Robert Opie, the founder of London's Museum of Brands, has been collecting consumer products with a royal theme since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

His passion for coronation souvenirs started when he won a scrapbook competition at school with his compilation of bread wrappers, milk bottle tops, and pictures from magazines. Today, his collection comprises over 12,000 objects, many of which are dedicated to Britain's royals, including items from past coronations.

As the country prepares for the coronation of King Charles on May 6, Opie has added new items to his collection, such as labels of Cadbury chocolate and Lyle's Golden Syrup. He believes that these items would be lost if he did not save them, and that they provide a glimpse into history. Opie's museum in Notting Hill showcases consumer culture and exhibits objects from past coronations, such as a commemorative can of beer from the 1937 crowning of King George VI, with the beer still inside.

According to Opie, royal events form the "skeleton of history," and his collection helps people understand when things happened. The oldest object in his collection is a Delftware plate from the reign of King William III, who was on the throne from 1689 to 1702. Although the museum represents only a small sample of Opie's collection, he believes that the items, although trivial individually, come together to tell a powerful and exciting story. Photo by Museum of Brands, Wikimedia commons.