Companies will have to re-apply for Royal Warrants following the Queen's death

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Sep 15, 2022

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, around 800 firms – including Burberry, Barbour, Gieves & Hawkes, Dunhill and Fortnum & Mason – will have to reapply to display their Royal Warrants and the coveted royal coat of arms.

According to the official  Royal Warrant Holders' Association (RWHA), Warrants granted by the Queen became void when she died. “The Royal Household will review Warrant grants upon a change of the reigning Sovereign”, its website says.

Royal Warrants are granted by key members of the royal family such as the Queen and the former Prince of Wales (and previously in recent times, Prince Philip and the Queen Mother). Now that we have a new king and new Prince and Princess of Wales, there will understandably be change regarding the brands they patronise.

It's not yet clear whether Warrants granted for the now-king in his previous role will still be valid.

The RWHA added that as far as the Queen's warrants are concerned, “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 concerned”.

The Queen's royal coat of arms depicted the lion of England, unicorn of Scotland and a shield divided into four quarters followed by the words ‘by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen’.

Businesses are eligible for a Royal Warrant if they supply products or services on a regular and ongoing basis to the relevant Royal Households for not less than five years out of the past seven. Applicants are also required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan.

Currently, there are around 875 Royal Warrants held by companies or individuals. Around 30 Warrants are granted a year, and a similar number are withdrawn.

A Royal Warrant is usually granted for up to five years and reviewed in the year before it is due to expire. A  renewal will then last up to a further five years.