A Royal Warrant of Appointment is a document that permits a company to use the Royal Arms in connection with its business in an appointed trading capacity. It is granted for up to five years at a time as a mark of recognition for the ongoing supply of goods or services to the Royal Household.
The Monarch decides who may grant Royal Warrants. These are known as the Grantors. The Warrant is granted to a named individual within a company, known as the Grantee, who is responsible for the correct use of the relevant Royal Arms.
Monarchs and some senior members of the Royal Family have granted Royal Warrants for centuries.
In 2024 HM The King and HM The Queen granted their first two sets of Royal Warrants of Appointment of the new reign. The grants were made as part of a review of all companies that held Royal Warrants at the time of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. New Royal Warrants will be granted in 2025 to other companies with an established and ongoing trading relationship with the Royal Household as part of the usual cycle of reviews and applications.
Companies holding Royal Warrants of Appointment represent a huge cross-section of trade and industry, from sole traders to multinationals. They are united by a commitment to the highest standards of service, quality, excellence and craftsmanship.
The Royal Warrant Holders Association was formed in 1840 to ensure the continued existence of the Royal Warrant as a treasured institution. Today it continues to assist with the administration of Warrants, as well as advising members on all Royal Warrant matters.
The Association is not part of the Royal Household, but belongs to its members. Membership is open to all Warrant-holding companies.
Alongside its partners, the Association offers a full events programme and opportunities for members to connect at a national level and through its local associations. It also supports selected charities through its Charity and craftspeople via QEST. Once a year, the Association also awards the Plowden Medal for advancement within the conservation profession.
The history of the Royal Warrant can be traced back to medieval times, when competition for Royal favour was intense and the Monarch had the pick of the country's best tradespeople. By the 15th century, the Lord Chamberlain, as head of the Royal Household, formally appointed tradespeople with a Royal Warrant of Appointment – a practice that continues to this day.
In the 18th century, Royal tradesmen began displaying the Royal Arms on their premises and stationery. In 1840, the Royal Warrant Holders Association was formed. Scroll through the timeline to discover some highlights from the history of the Royal Warrant, stretching back from the present day to its early origins.
In celebration of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Association’s Coronation Year Gifts Project raises funds from members to gift prayer books to Their Majesties; and embarks on a significant tree planting initiative across the UK. Excess funds are also donated to QEST and the RWHA Charity Fund.
The Association marks the Platinum Jubilee with a gift to HM Queen Elizabeth II of a new Processional Cross.
HRH The Prince of Wales becomes Patron of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).
HM Queen Elizabeth II becomes Patron of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) for her 90th birthday year. Portrait above by QEST Scholar, Alastair Barford. Limited edition prints available from recordreign.com
The Association celebrates its 175th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST).
The Association hosts the Coronation Festival in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. Attended by 60,000 visitors over four days, it is the biggest event in the modern history of the Royal Warrant.
The Association's Royal Charter is renewed, as well as its aims, governance and remit. Almost all Royal Warrant holders are members.
The Association and its charitable arm the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) establish offices at 1 Buckingham Place and the Association assists with more of the increasing administrative work connected with Royal Warrants.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) is established by the Association to mark its 150th anniversary and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
The Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II takes place. Many Royal Warrant holders are commissioned to assist, including couturier Sir Norman Hartnell, who created The Queen’s Coronation dress and robe.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the accession of King George V, the Association builds The King’s House, showcasing the trades, products and skills of Warrant holders. The House is exhibited at the Ideal Home Exhibition before being rebuilt in Surrey and presented to Edward VIII.
Membership of the Association increases to include more than half of all Warrant holders, and cases of improper use of the Royal Arms are reduced.
The Association's aims, governance and remit are established by Royal Charter of Incorporation and it is renamed the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
Rules governing the use of Royal Warrants are tightened so that bankrupts lose their Warrants; Warrants cannot be automatically transferred between companies upon merger or acquisition; and the false display of Royal Arms is outlawed by Parliament. The Association is incorporated to become the official body protecting the rights of Royal Warrant holders.
In 1837 Queen Victoria ascends the throne. Almost 2,000 Royal Warrants are granted during the reign of Queen Victoria and Royal tradespeople begin to gather socially to celebrate the birthday of the monarch, for which the original association was formed in 1840.
Royal tradespeople begin to display the Royal Arms on their premises.
The granting of Royal Warrants is re-established by Charles II, following its abolition under Oliver Cromwell.
In 1520 Royal tradespeople create the 'Field of the Cloth of Gold' for Henry VIII near Guînes, the magnificent site for his diplomatic meeting with Francois I of France.
Royal tradespeople are recognised with a Royal Warrant of Appointment. These include William Caxton, England's first printer, who is appointed as King's Printer in 1476.
As different trades seek to organise themselves more effectively and maintain standards, trading associations known as livery companies develop. These include the Drapers' Company, granted a Royal Charter by Edward III in 1364, and the Mercers' Company (headed by the famous Dick Whittington), granted a Royal Charter by Richard II in 1394.
The department known as 'The Great Wardrobe' organises the Royal Household's accounts and administration. It holds the earliest records of transactions between Royal Households and the kind of craftspeople and traders who still form the bulk of Royal Warrant holders today.
In 1155 Henry II grants the Weavers' Company a Royal Charter – the earliest known example of a formal document between Royalty and tradespeople.
