Kate Middleton to grant royal warrants for the primary time in historic transfer as she makes gradual return to public duties
The Princess of Wales will grant royal warrants for the first time ever as she embarks on her gradual return from illness.
Kate, who turned 43 on Thursday, can now bestow the honour on any favoured company whose goods are sold to the royal household.
The news comes as the Princess has been making a steady return to public duties after abdominal surgery and chemotherapy and now hopes to ‘recognise British skills and industry’ with the award.
It marks a first for anyone holding the Princess of Wales title since the days of Mary of Teck as the privilege was not extended to Princess Diana when she married Charles.
There is not yet any known timeline for when the warrant granting is set to begin but it is ‘hoped’ this will be announced shortly.
A source added of Kate: ‘She’s keen to recognise British skills and industry.’
Royal warrants are issued for up to five years and allow companies to become members of the Royal Warrants Holders Association meaning they can use royal arms in association with their work.
Changes brought in by the King when he was Prince of Wales mean suppliers now need to prove they have a sustainability policy.
The Princess of Wales and the founder of one of her favourite brands, Holland Cooper, have both been spotted in the label’s designs – pictured here the pair in a Fair Isle knit
King Charles and Queen Camilla – pictured together at the launch of the Coronation Food Project in Didcot, Oxfordshire last month – have issued new Royal Warrants to favoured firms
Queen Camilla’s list of royal warrants last month included her hairdresser, Jo Hansford and the official supplier of Tabasco hot sauce, among other companies.
The options open to Kate are far-reaching as they range from businesses that supply technology equipment to designer fashion brands she associates with like Alexander McQueen, Catherine Walker, Jenny Packham or handbag designer Strathberry.
Holland Cooper, who designed the Fairisle knit jumper Kate wore when presenting CBeebies Bedtime Stories in 2022 is also a contender.
Almost 400 companies were included in the December batch of Royal Warrants issued by the King and Queen after the latter had previously granted them for the first time in May that year, deciding to award one to Fortnum & Mason.
Being granted a Royal Warrant is considered a huge advantage for British firms both in the UK and abroad.
Given the Princess of Wales increased public spending by roughly £1billion in the year after her wedding to William in 2011, it seems likely the official royal seal of approval could do wonders for any British company formally associated.
Nicola Pink, founder of the PR and marketing firm We Are Pink, said: ‘We’ve seen the Princess of Wales have a huge impact on brands, often referred to as “the Kate effect”. What makes it so powerful is that it has always felt genuine — she chooses brands she truly likes or wants to support.’
British jewellery designer Catherine Zoraida, whose earrings have been worn by the princess on numerous occasions, said the Kate effect on her company had been “crazy”.
British jewellery designer Catherine Zoraida (pictured), whose earrings have been worn by the princess on numerous occasions, said the Kate effect on her company had been “crazy”
She said: ‘It’s something like a 500 per cent lift in sales whenever she is seen in a pair of earrings. They’re not just one-hit wonders, either. She looks after them well and whenever she re-wears them there is another uplift.’
Royal warrants date back to medieval times but were formalised in the 15th century by Lord Chamberlain who, as head of the royal household, formally appointed tradespeople with a Royal Warrant of Appointment.
The decision as to which members of the family can grant warrants remains that of the reigning monarch.
Last year the Danish royal family was criticised by companies in the country when it announced plans to scrap its warrant system.
In June this year, Charles was urged to revoke the warrants of Cadbury and Marmite-owner Unilever because of their links to Russia.
Ahead of Charles’ official birthday on June 15, Ukrainian campaigners urged the monarch to strip companies that continue to operate under Vladimir Putin’s regujme of their awards.
B4Ukraine highlighted brands such as Bacardi, Nestlé, Unilever and Mondelez, Cadbury’s parent company, noting their ‘prolonged presence and financial support of these companies in Russia only serves to prolong the brutal war’.
Nestlé, Unilever and Mondelez were not given royal warrants in this latest round of awards but they continue to hold warrants given by the late Queen as of June.
Kate wears a brown Alexander McQueen coat for a visit to Southport Community Centre. In her first official royal engagement, Kate opted to layer her coat over a burgundy polka dot dress from high street label Whistles which was previously worn in 2018
McIlhenny, the official supplier of Tabasco sauce, was also allowed to keep its royal warrant in December
A 45cm-tall chocolate crown was produced at Cadbury World in Birmingham ahead of King Charles’s coronation in April last year
In February, Charles said: ‘I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need. My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.’
In a statement to The Telegraph, a spokesperson for Mondelez said: ‘Cadbury is deeply proud to have been granted its first royal warrant in 1854 and has been a holder of a royal warrant from Her Late Majesty The Queen since 1955.’
A representative for Nestlé highlighted a 2022 statement which noted a ‘drastically reduced our portfolio in Russia’.
At the time, Unilever and Bacardi did not return the newspaper’s request for comment.
