King Charles Strips Cadbury of Royal Warrant After 170 years

For the first time in 170 years, chocolate maker Cadbury has been removed from the prestigious list of royal warrant holders.

The Birmingham-based chocolatier first earned a royal warrant in 1854 under Queen Victoria, recognizing its contributions as a chocolate and cocoa manufacturer. However, under the reign of King Charles III, Cadbury has lost this honor, a decision that has left its US parent company, Mondelez International, disappointed.

Royal warrants, granted for up to five years, serve as a mark of excellence for companies providing goods or services to the monarchy. King Charles has maintained warrants for 386 companies previously endorsed by Queen Elizabeth II, including prominent names like John Lewis, Heinz, and Nestlé. Among the new additions to the King's list are Moët & Chandon, Weetabix, and chocolate brands Bendicks and Prestat Ltd.

Holders of royal warrants gain the right to display the royal coat of arms on their products, packaging, and marketing materials—a privilege long associated with prestige and commercial benefits.

What Happened?

Earlier this year, campaign group B4Ukraine urged the King to withdraw warrants from companies operating in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, highlighting Mondelez and Unilever, the latter of which also lost its royal endorsement.

In response, a spokesperson for Mondelez expressed respect for the decision, stating, "Whilst we are disappointed to be one of hundreds of businesses not awarded a new warrant, we are proud to have previously held one." Similarly, Unilever voiced pride in its long history of serving the royal household.

Prof. David Bailey from Birmingham Business School noted that losing the warrant could impact Cadbury's costs as the company must remove the royal coat of arms from its packaging. He described the warrant as a "seal of approval" that bolstered British jobs and production while contributing to the UK economy.

Founded in 1824 by John Cadbury in Birmingham, the brand celebrated its 200th anniversary earlier this year. Cadbury grew into a global chocolate giant, particularly under the leadership of John Cadbury’s sons, who established the renowned Bournville factory. In 2010, US company Kraft acquired Cadbury in a controversial takeover, with the brand later becoming part of Mondelez International in 2012.

Source: Sky News