King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a move that may come as a blow to these household names. The decision was made without explanation, following a long-standing tradition of issuing and renewing royal warrants since the 15th century.
Cadbury, a British chocolatier, had held a warrant since Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century, while Unilever, a UK consumer goods giant, had also been granted a warrant. Both companies were criticized by Ukraine’s government for continuing to operate in Russia despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The decision comes after campaigners wrote an open letter to Charles six months ago urging him to revoke the warrants. However, there is no indication that this was the reason for the move. Mondelez, Cadbury’s parent company, and Unilever have expressed disappointment but respect for the decision.
In contrast, other companies such as Heinz, Nestle, and John Lewis will retain their royal warrants, along with seven new appointees including hairdresser Jo Hansford and hat designer Philip Treacy. The Royal Warrant Holders Association notes that warrants can be withdrawn if the quality or supply of a product or service is deemed insufficient.
The move may have implications for Mondelez and Unilever’s operations in Russia, where they continue to sell products despite boycotts and calls for them to stop.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/23/food/king-charles-ends-royal-warrants-intl/index.html