As guests cruised up and down the River Thames, managing director Robin Vincent thanked them for their exemplary level of Clarins service and outstanding performance – “Here sits the cream of UK salons,” he said.

Robin reviewed the previous year’s trading and paid respects to Jacques Courtin-Clarins who died earlier this year, saying: “He will be remembered as a giant of our industry.”

He discussed the industry’s future, citing how it was dependent on constant client recruitment “as people are easily seduced away from traditional suppliers with the rise in popularity of plastic surgery, laser technology, and invasive improvement”.

He added: “Clarins remains benchmarked for industry – a high- quality, proven and trusted brand”, before proudly announcing that Clarins UK has been awarded the Royal Warrant of Appointment by Her Majesty The Queen. Guest of honour on the yacht was the Queen’s personal assistant, Angela Kelly, who gave a congratulatory speech.

[Angela with the Royal Warrant of Appointment]

In response, Robin said: “This is a great honour and we are enormously proud. We owe Angela Kelly a great debt of thanks for bringing Clarins to the attention of the Queen and putting us forward for this award.”

After a lavish lunch, the Gold Salon winners were announced. First place went to Lynda Tarpey of Pretty Woman in Leeds; runner-up was Anita Hamblin of Anita’s Hair & Beauty Reading; and third was Karen and Ruth Owen of Profiles in Hassocks, West Sussex.

[Gold Salon of the Year winner Pretty Woman, Leeds, collected by salon manager Jay Galton]

First prize included £3,500 cash, a specially commissioned award to commemorate the event, and a sumptuous dinner for the team at a restaurant of their choice, hosted by Clarins’ directors.