King Charles III has broken with an unofficial royal tradition in taking chocolatier Cadbury off the Royal Warrant List for the first time in 170 years.
The brand was awarded the honour by Queen Victoria in 1854 and the brand remained on the list throughout the entire reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
But it was reported this week that Cadbury is one of 100 brands to have been taken off the list, bringing bad news for the company which celebrated its 200th birthday in 2024.
Unilever, which manufactures Marmite and Pot Noodle, has also been taken off the Royal Warrant List.
Here is what it all means.
What is the Royal Warrant List?
Essentially, any company on the Royal Warrant List has been asked to provide its products to the royal household.
“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,” its website states.
The brand will receive a letter from the Firm and this will allow them to use the royal emblem in an appointed trading capacity.
“The monarch decides who may grant Royal Warrants. These are known as the grantors. The warrant is granted to a named individual within a company, known as the grantee, who is responsible for the correct use of the relevant royal arms.
“Monarchs and some senior members of the Royal Family have granted Royal Warrants for centuries.”
Charles and Camilla were in charge of the Royal Warrant List for the first time in their reign in 2024 and have now written to all companies they want to supply goods.
The King has granted royal warrants to 386 companies that previously held warrants from Queen Elizabeth II, including household names like John Lewis, Heinz and Nestlé, while Camilla has appointed seven new holders.
Why has Cadbury been removed from the Royal Warrant List?
There is no reason given to the brand other than to say they are off the list, according to the Mail.
But, reading between the lines, it is probably fair to assume that the King and Queen didn’t want to include Cadbury because they… don’t like Dairy Milk all that much.
With Bendicks, Prestat and Nestlé still on the list, it is likely they will be the sole providers of chocolate to the royal household for the next five years.
