This visit to the factory was part of a wider tour of Norwich – her very first time visiting the city. Check out this incredible footage from British Pathé which documents her visit and features iconic Norwich landmarks including city hall, Norwich cathedral and, of course, the shoe factories that the city was known for.

Just a few months after her visit, on 6th February 1952, the passing of her father King George VI saw Elizabeth become queen.

A monumental occasion, Britain was consumed with patriotic anticipation of her coronation, and businesses such as Van Dal were keen to mark the occasion in style. Published in 1953, this vintage brochure from Van Dal pays tribute to the Queen’s coronation with an array of beautiful, hand-drawn diagrams depicting famous London iconography as well as the year’s range, inspired by “royal pageantry and national celebration”.

Take a look at some of the page designs, featuring depictions of the royal ceremony itself, famous London landmarks, and showcasing “a range of styles of great appeal and elegance”. One thing that hasn’t changed since then is our commitment to quality and, to this day, Van Dal shoes are still “all designed to give made to measure comfort”.

However you’re celebrating the jubilee this weekend, we hope you’ll have an amazing time and will join us in congratulating Her Majesty on this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.