There are many things that will change following the death of Queen Elizabeth, but a shake up when it comes to Heinz ketchup bottles is perhaps not one of the changes that immediately springs to mind. However, the bottle that bears the Royal Warrant, must now remove the seal of approval that is displayed at the top and front of its UK bottles.
The household staple is among more than 800 manufacturers that will have to rethink their packaging following The Queen's passing. Nottingham-based Boots, Waitrose, Cadbury's, Twinings Tea and Bollinger Champagne... they are all among the brands to display the royal coat of arms on packaging.
So, what is a royal warrant? The document, according to Royal.uk is "granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods to HM The Queen" and other specific royals. It is an official approval that lets a company use the royal coat of arms on products and in marketing. The distinctive image of the royal coat of arms was described by the Mirror as depicting 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”. In the case of Heinz ketchup, this symbol was displayed at the top and front of its bottles sold in the UK.
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According to the Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA), warrants became void when the Queen died. Brands must now remove them and reapply to King Charles III and prove the royal household regularly uses their products.
Around 30 Royal Warrants are granted a year, and the same number is withdrawn. The RWHA said: "Amongst other things, applicants are also required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan.”
Brands and food and drink firms who were granted warrants by Queen Elizabeth II include Coca-Cola, Premier Foods, Unilever, British Sugar, Britvic, Martini, Dubonnet, Johnnie Walker, The Famous Grouse owner Matthew Gloag & Son, Gordon’s and Pimm’s.
Around 620 businesses including car manufacturers Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, along with brands Barbour, Burberry, Clarins, Molton Brown, Hunter and Mappin & Webb who were granted warrants by her late Majesty the Queen have two years to phase out products bearing the royal coat of arms.
The Royal Warrant Holders Association said they could reapply to the new King but must prove they “supply products or services on a regular and ongoing basis to the Royal households for not less than five years out of the past seven”.
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