Cadbury dropped from royal warrant list for first time in 170 years

Once famed for its "glass and a half of milk in every bar," Cadbury has lost a significant accolade: royal approval.

Once reportedly a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II, Cadbury joins a list of 100 brands and products stripped of their royal warrants since King Charles ascended to the throne.

The latest revisions were published by Buckingham Palace’s Royal Warrant Holders Association.

Royal warrants, a tradition dating back to the 15th century, recognize companies and individuals that provide goods or services to the royal household.

Each warrant is awarded for a period of up to five years and is subject to renewal or cancellation with the change of monarchs.

King Charles first began issuing royal warrants in 1980, while he was Prince of Wales. His second updated list as king reflects new preferences and priorities within the royal household.

The revised list retains only two chocolatiers, Bendicks and Prestat, alongside the multinational conglomerate Nestlé. Meanwhile, another luxury chocolatier, Charbonnel et Walker Ltd, has also been removed from the list since the last updates under Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in April 2023.

The changes mark a significant shakeup in the royal warrant landscape, with Cadbury’s removal representing the end of an era for one of Britain’s most iconic chocolate brands.

On 4 March 1824, John Cadbury opened his first grocery shop in Birmingham city centre. From humble beginnings, the family went on to become the world's biggest chocolate maker.

From the invention of Dairy Milk to a controversial takeover by an American food giant, the loss of the Royal Warrant is the latest hurdle in the chocolate makers history.

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