Royal Warrants
Royal Warrants
More than 170 regular suppliers of goods and services hold royal warrants of appointment to The Prince of Wales. Granting of tradesmen's warrants by the Royal Family has a history dating back centuries, and took its present form during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Royal warrants of appointment are granted only by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother also granted warrants, but all remaining will run out in 2007, five years after her death.
A warrant allows the company to be styled "By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales" and to display The Prince of Wales badge of three feathers on premises, delivery vehicles, stationery and advertisements as well as on the products themselves.
Businesses may hold warrants from more than one member of the Royal Family. There are strict regulations, and a warrant holder must observe total discretion about the goods and services supplied under the appointment.
In addition to the usual qualifying criteria, The Prince of Wales asks that companies meet a code of good environmental practice if they are to qualify for his warrant.
A royal warrant is generally granted for an initial period of five years, after which the appointment is reviewed. It can, however, be cancelled at any time, and there is always a review if the firm goes bankrupt or there is a change of ownership.
Applications by companies for a royal warrant are made to the Lord Chamberlain's office, and considered by the Royal Household Tradesmen's Warrants Committee after being put forward by the Royal Warrant Holders Association.