31 food and drink brands with a royal stamp of approval

Food fit for a monarch

Ever wondered what the British royal family likes to eat and drink? Well, it turns out that the royal kitchens are stocked with plenty of the same iconic brands we know and love ourselves. These honoured companies are rewarded with a Royal Warrant and include stalwart household favourites such as Kellogg's and Nestlé, as well as some brands that might surprise you. We’ve rounded up some of the most famous foods that hold (or have held) Royal Warrants – offering a fascinating insight into life at Buckingham Palace.

Read on to discover 31 food and drink brands the royals love – counting down to the most surprising of all.

Official seal of approval

So, what exactly is a Royal Warrant? According to the Royal Warrant Holders Association, it’s a 'mark of recognition for the ongoing supply of goods or services to the Royal Household'. The holders get to keep the Warrant for at least five years and put it on their branding and advertising. Many food and drink brands have held one in the past, of course, but currently, only 87 food and drink companies hold a Royal Warrant – including some quite surprising names.

31. Cadbury

Probably one of the most quintessentially British brands ever to exist, Cadbury started out in 1831, when grocer John Cadbury opened a factory in Birmingham to produce drinking powder and cocoa. Fast forward to today, and the chocolate’s iconic purple packaging is ubiquitous all over the UK and beyond. However, when King Charles III issued new Royal Warrants in December 2024, he failed to endorse the chocolate giant. This news made national headlines because it was the first time in 170 years that Cadbury hadn't received the recognition.

30. Twinings

Twinings was given the royal stamp of approval by Queen Victoria in 1837, and the tea brand still holds it today. The company currently sells more than 200 varieties of tea, but if you want to enjoy it like a royal, opt for Earl Grey or Darjeeling. Apparently, Queen Elizabeth II preferred the former, while King Charles III is partial to the latter.

29. Weetabix

In 2004, back when King Charles III was merely the Prince of Wales, he claimed he was 'virtually brought up on Weetabix', which is perhaps no wonder given it’s the UK's top-selling cereal brand. He said he started with two or three chunks of Weetabix, but cut down his portion size as he got older. Founded in 1932, the Royal Warrant–holding company sources all of its wheat from within a 50-mile radius of its factory in Northamptonshire.

28. Fortnum & Mason

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Fortnum & Mason getting a Royal Warrant in 2024 is that it was the first time the luxury London retailer had earned that recognition in 28 years. The iconic store was especially thrilled with the honour, because it received one Royal Warrant from King Charles III and another from Queen Camilla. For Fortnum, it seems, Royal Warrants are like buses: you wait 28 years for one, then two come along at once.

27. Tiptree

Queen Elizabeth II took her scones with jam and cream (in that order) and often enjoyed marmalade on toast for breakfast. Those preserves were likely supplied by Tiptree, made by Wilkin & Sons. The company has held a Royal Warrant since 1911, when it was awarded by King George V. The jam maker, which has been making its products in Essex since the early 1700s, often marks significant events in the royal calendar with special product launches, such as extra-large jars of marmalade for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

26. Bendicks

King Charles III wasn't willing to give Cadbury a Royal Warrant, but he does still have a place in his heart for certain chocolate suppliers. Bendicks is famous for its range of after-dinner mints and has been a royal favourite since its first Warrant was granted in 1962. The so-called Bittermint was invented in 1931 and is still made to the same recipe.

25. Schweppes

Schweppes may be owned by Coca-Cola, but the Royal Household has only granted Schweppes a Royal Warrant. Specifically, the Warrant is for Schweppes and Rose's soft drinks. Perhaps the King isn't a fan of Coca-Cola, but it's probably more likely that he just enjoys the mixers that Schweppes produces. The brand was established in 1783 and claims to have invented the world's first soft drink, soda water.

24. British Sugar

British Sugar (which sells products under the name Silver Spoon) was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2019 by Queen Elizabeth II. After the Queen died, however, the Warrant was voided, and British Sugar would have had to apply for a new one from King Charles III. Yet British Sugar wasn't named by King Charles when he issued his Royal Warrants in 2024. Still, the company – founded in 1972 – works with some 2,300 sugar beet growers across East Anglia and the East Midlands, accounting for 50% of the UK sugar market.

23. Paxton & Whitfield

Historic London retailer Paxton & Whitfield has been selling artisan cheese since 1797, and it's been the proud recipient of a Royal Warrant since 1850 (designated by Queen Victoria). The brand has been a favourite of King Charles III for some time, as he previously issued it a Royal Warrant when he was Prince of Wales. Paxton & Whitfield's other claim to fame is that it was one of the first cheesemongers to bring Stilton to the market.

22. Prestat

When the royals are in need of something extra special, they probably reach for a box of Prestat chocolates. Established in 1902, the luxury British chocolatier sells a range of high-end truffles. It gained its Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 before earning a second seal of approval from the Queen Mother in 1999 – and a third from King Charles III in 2024.

21. Carluccio's

Carluccio's hasn't had the best of times on the UK high street. The Italian restaurant and food shop fell into administration in 2020, and the number of its outlets was slashed in half. Yet the brand has a powerful supporter in the form of King Charles III. The Royal Warrant reveals that Carluccio's is still a supplier of Italian food and truffles.

20. Maldon

Salt is a cooking staple, and only the best will do for the royals. Their brand of choice? Essex-born salt manufacturer Maldon, which has been producing artisan salt in the seaside town of the same name for 140 years. The company acquired its Royal Warrant in 2012 and has held onto it ever since. You’ll find a box of Maldon salt flakes in kitchens all over the world, so it’s no surprise that the royals have given it their seal of approval too.

19. Ambrosia

Owned by former Royal Warrant holder Premier Foods, Ambrosia is best known for its custard and rice pudding products. It’s been making these signature foods, and other classic British desserts such as semolina and tapioca, out of its Devonshire creamery for more than 50 years. In 2017, the soon-to-be King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ambrosia with the company in Lifton, Devon (pictured).

18. Walkers Shortbread

Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother both issued Walkers Shortbread with Royal Warrants – and King Charles III continued the tradition in 2024. The Scottish company, which dates back to 1898, supplies oatcakes and shortbread to the Royal Household, so visitors should never be in short supply of a tasty snack when they come calling on the King.

17. Donald Russell

Queen Elizabeth II awarded Donald Russell a Royal Warrant more than 40 years ago, and the Scottish butchery still holds it today. Its HQ is in Aberdeenshire, and the brand is a favourite of luxury hotels and restaurants as well as the Royal Household. Regular people from the UK and beyond can taste the goods for themselves, too, as Donald Russell has an excellent mail-order service.

16. Taylors of Harrogate

Do you start the day with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea? King Charles might be partial to both, as he awarded Taylors of Harrogate a Royal Warrant in 2009 when he was still the Prince of Wales. Taylors, a brand founded in 1886, blends Yorkshire Tea, as well as a range of single-origin and blended coffees. In 2024, however, King Charles III didn't renew Taylors' Royal Warrant, perhaps signalling that his taste in hot drinks has changed.

15. Tate & Lyle

In 1921, Britain’s two biggest sugar producers, Henry Tate & Sons and Abraham Lyle & Sons, joined forces. One made sugar cubes; the other made golden syrup. It was Lyle’s Golden Syrup – which holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest packaging – that first caught a royal eye. King George V was partial to the sticky-sweet syrup and granted it a Royal Warrant back in 1922. Tate & Lyle Sugars still holds a Warrant today.

14. Cathedral City

Cathedral City is one of the UK’s most recognisable cheese brands and was also the cheese of choice for Queen Elizabeth II. In fact, it was the only Cheddar maker to have a Royal Warrant, an honour it held for 20 years. King Charles III, however, decided not to grant Cathedral City's owners a Royal Warrant after he took the throne. It's been suggested that this could be because the company was fined £1.52 million ($1.89m) for environmental pollution in 2022.

13. Ryvita

Queen Elizabeth II granted the Jordans and Ryvita Company a Royal Warrant as a manufacturer of crispbreads, and King Charles III has continued the tradition. The company has been going for nearly 100 years and also sells Crackerbreads, Thins and Rye Cakes. We like to imagine the members of the Royal Household tucking into crunchy rye breads topped with cream cheese and cucumber at a casual lunch.

12. Mr Kipling

From French Fancies to Angel Slices, Mr Kipling makes some of Britain’s best-loved cakes – and it seems the Royal Household couldn’t resist them, either. In 2012, the company rolled out special-edition Great British Fancies to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and in 2018, it started selling Princely Pies and Wedding Whirls for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. Unfortunately, though, Premier Foods (the company that owns Mr Kipling) no longer holds a Royal Warrant under King Charles III's reign.

11. McVitie’s

Chocolate biscuit cake has been a royal family staple for decades. It was apparently Queen Elizabeth II's favourite afternoon snack and was even served at Prince William and Princess Catherine's wedding in 2011. The biscuits used to make it? None other than McVitie’s Rich Tea biscuits. McVitie’s, now owned by Pladis, has a long legacy of supplying goods to the British monarchy, having gained its Royal Warrant in the 19th century.

10. Colman's Mustard

When you think about classic British condiments, one of the first things that might come to mind is Colman’s fiery mustard. Granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria back in 1866, the punchy yellow mustard was worthy of a place in the royal household for 150 years. However, the brand is now owned by Unilever, and King Charles III did not issue Unilever a Royal Warrant in 2024.

9. Marmite

Love it or hate it, Marmite was granted a Royal Warrant in 2016 in what must have been the ultimate seal of approval for team ‘love it’. The yeast extract spread is a by-product of the brewing industry that can be used to top toast, as well as in a range of sweet and savoury recipes. Unfortunately, however, Marmite is produced by Unilever, which was not granted a Royal Warrant by King Charles III in 2024.

8. Waitrose & Partners

Waitrose & Partners was the only supermarket granted a Royal Warrant by King Charles III in 2024. This was great news for the British supermarket giant – but perhaps not the most surprising to those in the know. After all, Waitrose was first granted a Warrant in 1928 by King George V, and it also received warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles (back when he was Prince of Wales) in 2010.

7. Robinsons

According to Britvic, the owner of Robinsons, Queen Elizabeth II was known to enjoy Robinsons Lemon Barley Water and awarded the soft drink company a Royal Warrant back in 1955. Robinsons held onto its Royal Warrant up until the Queen's death, whereupon the Warrant was voided. Unfortunately for Robinsons, Britvic was not mentioned when King Charles III revealed his Royal Warrants in 2024.

6. Schwartz

According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite dishes was Morecambe Bay potted shrimp on toast, cooked in a 'secret spicy butter'. Prince Phillip was known for his love of spicy food, too. That may be why Schwartz was granted a Royal Warrant. After all, the Schwartz company, established in Canada in 1889 by William Schwartz, is one of the world’s biggest producers of herbs, spices, seasonings and flavourings. However, Schwartz was not included in King Charles's Royal Warrants for 2024.

5. Heinz

We can’t quite imagine His Royal Highness tucking into a plate of beans on toast, but if he did, you can bet they’d be from Heinz. The beloved brand, which makes tomato ketchup, baked beans, tinned soups, HP Sauce and Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, among many other things, started out in the US in 1869 before its products began appearing in Britain in the late 1800s. It gained its Royal Warrant in the 1950s and has held onto it ever since.

4. Loyd Grossman

Loyd Grossman is a pasta sauce brand to be reckoned with. Almost four million British households bought a product in 2020. Prior to 2024, it could have also boasted about a Royal Warrant, as it falls under the Premier Foods umbrella. However, it seems King Charles III prefers to look elsewhere for his pasta sauces these days.

3. Nestlé

One of the largest food companies on the planet, Nestlé owns many well-loved brands, including Smarties, KitKat and Nescafé. The company, which was officially formed in 1905, saw massive growth in the first half of the 20th century as it began making chocolate, coffee and convenience foods. Today, Nestlé products can be found in a whopping 97% of British households – and one of them is Buckingham Palace.

2. Kellogg's

“Which will it be, Your Highness? The Coco Pops or the Frosties?” We can’t imagine it, either, but perhaps King Charles III keeps a variety pack on hand for when his grandchildren come to stay. Cereal manufacturer Kellogg's has been supplying the royals with its breakfasts for decades, and it even released a special cereal, Queen Flakes, to celebrate the monarch’s record reign in 2015.

1. Tabasco

McIlhenny Company, the American firm that makes Tabasco, was given the royal seal of approval in 2009. Yet the royal family’s enjoyment of the spicy sauce goes back much further. The Queen Mother allegedly had her staff searching the streets of London for the stuff during World War II, when Tabasco was in short supply due to rationing. The original recipe, featuring just red peppers, vinegar and salt, has been used by the McIlhenny family for over 150 years.

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Last updated by Luke Paton.