December 2024 saw the King and Queen’s second set of warrants following the start of the new reign.
A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household. There are currently more than 800 holders.
A Royal Warrant is initially granted for up to five years, with the official documents sent to the grantee as evidence of their authority to use the Royal Arms. The Royal Warrant does not give holders the right to claim or imply any exclusivity of supply.
When a company displays the Royal Arms in relation to their business, the Coat of Arms must always be accompanied by the Legend. This Legend provides the details of which Member of the Royal Family has granted the Royal Warrant, the company name, the nature of the goods or services provided to them and the head office address of the company.
Warrants can be cancelled at any time and will be reviewed if the grantee dies or leaves the business, or if the firm is bankrupt or sold.
Among those cut from the list in 2024 were Cadbury, which had held a warrant since Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century and consumer goods giant Unilever. No reason was given.
Among those given Royal Warrants in the latest round was Walker’s Shortbread, which recently saw the passing of its former managing director Sir Jim Walker.
Nicky Walker, MD at Walker’s Shortbread, said: “It is a privilege for Walker’s to be granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Majesty King Charles III for the supply of shortbread and oatcakes to the Royal Household. As an independent, family run business, we are extremely proud to carry the Royal Warrant which is a great honour and we feel is a true mark of recognition for our service and commitment to baking ‘Scotland at its finest’ for over a century.
“It is particularly poignant to receive the appointment following the very sad passing of my uncle, Sir Jim Walker recently. My uncle, my father Joe and my aunt Marjorie were extremely proud when Walker’s was granted the Royal Warrant for the supply of shortbread and oatcakes to the late Queen Elizabeth II and I know how delighted they would have been by this Appointment from his Majesty King Charles III. This award is testament to their legacy.”
Others to be granted this status for the first time include Ryvita, which noted the news as a timely milestone as 2025 marks its 100th year in business.
Diageo also saw a big win, with five royal warrants regranted across several of its brands – Justerini & Brooks, Johnnie Walker, Royal Lochnagar, Tanqueray Gordon & Company, The Primm’s Company.
Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading food wholesalers, was also awarded the Royal Warrant of Appointment as the purveyors of grocery, provision products and frozen foods – marking over 25 years that the wholesaler has held this accolade.
Companies can apply for a Royal Warrant of Appointment if they have supplied the Households of HM The King or HM The Queen with goods or services for at least five of the past seven years.
