King Charles Boosts Prince William and Princess Kate’s Authority

The Prince and Princess of Wales have (finally!) been given the power to grant Royal Warrants — and yes, it’s a big deal.

Hello Dear Readers,

Right then, first things first! A warm welcome to all our new subscribers! Loads of you have hopped aboard over the past month, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have you here. We’re trying to get a bit more lively over on Instagram. So do give us a follow! You’ll find some quick thoughts in the Stories section now and then, and maybe even the odd royal meme (no promises, but we’re tempted).

This little newsletter of ours came about after one too many grumbles over the sheer lack of historical know-how in the royal-watching world. It’s hardly a money-spinner (not that we ever expected it to be), but we genuinely adore diving into royal stories of the week and nattering on about all the little details that never quite make it into our broadsheets.

We’re deeply grateful for all the support you’ve shown over the past 30 months here on Substack. It genuinely means a great deal that hundreds of you choose to read and support our work. Quite simply, we couldn’t carry on without you, so thank you for being part of it. If you’re in a position to upgrade to a paid subscription, it goes a long way in helping keep this newsletter thriving. And if you’d prefer to have a look around first, there’s a seven-day free trial available so you can explore some of our more in-depth pieces before making a decision.

Now, onto the Royal Tea! Today’s newsletter is free to all readers. If you haven’t already joined us, please feel free to do so using the prompt below. Thanks again for being here! It means the world!

---

Royal Warrants: An Explanation

On the 5th of January this year, just four days ahead of Catherine, Princess of Wales’s birthday, a piece by Rebecca English, Royal Editor at The Daily Mail, rather caught our attention. As we highlighted in last week’s newsletter, English appears to be carving out a niche for herself when it comes to gently ushering out many of the sentiments, updates, and whispers emerging from both Buckingham and Kensington Palace.

For a bit of a refresher on this theory of ours, do take a look at our previous newsletter, linked below.

Princess Kate: "My Cancer Recovery Was a Rollercoaster"

This article detailed the low-key celebrations planned for Kate Middleton turning 43 (a quiet night in with family eating jelly and ice cream) but the bulk of the story was focused on sharing a very exciting update: She and Prince William were both going to be granted the power to issue their own Royal Warrants for the first time!

Pressure is growing on the King to decide which members of the family he should permit to issue these sought-after marks of honour, a tradition which dates back to the Middle Ages and enables senior royals to allow companies who regularly provide them with goods or services to use their coat of arms.

Holding a Royal Warrant, which can be displayed on their business premises, products, packaging, stationery, advertising and vehicles, offers huge commercial kudos both at home and abroad.

And while it is likely that the King will first issue some new Royal Warrants of his own, and let Camilla also do so for the first time, the prospect of Princess of Wales warrants would be welcome in many quarters.

This announcement was particularly exciting, given the historical context. While it's tradition for the spouse of the reigning monarch to act as a Grantor (someone authorised to issue Royal Warrants) it’s rather less common for the consort of the Prince of Wales to be afforded the same privilege. In fact, Princess Catherine will be the first Princess of Wales in 115 years to receive this centuries-old honour!

Mary of Teck, Queen Mary

Mary of Teck, grandmother to Queen Elizabeth II, was the last woman to grant a Royal Warrant while holding the title of Princess of Wales back in 1910, prior to her husband, King George V, ascending the throne. Notably, Princess Diana, who held the title before Catherine, was never afforded the privilege of granting such warrants.

So this particular scoop from Rebecca English carried an air of credibility, if not the subtle suggestion that it had been gently placed by the team at Kensington Palace to prepare the ground for what lay ahead. And the only remaining hurdle to bestowing this prestigious honour? A decision from King Charles himself.

A royal source told me that the issue of whether the Prince and Princess of Wales would get the power to issue their own Royal Warrants was a 'grey area' and that a final decision rested with Buckingham Palace.

'They are aware of it. Hopefully something will happen sooner rather than later,' they added.

And as we’ll later see, “sooner rather than later” proved to be the correct sentiment. After all, Royal Warrants aren’t merely ceremonial. They can be a significant boon for British businesses and individuals alike.

The royal warrant for Harrods, granted by the late Duke of Edinburgh

At one time, the luxury department store Harrods held an impressive tally of four Royal Warrants granted by the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, the late Duke of Edinburgh, and then-Prince Charles. It was, quite rightly, able to capitalise on those illustrious connections to considerable effect. As English pointed out in her article, being in possession of a Royal Warrant can be rather lucrative, both for brands and for individuals alike.

Several existing holders I have spoken to believe the value to British businesses of having the Princess of Wales officially endorse them would be almost incalculable.

'It would be a huge boost to British industry,' said one. 'Interest would go through the roof, particularly in areas such as fashion and lifestyle.'

This is precisely why Royal Warrants are so important. Having a Royal Warrant isn’t just a nod of approval. It gives Grantees the right to showcase the Royal Arms on their products, packaging, and even the front of their shops. It’s a proper mark of royal recognition, really. That little crest signals a direct link to the Monarchy, and it carries a good bit of weight when it comes to reputation and trust.

Just look at Barbour, a proper British luxury brand, best known for its waxed cotton jackets and countryside-inspired kit. Barbour’s a brilliant example of how a Royal Warrant can align with a brand’s heritage and identity, adding that extra touch of prestige to an already iconic name.

Barbour was awarded three Royal warrants by the British Royal Family

Barbour’s first Royal Warrant came courtesy of the late Duke of Edinburgh, with Queen Elizabeth adding a second not long after. Then, in 1987, the then-Prince Charles awarded them their third, solidifying the brand’s long-standing ties to the Royal Family. It’s the sort of connection that brings both pride and prestige, no doubt. But it’s not just ceremonial, there’s a clear commercial edge as well. For instance, following Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in The Queen back in 2014, Barbour jacket sales in New York supposedly doubled.

Assorted Royals over the years in Barbour jackets, a staple of the family

But it’s not all smooth sailing. With each change of monarch comes a fresh set of rules and stipulations around Royal Warrants. When the reigning sovereign dies, all existing warrants are immediately voided and placed into a sort of probationary limbo. The brands and individuals who previously held them are given a limited window to reapply, in hopes of being re-endorsed by the new King or Queen.

In the meantime, though, they’re not allowed to use the Royal Arms on any newly produced merchandise or promotional materials. At least not until the dust settles and a final decision’s made on their status.

When Queen Elizabeth passed away in 2022, iconic British brands like Burberry and Audi were reportedly wringing their hands behind closed doors. The concern? Losing the new King’s all-important seal of approval. With King Charles known for championing environmental causes, businesses suddenly found themselves under pressure to demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainability—or risk being left off the list when new Royal Warrants were handed out.

Hundreds of iconic brands face losing the King’s seal of approval unless they prove their green credentials.

Sought-after Royal Warrants became void when the Queen died and firms now need to reapply. Some 800 had been issued, allowing firms to have a royal coat of arms on their packaging for at least five years, or until their warrant is cancelled. The royal stamp helps businesses pocket 5% more each year – often the equivalent of millions of pounds. The review of warrants is going on until spring.

And the Royal Warrant Association's website warns: "Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan.” It means famous warrant holders, such as Cathedral City, Cadbury, Audi and Burberry face the axe.

Cadbury, maker of Dairy Milk, was slammed by eco warriors last year for not using Fair Trade cocoa. Cheese brand Cathedral City was criticised over pollution levels at a Cornish factory.

Burberry’s royal patronage is also at risk, after a large quantity of the fashion firm’s stock was burned in 2018.

Audi’s parent firm VW was fined £1million over the Dieselgate fake emissions scandal in 2015. And the likes of Coca-Cola and Twinings tea have been attacked in recent years over plastic use.

A source at one of the UK’s oldest warrant holders fears their firm could fold without the royal accolade. She said: “Our boss said we’re losing the warrant because we don’t use recycled cardboard in our packaging. For years we’ve been trading on our links to the Royal Family and we’re worried we’ll lose the prestige.”

In the months following the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, we’ve seen a flurry of Royal Warrant activity—renewals, new announcements, and a few surprises along the way. Fortnum & Mason, long regarded as a favourite of the Royal Family, had its Royal Warrants renewed with fresh endorsements from both the King and Queen. Champagne Bollinger, Burberry, Waitrose, and Barbour have all received similar nods of approval, reaffirming their place in the royal fold.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news. Cadbury, a beloved chocolate maker and true British household name, lost its Royal Warrant for the first time in a staggering 170 years during the review following Queen Elizabeth’s passing. No official explanation was offered, as is usually the case, but The Telegraph reported that Ukrainian campaigners had written to the King urging him to withdraw the honour, citing the continued operations of Cadbury’s US parent company, Mondelez, in Russia under Vladimir Putin’s regime. Whether that played any role in the decision is anyone’s guess, but by all accounts, the loss of the warrant was said to be a real blow for the brand.

Which brings us neatly to William and Kate! According to English’s article, it was merely a matter of time before the King would give his approval, but while Catherine’s birthday came and went, months passed without so much as a whisper from Buckingham Palace regarding the Royal Warrant Grantor status of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla was making swift work of her own appointments granting no fewer than seven warrants, including one to her hairdresser and another to her facialist. Yet on William and Catherine’s front, there was complete radio silence. That is, until May of this year, when a fresh piece by The Times Assistant Editor, Kate Mansey, changed the game.

For any brand, a royal warrant is the ­ultimate seal of approval — and a chance to boost sales thanks to a royal crest emblazoned on its products.

However, the King has delayed a ­decision to grant permission to the Prince and Princess of Wales to bestow their own royal warrants.

A source had ­previously said the couple would use them to “recognise British skills and industry”. Yet friends are now intrigued to find that the wait goes on — agonisingly so for some brands that supply the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales and are keen to find out if they will be acknowledged.

It is understood that the warrant office has already had enquiries from some of these firms. However, a source confirmed that until the ­monarch issues permission to Kate and William, applications cannot be considered.

So what was going on? There’s been plenty of chatter over the years about the King possibly feeling a twinge of jealousy towards his Heir and his winsome family, but truth be told, we don’t put much stock in it. It’s an age-old story, isn’t it? The younger generation inevitably outshines the older…New energy, fresh faces, and a bit of sparkle the public tends to gravitate toward. More often than not, though, the “older royals” find it’s a rather welcome shift.

It’s no secret that King Charles faced his fair share of challenges when it came to Princess Diana’s soaring popularity. Throughout the 1980s and beyond, there were very real concerns about her eclipsing him in the public eye, both in terms of affection and media attention. Biographer Penny Junor captured it rather pointedly at the time, writing, “still he battles on, carrying his bruised and fragile ego into another minefield of controversy.”

But all that’s in the rearview now. The King has granted his permission and the Royal Warrant Holders Association announced last week that the Prince and Princess of Wales can now issue Royal Warrants.

A lot’s changed. King Charles older, wiser, and married to the woman he always wanted to be with (harsh but true). The rhythms of royal life have shifted, and the spotlight moves differently these days. We’re not saying the King doesn’t occasionally wish he had the same star power Catherine seems to command, but he’s definitely better at taking it in stride now. And if he sometimes fails to do so? Well, he’s only human, after all.

We’ve long felt that for Catherine, William, Charles, and Camilla, the coming months and years will demand a proper balancing act. Success hinges entirely on unity—getting everyone singing from the same hymn sheet, as it were. Their collective role remains crystal clear: keep the lights on at the Palace and maintain public support for the monarchy at a level that doesn’t tempt the likes of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, The Head of Lettuce, Rishi Sunak Keir Starmer to start measuring up Buckingham Palace’s 39-acre garden for development plots.

And with regular incoming fire from Montecito once (or twice) a month, frankly, there’s no room for division. While we did feel that a two-year wait seemed rather excessive before allowing the Waleses to issue their own Royal Warrants, we’re willing to give the benefit of the doubt and consider the reasoning offered:

There may be several reasons for the hold-up. The lord chamberlain’s office issues rules about how companies can display the royal coat of arms on their products and any printed or online ­promotional material. It has been ­suggested the same office has been busy with the late Queen’s funeral and subsequent coronation. The warrant office, too, has been busy reviewing the previous warrants issued by the late Queen and by Charles when he was Prince of Wales.

These things, after all, rarely happen overnight, especially when it involves royal protocol, public optics, and balancing the inner workings of the institution. This is something the Sussexes never quite seemed to grasp: sometimes, a bit of patience really does pay off.²

And really, it’s worth pointing out what a lovely touch it is that the Princess of Wales is receiving this honour. The King could’ve easily kept things simple and just given the privilege to Prince William alone. But instead, King Charles’s chosen to bring Catherine in too, giving her the nod as a Grantor in her own right. It’s a thoughtful, meaningful move that speaks volumes about how she’s seen within the family and the role she’s playing in the modern monarchy. It signals a future-facing monarchy with a true sense of ownership and Kate’s growing influence is unmistakable. If the King was still worried about being overshadowed, we certainly can’t tell.

We’re getting properly excited now about which lucky companies will receive the official nod from the Prince and Princess of Wales. According to Buckingham Palace, the whole process kicks off this week with a two-stage approach. First up: firms that already hold warrants from the King, back when he was Prince of Wales, can throw their hats in the ring. Those who make the cut will be announced early next year

Then comes the second wave. The Prince and Princess will open the floor to companies that haven’t held royal warrants before. That bit’s expected to take a little longer, what with all the due diligence and checks involved. But come Spring 2026, the Prince and Princess of Wales will be able to formally recognise the brands and craftspeople who serve them, and we can’t wait to see who makes the list.

Which brands do you think are a shoe-in for the Princess of Wales’s seal of approval? Will she lean into heritage labels, spotlight sustainable newcomers or surprise us with something totally unexpected?

Pop your predictions in the comments below! We’re all ears and eager to see who makes your shortlist and perhaps share some of our own predictions.

That’s all from us for now. Hope you’ve enjoyed this Free Post and its deep dive into Royal Warrants and Royal Orders.

We’ve got quite the stack of newsletters sitting pretty in our Drafts folder. From the latest updates on Prince William and the Duchy of Cornwall to the eternal chatter about royal titles (will it ever end?), there’s plenty on the horizon.

We can’t wait to share it all with you soon. But until next time.

Yours in Royal Tea,

Lady Sinclair

¹In January 2000, the Royal family's long association with Harrods officially came to an end, when Prince Philip announced he was withdrawing his royal warrant. “The warrant will not be renewed because of the significant decline in the trading relationship between the household and Harrods over several years,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at the time. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles’s royal warrants expired in 2001, and Harrods did not reapply for them.

²Had the circumstances been different, perhaps the Sussexes might’ve received this honour as well. In another world (one with fewer headlines and less interviews) who knows what might’ve been. But alas, the ship has sailed, and here we are.