331 years old… with royal seal of approval Coutts has been the pre-eminent financial lender for the great and good of British society for 331 years

Nestled on the Strand in the heart of London, Coutts has been the pre-eminent financial lender for the great and good of British society for 331 years.

Founded in 1692, it has served every member of the Royal Family since the late 18th century, and remains the King’s bank today.

Its non-royal clientele have included Lord Byron, Frederic Chopin, the Duke of Wellington, Charles Dickens, Lord Nelson and the Beatles.

British rapper Stormzy is a customer, as are Harry Potter star Emma Watson and several high-profile footballers.

But it is still best known as the bank to the Royal Family, so much so that there is a Coutts cash machine tucked away in the basement of Buckingham Palace – despite British monarchs never carrying cash.

In 1761, James Coutts took his brother Thomas (pictured) into the business, which became Thomas Coutts & Co in 1791

The famous bank’s clientele include King Charles (left) and British rapper Stormzy (right) – alongside a host of fellow celebrities

It has enjoyed royal patronage since its early years, when Queen Anne asked the bank, which was also a goldsmith at the time, to make the badges for the Order of the Thistle – a prestigious order of chivalry for Scottish knights, ladies, lords, dukes and earls.

In 1761, James Coutts took his brother Thomas into the business, which became Thomas Coutts & Co in 1791.

Its grand headquarters, which have existed on the Strand since 1692, boast a rooftop garden – which supplies honey from its own beehives – and meals from a private chef.

As the most exclusive bank in the world, Coutts insists potential customers must invest or borrow a minimum of £1 million or save £3 million with the bank in order to have the privilege of joining.