Royal Albert and Their New Country Roses

Royal Albert: A fine afternoon tea tradition. 

Perhaps most known for their pattern, Old Country Roses, a pattern launched in 1962 based on an older pattern, King's Ransom, Royal Albert has actually been around since 1896. Nowadays they fall under the larger company Royal Doulton which in turn is owned by WWRD (Waterford Crystal, Wedgewood, Royal Doulton).

Royal Albert prides themselves on being "dedicated to English grace, elegance, and romance since Victorian times," and thus, loves to emphasize floral motifs in their patterns, namely roses, England's national flower.

Recently, Royal Albert launched their New Country Roses pattern collection which actually encompass five different patterns: New Country Roses White, New Country Roses Pink, New Country Roses Polka Rose, New Country Roses Polka Blue, and New Country Roses Rose Confetti. All five patterns are refreshingly modern and playful, yet all hold true to the elegant tradition and form of Royal Albert. They are made up in pastel colors such as light sky blue, light minty green, pale pink and all have a similarly colored dark fuchsia pink rose motif throughout. Also, as is Royal Albert's tradition, they are all intricately rimmed in gold. While each of these sets look absolutely beautiful on their own, they are also very well suited to be mixed and matched together in anyway of your choosing.

Royal Albert New Country Roses White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose (photo via The Bowl Company)

I love every single one of these patterns. The Royal Albert New Country Roses White is just so classic and versitle while I love the Royal Albert New Country Roses Pink for the seeming contrast between the sweet pale pink of the body and the vibrant fuchsia of the roses. I think perhaps the Polka sets are my favorites though.

I love the playfulness of the polka dots: so sweet and so traditional, yet also so unexpected in a tea set! It seems that polka dots were very favorable on tea sets in the 1940's and 1950's yet it doesn't look like there's been many tea set with polka dots since. I am so glad that Royal Albert is now offering tea sets with polka dots as it appears they were doing back in the 1940's and 1950's! Out of the two polka dot sets, perhaps the Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose is my favorite.

I love the light minty green color of this set as well as the small white polka dots showering the outside of the set. Four evenly spaced little roses garnish the lid of the teapot as well as the inside of the tea cup walls while one additional rose also adds a finishing tough to the inside bottom of the tea cups. It seems to me the quintessential of country charm and it has such an authentic vintage 1930's and 1940's feel. Though in my eyes Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose is closely followed by Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue!

What I love about the Polka Blue set is its youthful vibrancy. With this set the polka dots are combined with large roses tastefully placed throughout the pattern. While it has a very modern feel to it, it is also very reminiscent of the 1950's: clean-cut, darling, mannered, and manicured.

Last but most definitely not least is the Royal Albert New Country Roses Confetti Rose. This set features small roses throughout the pattern interwoven with small black outlined vines and leaves in a traditional chintz style. What I love most about this pattern is the cups and saucers which, contrasting with the tea set, has the rose chintz pattern on the inside of the cup with a fine solid pale pink color as the main body. This set exudes class and elegance.

And here are some pictures of these patterns mixed and matched:

Royal Albert New Country Roses 3 Tier Cake Stand featuring NCR Pink, NCR Confetti Rose, and NCR White (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert Giftware Napkin Rings featuring NCR Confetti Rose, NCR Polka Rose, NCR White, and NCR Polka Blue (photo via The Bowl Company)

Royal Albert Teaware Set of 4 Mugs featuring NCR Polka Blue, NCR Polka Rose, NCR, Rose Confetti, and NCR Pink (photo via The Bowl Company)

And for those interested in this pattern but who don't desire a full tea set, there are also tea for ones available.

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose Tea For One (photo via the Bowl Company)

In actuality, there are all sorts of things available in these patterns from dinnerware, trays, tablecloths, kitchen towels, tea strainers, tea holders, candles... the list goes on. Looks like Royal Albert knows a good thing when they see it. :)

And here is the Royal Albert Polka Blue set and Polka Rose set in action. I just newly acquired the Royal Albert Polka Blue set from The Bowl Company and I love it every bit as much as I thought I would and more! The pictures truly do not do these sets justice!

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue Tea Set with Sandwich Tray

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue with Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose

Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Blue with Royal Albert New Country Roses Polka Rose