Harrods ...Through The Years Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charles Henry Harrod

Charles Harrod, the founder of Harrods, lived from 1799 to 1885. He was originally a miller by trade until he moved to London in 1834 and began his wholesale business in Stepney.

Answer: Knightsbridge

Charles Harrod bought a small shop in Knightsbridge in 1849, moving his business from the East End of London. At the time Knightsbridge was a newly developing area. Charles hoped that the Great Exhibition which was to be held in 1851 in nearby Hyde Park would benefit his trade.

Answer: moving staircase / escalator

Charles Digby Harrod took over control of Harrods in 1861 when his father retired. In 1883 the original shop was gutted by fire and Charles was able to rebuild something much grander on the site.
In 1889 Harrods became a public company under the direction of Richard Burbage.
The first escalator in Britain was installed at Harrods in 1898. Customers were offered a drink of brandy at the top to calm their nerves!

Answer: All Things for All People, Everywhere

Harrods' motto 'Omnia Omnibus Ubique' means 'All Things for All People, Everywhere'. This reflected the wide range of goods and services available. In addition to installing the first escalator, Harrods also pioneered telephone shopping. The other mottoes are from other British stores - Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Tescos.

Answer: 1938

The first Royal warrant was to the Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI (the father of Queen Elizabeth II). In 1955 Harrods received a warrant from Queen Elizabeth II and the following year obtained one from the Duke of Edinburgh. Further Royal warrants were to follow.

In the wake of the controversy following the death of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, the Duke of Edinburgh did not renew his warrant in 2001. The company announced it would not pursue the renewal of any Royal warrants and removed the seals.

Answer: True

During the Second World War the store produced uniforms, parachutes and parts for Lancaster bombers. Parts of the building were requisitioned for military use. The store remained unscathed.

Answer: House of Fraser

House of Fraser was founded by Hugh Fraser in Glasgow, Scotland. In the 1940s it began expanding, adding new stores including the Binns chain of retail stores.

Answer: the Al Fayeds

Mohammed and Ali Al Fayed bought Roland 'Tiny' Rowlands' 30% share of House of Fraser. Rowlands had tried to take over the company, but was prevented by the Mergers and Monopolies Commission. The Al Fayeds invested heavily, but focused primarily on Harrods.

They decoupled Harrods from the rest of House of Fraser, floated House of Fraser on the stock exchange and retained private ownership of Harrods. They engaged in a £300m refurbishment plan for Harrods. By the mid 1990s Harrods had one of the highest sales per square foot in the UK.

Answer: True

The gift was from the King of Albania. The elephant went to Sacramento Zoo.
Harrods also sold an alligator as a gift for Noel Coward.
In 1969 Christian the lion cub was bought from Harrods by two Australians, who cared for him in London until he was a year old. He was reintroduced to the wild by George Adamson (of Born Free and Elsa fame). A year later his former owners went to Africa to find Christian and see if he would remember them. By then he was a grown lion with his own pride. He did remember them and did not harm them.

Answer: Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed

Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed, Mr Al Fayed's son, were killed in a car accident in Paris on 31st August 1997. The first memorial was unveiled in 1998 and consists of two photographs of them behind a pyramid display which holds a wine glass Diana had been drinking from at her last dinner and what is alleged to be an engagement ring Dodi purchased the day before they died.

The second memorial, "Innocent Victims", is a bronze statue of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed and was unveiled in 2005.