Cadbury has not been awarded a royal warrant for the first time in 170 years, barring the company from using the Royal Arms on its products for the foreseeable future.
The famous chocolate brand — highly regarded for being the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite — was one of 100 companies removed from the list of those awarded the globally recognized mark of excellence.
Cadbury and the other dropped companies were informed via a letter of the Crown’s decision but were not given a reason why, per Royal protocol.
The only possible hint at a reason is that the withdrawal comes mere months after Ukrainian campaigners wrote to King Charles III imploring that he not grant Cadbury the honor this year because its United States parent company Mondelez was continuing production in Russia while the Russia-Ukraine War pressed on.
However, the letter asked that the King not grant the royal warrant to other companies with ties to Russia like Bacardi and Nestlé, but each of its warrants was renewed last week.
There are still other factors the monarch considers when awarding a warrant, including the company’s supply of goods or services to the Royal household.
In recent years, Cadbury’s supply to the Royals has dropped — specifically since the late Queen’s death. The Queen would often request the chocolate, including boxes of Bournville every Christmas, and it was even the chocolate of choice at Royal events like her Jubilees.
The Royal Warrant of Appointment grants its awardees the ability to use the Royal Arms in association with its business for five years. Cadbury has held it consistently since 1854, surviving under six different monarchs until King Charles’ decision last week.
The King kept 386 titles previously granted by his mother, including Kellogg’s cereal and Moët champagne, the Mail on Sunday reported. Kellogg previously sold its operating base in Russia in 2022 and stopped some shipments to the country following its invasion in Ukraine. Moët Hennessy also closed their stores in Russia in 2022.
Cadbury and all other companies that were not awarded the warrant will have up to a year to adjust their productions in order to strip all indications of the Royal Arms from their company, including all products, vehicles, and buildings, according to the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
With Post wires
