King Charles III has recently made the decision to end royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, two well-known household names. These warrants, which allow brands and companies to feature the Royal Arms on their packaging, were not renewed for Cadbury and Unilever in the latest round of appointments.
The royal warrants system, dating back to the 15th century, is a way of recognizing suppliers of goods and services to the British royal households. More than 500 brands and companies currently hold warrants, which are issued for a five-year period and subject to review before renewal.
While no specific reason was given for the discontinuation of Cadbury and Unilever's warrants, it is worth noting that both companies faced criticism for their business dealings in Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Campaigners had previously urged King Charles III to revoke their warrants, although it is unclear if this influenced the decision.
In response to the news, Mondelez, the parent company of Cadbury, expressed disappointment but also respect for the decision. Unilever, on the other hand, highlighted the long history of its brands supplying the royal household and the warrants they had been awarded in the past.
On the flip side, warrants were renewed for firms like Heinz, Nestle, and John Lewis, while Queen Camilla appointed seven new warrant holders, including hairdresser Jo Hansford and hat designer Philip Treacy.
Activist group B4Ukraine had previously called for dropping companies like Mondelez and Unilever from the royal warrants list due to their continued presence in Russia. Unilever later announced the sale of its Russian subsidiary, while Mondelez has maintained its operations in the country despite calls for a boycott.
Overall, the decision to end royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever reflects the royal family's commitment to upholding standards of quality and supply in its partnerships with suppliers.
