house workshop is home to exceptionally skilled master makers, supported by a network of specialist finishers and artisanal workers who uphold the company’s commitment to quality. All manufacturing is carried out exclusively in the UK to preserve traditional skills, support local industries, and maintain control over its supply chain, minimising carbon footprint and ensuring exceptional quality.
Rooted in the industrious North of England, Neal Jones Furniture is a benchmark for excellence in premium, bespoke furniture for both private residences and luxury yachts. The company collaborates with some of the world’s foremost interior and exterior designers, architects, and shipyards.
Central to its ethos is a commitment to British craftsmanship. All pieces are manufactured in the UK, within the company’s in-house workshop staffed by highly skilled master craftsmen. Neal Jones Furniture also partners with a network of artisanal finishers to ensure each piece meets the highest standards of quality. This localised production model not only supports the UK’s skilled trades and domestic supply chains, but also contributes to lowering environmental impact, maintaining control over material sourcing and overall product excellence.
The King’s Award for Enterprise stands as a resounding endorsement of the company’s global impact, innovation, and dedication to British industry. As Neal Jones Furniture continues to elevate standards in luxury furniture design, this Royal recognition affirms its position at the forefront of international trade.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful companies able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
