In an age of TikTok celebrity ad campaigns and #gifted product content, an honest and strictly regulated stamp of approval is perhaps more valuable than ever. Cue the Royal Family, the original influencers, and a rare celebrity endorsement you can actually trust. For everything from umbrellas to perfume to sports cars, the family dishes out official Royal Warrants for the goods they and their households use.
British monarchs have been issuing these since the 15th century, but it wasn’t until 1840 that a young Queen Victoria felt the need to stop imposters cashing in on the royal name, creating a strict set of rules and criteria. She and Prince Albert were big fans of the Royal Warrant idea, and she issued nearly 2,000 to British businesses during her 63-year tenure.
Still, getting hold of one is not as easy as a member of the Royal Family simply saying they use a product or service. A brand must have supplied either the reigning monarch, their spouse or the Prince of Wales for at least five of the last seven years to be considered. Even when a Royal Warrant is eventually granted, it’s up for review every five years, and can be taken away if the company is no longer up to scratch. Whether the business is an international fashion house or a supplier of marmalade, the process of receiving and retaining the endorsement is the same. Most importantly, the relationship between the Royal Warrant giver and receiver must always be commercial, not gifted.
Perhaps this is why, when we look inside our Burberry trench coat, Hunter wellies or Musto sailing jacket and see ‘By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen’ stitched into the lining, it still feels like the real deal. Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, however, things are set to change for many brands, as those endorsed by Her Majesty alone will only be able to lay claim to the prestigious title for a maximum of five years after her death. Going forward, new warrants may only be granted by King Charles III and the Prince of Wales, meaning many female-centric brands, such as the Queen’s skincare and jewellery suppliers, may be set to miss out. Here are the London-based Royal Warranted brands to shop while you still can…
The Goring Hotel, Belgravia
By appointment to: The Queen for Hospitality Services
The Goring is the only hotel in London (and the world, for that matter) to have been granted a Royal Warrant, and the Duchess of Cambridge chose to stay there the night before her wedding. Grand and majestic, it’s also the only five-star hotel in London that is owned and run by the family that built it (the Goring family, 112 years ago), and the closest to Buckingham Palace. To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, it’s created a traditional afternoon tea menu, various coronation-inspired dishes, and a garden installation showing the Royal Family’s favourite plants and flowers. For a splash-out hotel stay in London, The Goring is well-placed within strolling distance of the Royal Parks and some of the city’s best shops, theatres and galleries.
Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly
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By appointment to: The Queen as a Grocer and Provision Merchant and The Prince of Wales as a Tea Merchant and Grocer
More in the way of afternoon tea, it doesn’t get more quintessentially British than the Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason, opened by the Queen herself to mark her last jubilee. Fortnum’s has had close ties with the royals since day one – it was founded when Queen Anna gave her footman William Fortnum permission to sell on discarded candles from St James’s Palace in 1707 – and currently holds two Royal Warrants. Aside from beautifully packaged loose leaf tea and wicker hampers laden with goodies, the Food Hall is a wonderful place to discover start-up food brands and artisanal producers.
Partridges London, Chelsea
By appointment to: The Queen as a Grocer
The official grocers to Her Majesty, this decadent food store in Chelsea (think lavish cheese selections, foie gras and whole sides of gravadlax) has in recent years become better known for the vibrant Duke of York Square Fine Food Market held every Saturday, where street food and champagne draw in the Sloane Square brigade. On Saturday 4 June, the King’s Road will be pedestrianised for a huge street party, with a Royal Commonwealth Market curated by Partridges, live music and festivities.
Lock & Co Hatters, St James’s
By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as a Hatter
Aside from boasting a Royal Warrant from Prince Charles, Lock & Co has two other impressive claims: it is the oldest hat shop in the world, and the oldest shop in London. For 345 years, the original store on 6 St James’s Street has worked with the best felts, tweeds, cloth, and cashmere fabrics to cover the heads of London’s great and good. Behind a tiny, unassuming shop front, a rabbit’s warren of classic and modern hats makes for a totally unique shopping experience.
Turnbull & Asser, St James’s
By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as a Shirtmaker
The men of the royal household – Princes Phillip, Charles, William, and latterly even little George and Louis – have long been icons of classic British gentleman’s attire. It’s no surprise therefore that timeless brands such as Turnbull & Asser are their shirtmakers of choice. Known for its made-to-measure service, as well as off the hanger evening shirts, the Jermyn Street outfitter also sells tailored smoking jackets, suits and even pyjamas.
John Lobb, St James’s
By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as a Bootmaker
St James’s has long been a hotspot for Royal Warrants when it comes to men’s clothing – but it’s also the place to go in London for classic shoes. Such is the case with John Lobb, a name which has been synonymous with traditional English craftsmanship and fine, handmade boots for over 170 years. Still run by the Lobb family, the shoemakers famously fashion each pair of shoes uniquely to each foot and lower leg, keeping a wooden ‘foot tree’ for each bespoke client in their archives below ground.
Burberry, across London
By appointment to: The Queen as a Weatherproofer and The Prince of Wales as an Outfitter
Royal Warrants are not reserved for small, family-run artisanal companies; even The Queen isn’t immune to the attractions of a brand like Burberry. Officially, the British fashion house is credited as ‘Weatherproofers’ to The Queen and ‘Outfitters’ to the Prince of Wales, supplying the outdoors-y gear they so famously love. To mark the Platinum Jubilee, Burberry has designed a limited edition silk scarf, inspired by ancient British woodlands and the four nations of the United Kingdom.
Molton Brown, across London
By appointment to: The Queen as a Supplier of Toiletries
Ever wondered which hand soap the Queen has in her downstairs loo? Well, it’s likely to be Molton Brown, whose collection of signature fragrances, bath and shower gels, home and hand care luxuries have claimed the Royal Warrant for ‘Supplier of Toiletries’ since 2013. Rumour has it that you’ll find a set of its Orange & Bergamot hand wash and lotion in the bathrooms at Balmoral.
Clarins, across London
By appointment to: The Queen as a Manufacturer of Skin Care and Cosmetics
Clarins is one of those rare beauty brands that spans all generations, with iconic products such as the Beauty Flash Balm and Double Serum gracing the wash bags of young and old alike. The Queen appointed Clarins as her official ‘Manufacturers of Skin Care and Cosmetics’ long ago, but the love affair doesn’t stop there: in 1953, she actually commissioned the brand to create a shade of lipstick to match her coronation robes for her ceremony. In tribute to the monarch and long-standing supporter, Clarins recently launched a Platinum Jubilee Hand & Nail Cream duo, scented with Japanese Mulberry extract. Yes, the brand may technically hail from Neuilly-sur-Seine in France but, with a history like this (and a London HQ), we think it deserves a place on this plist.
Floris, St James’s
By appointment to: The Queen as a Perfumer and The Prince of Wales as Manufacturer of Toilet Preparations
Floris is known to be the Queen’s go-to perfume brand, with unconfirmed rumours that she favours their signature White Rose scent. What is confirmed is that she wore a Floris scent on her wedding day (as did Meghan Markle, incidentally), and that it haz been her official ‘Perfumers’ ever since her coronation. Floris was first appointed ‘Smooth Pointed Comb Maker’ to King George IV in 1820, with a handful more Royal Warrants in between. To mark the Jubilee, Floris has launched a limited edition woody scent called Platinum 22 Eau de Parfum, inspired by the royal gardens.
Mappin & Webb, across London
By appointment to: The Queen as a Jewellers, Goldsmith and Silversmith and to The Princes of Wales as a Silversmith
Old-school jewellery and watch shop Mappin & Webb has been a warranted silversmith to the past five monarchs, but in 2017 it was finally promoted to the position of the Crown Jeweller: custodian of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. For us mere mortals, its three London stores (Soho, Regent Street and the City of London) are a fabulous place to peruse new and vintage Rolexes and shop for silver-plated cutlery, diamond-studded jewellery and gifts.
Cartier, across London
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By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as a Jeweller and Goldsmith
Much has been speculated about the Queen’s favourite leather-strapped watch, worn when she’s dressing more casually, but the brand has never been revealed. Still, experts reckon it might be a bespoke vintage Cartier Tank, and the association has stuck. The French jeweller set up shop in London just in time for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, and have been a family favourite ever since: King George VI bought his wife many pieces from Cartier, the Duke of Windsor purchased Wallis Simpson a sapphire brooch from the brand in 1949, while the Duchess of Cambridge famously favours her Cartier Ballon Bleu. Cartier has a handful of shops across London, but the Bond Street flagship is the most magnificent.
Garrard & Co, Mayfair
By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as Jeweller, Goldsmith and Silversmith
Garrard may recently have lost its position as Crown Jeweller (to Mappin & Webb, see above), but the historic jeweller is still as lustrous and sparkling as ever. From Queen Mary’s consort crown to Princess Diana’s engagement ring, the Mayfair goldsmith has crafted some of the most famous royal jewels of all time. Garrard is also the UK’s only fully independent jeweller, meaning it does every aspect of jewellery creation in-house, from sourcing diamonds to cutting and setting them.
Asprey London, Mayfair
By appointment to: The Prince of Wales as a Jeweller and Silversmith
For fine leather goods – wallets, purses, journals, briefcases and so on – Asprey is as classic as it is versatile. The company started out making leather trunks and travelling cases in 1781, but over the centuries has become a go-to for timeless investment pieces. Its showroom on Bruton Street, just a stone’s throw from Burlington Arcade, is filled with rare coloured diamonds and luxurious handmade goods, and well worth a visit.
Berry Bros and Rudd, St James’s
By appointment to: The Queen and The Prince of Wales as a Wine & Spirits Merchant
When it comes to procuring booze, Berry Bros and Rudd has long been the go-to for the monarchs. In fact, as Britain’s oldest wine merchant, the firm has supplied the British Royal Family since the reign of King George III in 1760. Today, the family business holds two Royal Warrants, for both The Queen and Prince Charles, but is never one to rest on its laurels. With a predominantly female leadership under Lizzy Rudd and a strong focus on sustainability, it’s marking the Jubilee with a limited-edition, capsule-free Good Ordinary Claret which will see a percentage of profits go to the Queen’s Green Canopy and Woodland Heritage Trust.
Read more: The Rixo guide to West London
FAQs
What does it mean when a product says By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen? ›
A Royal Warrant of Appointment is a document that permits a company to use the Royal Arms in connection with its business in an appointed trading capacity. It is granted for up to five years at a time as a mark of recognition for the ongoing supply of goods or services to the Royal Household.
What stores have Royal Warrants? ›Many retailers hold a Royal Warrant, including Waitrose, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, with FMCG giants such as Heinz, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Premier Foods, Unilever, British Sugar and Britvic also on the list. Around 30 Royal Warrants are typically granted each year, with a similar number being terminated.
Who holds all three Royal Warrants? ›These are known as the Grantors. Today HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales grant Royal Warrants. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh were also grantors of Warrants. There are currently over 800 Royal Warrant holders.
Which Jeweller has a Royal Warrant? ›Asprey held the warrant until her death in 2002. The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Charles gave Asprey a Royal Warrant as Jewellers, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths. Asprey continues to hold this Royal Warrant today.
How many companies have Royal Warrants? ›Royal warrants of appointments are issued to companies that supply goods or services to the royals. There are over 800 Royal Warrant holders, from individual shops to global organisations who have been given the royal stamp of approval.
How do I get royal seal of approval? ›A company must have supplied its product to one of the royal family for at least five years. An application can then be made, which will be considered at the annual Royal Household Tradesmen's Warrants Committee meeting, chaired by the Lord Chamberlain. They will judge the product on quality and standard of service.
What happens to products with a Royal Warrant? ›Companies awarded one are presented with an official document and are given permission to display a royal coat of arms on their packaging for at least five years, or until their warrant is cancelled. According to the Royal Warrant Holders Association, 40-60 brands lose theirs each year.
What supermarket does the Queen use? ›Heinz, which has been providing the royal households with products since 1955, said it “sincerely hopes to be able to continue doing so for many years to come”.
Where do the Royals get their food? ›Fortnum & Mason. Located in London's Piccadilly and founded in 1707, Fortnum's Food Halls are the place to go for exquisite foods. Fortnum's has been connected to royalty since its beginnings when one of Queen Anne's footmen started the business with his landlord Hugh Mason.
How much is a Royal Warrant worth? ›City firm Brand Finance estimate royal warrants are worth £4.5bn to companies with the royal seal of approval. They claim firms with warrants are able to charge more for their products and generate a higher volume of sales into the future.
What does the Queen eat? ›
Simple cooked meat and vegetables lead the way, with space for pheasant or venison should the Queen wish. Of course, Queen Elizabeth loved a Sunday roast just as much as anyone else. Along with chocolate, the Queen enjoyed some strawberries or peaches for dessert.
Does Harrods have a Royal Warrant? ›Harrods lost its royal warrant in 2000, thanks to a "significant decline in the trading relationship over several years."
Who makes the Queen's jewellery? ›The World of Garrard
Garrard has long been the first choice for those looking to wear the most exquisite jewellery on earth. From Queen Mary's consort crown to the Duchess of Cambridge's engagement ring, discover how Garrard has represented the very best of British design and craftsmanship for almost 300 years.
The current Crown Jeweller is Mr Mark Appleby, who was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen in 2017. He is the 10th Crown Jeweller, a position that is bestowed upon an individual by The Sovereign.
Does Burberry have a Royal Warrant? ›From HP sauce to Burberry, the future of the Queen's endorsements is up in the air. HP Sauce is just one of the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite brands — and they are among hundreds of products that hold royal warrants.
What brands does the Queen use? ›Her Majesty's shopped at some affordable brands, many of which are our personal favourites too. From John Lewis and Barbour to Aspinal of London and Smythson, these were some of the Queen's favourite brands across fashion and accessories, home, stationery and more...
Does John Lewis have a Royal Warrant? ›On 1 January 2008, the Oxford Street store was awarded a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II as "suppliers of haberdashery and household goods". John Lewis & Partners Reading is also the holder of a Royal Warrant from the Queen in 2007 as suppliers of household and fancy goods.
Does Tesco have a Royal Warrant? ›Waitrose is the only supermarket in the UK with a Royal Warrant, Hello reports, meaning it has been approved to supply goods to Buckingham Palace. The warrant is so prestigious, it only lasts five years in total, before it has to go through the process of renewal to be approved again.
Where is the Queen buried? ›Later that evening, the Queen was buried with her husband, Prince Philip, alongside her parents and sister in Windsor Castle's King George VI Memorial Chapel in the Royal Vault. The burial and service was entirely private, attended by King Charles and other members of the royal family.
What does the royal seal of approval mean? ›The Great Seal of the Realm is the chief seal of the Crown, used to show the monarch's approval of important State documents. In today's constitutional monarchy, the Sovereign acts on the advice of the Government of the day, but the seal remains an important symbol of the Sovereign's role as Head of State.
Does Nestle have Royal Warrant? ›
Nestlé: The sweets brand has held a royal warrant since 1905. Around 97 percent of UK households consume Nestlé brands and more than $465 million worth of its products are sold there every year.
What happens to a Royal Warrant after death? ›According to the Association, when a grantor (such as Queen Elizabeth II) dies or abdicates: "The Royal Warrant document will become void, but the company or individual may continue to use the Royal Arms in connection with the business for up to two years, provided there is no significant change within the company ...
What chocolate has a Royal Warrant? ›Bournville remains the home of Cadbury chocolate and in the years from its foundation in 1879, it has grown to produce millions of Cadbury chocolate products every year. Cadbury is proud to have been granted its first Royal Warrant in 1854. It has been a holder of a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen since 1955.
How does a product get a Royal Warrant? ›How does a business qualify to apply for a Royal Warrant? By supplying products or services on a regular and on-going basis to the Royal Households of Grantor/s for not less than five years out of the past seven. All Households are funded separately.
What is the Queen's Favourite food? ›The former royal chef revealed the Queen loves chocolate!
"For a first course she loved the Gleneagles pâté, which is smoked salmon, trout and mackerel. She loved using ingredients off the estate and so if we had salmon from Balmoral from the River Dee, she'd have that, it was one of her favourites.
For the last 24 years her outfits have been designed and produced in-house by a small team of around 10 people, led by her personal dresser Angela Kelly. Each item the Queen wears is bespoke, and before the pandemic she was attending more then 300 engagements a year.
Does Kate do her own shopping? ›Kate Middleton occasionally goes grocery shopping
The Duchess of Cambridge is known to do some cooking at least occasionally. And the Kensington Palace apartment that she shares with her husband and her three children has three kitchens: two for staff and one for the family.
Does the Queen ever cook for herself? McGrady says that while Prince Philip was an “amazing chef” and regularly enjoyed cooking on the grill and having family BBQs on the Balmoral estate, and the younger royals like William, Kate, Meghan and Harry, all enjoy cooking, the Queen herself stays out of the kitchen.
What time does the Queen go to bed? ›It's said that in order to feel fresh for her daily appointments the Queen always went to bed at the same time every night, 11pm, and slept for eight and a half hours – meaning she woke at 7.30am each day. It's so simple.
Does the Queen dress for dinner? ›Naturally, the royals dress up more than the average family. Most dinners are formal affairs, meaning that women wear dresses and stockings, and men wear trousers and coats. Other guidelines, like wearing modest necklines, apply as well. Here are two more rules you need to follow if you eat with the Queen.
How many Royal Warrants does the Queen have? ›
Elizabeth II granted 686 Royal Warrants during her reign. Warrants that had not previously expired were subject to review upon her death in September 2022. Warrant holders have two years to discontinue the use of her Royal Arms. During his tenure as Prince of Wales, Charles III granted 159 Royal Warrants.
What does a Royal Warrant do? ›Royal warrants of appointment have been issued since the 15th century to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, thereby lending prestige to the brand and/or supplier.
Does Guinness have a Royal Warrant? ›Guinness loses Royal warrant | HeraldScotland.
Does the Queen eat pizza? ›For Queen Elizabeth, pizza was off the menu
In an interview with Us Weekly, chef Darren McGrady said that Queen Elizabeth never once requested pizza (via Us Magazine).
According to Darren McGrady, the queen often avoided eating starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, and rice, with the only exceptions being made on very special occasions.
Who cooks for the Queen? ›Kathryn spent 14 years working in five star hotels and Michelin starred restaurants before joining the The Royal Household. Kathryn's team are involved in everything from staff lunches and meals for two, to receptions and state dinners.
Does the queen do her own shopping? ›Her Majesty was 25-years-old when she took the throne back in 1952 following the death of her father, King George VI. As one of the world's most influential women, it is hard to believe that the Queen actually does her own shopping.
Why is Prince Philip not allowed in Harrods? ›Al Fayed added that Philip, the queen's husband — whom Al Fayedhas accused of masterminding the 1997 Paris car crash that killedPrincess Diana and his son, Dodi — is no longer welcome in thestore.
Does Harrods have a dress code? ›"Proper attire, including tops and shirts, must be worn at all times. We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone wearing attire that we consider inappropriate. Visible tattoos and clothing that contain objectionable language or designs are not permitted."
What does by appointment to mean? ›Definition of by appointment
: by an agreement to meet at a particular time The doctor sees patients by appointment only.
What means HM Queen? ›
Pronoun. Her Majesty. (formal) A title of respect used when referring to a queen. (informal, sarcastic) A sarcastic way of referring to any female who is (or appears) pompous or bossy.
What foods have the royal seal of approval? ›Heinz ketchup, Colman's mustard and Gordon's gin all bear the Royal Seal on their products so if the King doesn't approve them again, it's bye-bye to the packaging we all know and love.
What does the HM in front of Queen mean? ›Majesty (abbreviated HM for His Majesty or Her Majesty, oral address Your Majesty; from the Latin maiestas, meaning "greatness") is used as a manner of address by many monarchs, usually kings or queens.
What does being appointed mean? ›To be appointed is to be given a task or job. If you're appointed as the week's doughnut fetcher at work, it means you've been assigned the job of bringing treats for everyone. You might be appointed for a small duty or for a large promotion, as when the gym teacher at school is unexpectedly appointed principal.
What is a sentence for appointment? ›Examples of appointment in a Sentence
I'm late for an appointment. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. The court ordered the appointment of an attorney to represent the child.
Definition of appointed
1 : chosen for a particular job an appointed official. 2 : officially fixed or set at the appointed time. 3 : provided with complete and usually appropriate or elegant furnishings and equipment a beautifully appointed room.
On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am,' pronounced with a short 'a,' as in 'jam'. For male members of the Royal Family the same rules apply, with the title used in the first instance being 'Your Royal Highness' and subsequently 'Sir'.
How do you address The Queen? ›Addressing members of the Royal Family
For The Queen: "Your Majesty" on the first occasion, and "Ma'am" thereafter. Other female members of The Royal Family who hold the title Her Royal Highness: "Your Royal Highness" on the first occasion, and then "Ma'am."
Here's who's next in line for the throne: Elizabeth's eldest son, Charles, 73, formerly the Prince of Wales, has immediately become the King of England. His wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, is now the Queen Consort, as Elizabeth requested at her royal jubilee in February.
What soap does the royal family use? ›Royal residences reportedly keep Yardley soaps on-hand, and per Marie Claire, private guests to Windsor Castle are given Yardley products, too.
What chocolate does the Queen eat? ›
Queen Elizabeth has had the honour of eating some of the world's most luxurious and expensive foods. But the monarch is said to be fond of a classic British dark mint chocolate, usually eaten after dinner, that anyone can buy from your local supermarket.
Who makes clothes for the royal family? ›Daks. With three Royal Warrants under its belt, Daks is one of the undisputed go-to brands for the royals. Established in 1893, the brand is known for its beautifully crafted clothing and accessories.
What does Kate call the Queen? ›It is thought the Duchess of Cambridge refers to the Queen as 'Mama'.
Who can call the Queen by her name? ›Everyone that isn't an immediate member of the royal family has to refer to the monarch by her official title. That includes politicians, heads of state, and even royalty from other countries. There was, historically, one exception to this rule.
What do kings call their queens? ›Palace guidelines state that when greeting the Queen, you referred to her as "Your Majesty" or "Ma'am" — but not "Your Royal Highness." "Your Royal Highness" was actually used to address any other member of the Royal Family, apart from the Queen herself.