The Palm Court Collection was made exclusively for The Fairmont Empress Store by William Edwards. This fine bone china is a replica of the magnificent stained glass domed ceiling in The Palm Court room which was designed originally as the perfect location for Afternoon Tea. However, when it was discovered that conversations at one end of the room could be heard by the guests at the opposite end of the room, it was soon relocated to the hotel lobby. After all, what was the point of taking tea if you couldn’t talk!

In 1967, a severe snowstorm shattered the stained glass dome beyond repair and the entire ceiling was covered over with a false ceiling and sadly, forgotten.

During the Royal Restoration in 1988-1989, the Palm Court ceiling was restored to its original splendor. The stained glass dome once more filtering softly colored light into the room. It is said that some of the original stained glass pieces were incorporated into the new ceiling. A second outer dome was added to protect the stained glass art below it from future mishaps.

Ten years later, it was discovered that the weight of the dome had caused the supports to sag and further restoration was needed, so Victoria stained glass experts Ed Schaeffer and Tom Mercer rebuilt the dome. The ceiling still stands proudly in The Palm Court today.

William Edwards has lovingly re-created this beautiful and intricate stained glass window into our custom contemporary style ‘Palm Court China”. This chinaware is 100% designed, manufactured and decorated in the UK exclusively for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and can only be purchased in our Empress Fairmont Store or online!