As thePrince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate continue to solidify their roles as the next generation of the British monarchy, one traditional royal authority remains notably absent: the power to grant coveted royal warrants. This delay, set against their rising profiles, has become a point of quiet observation and has led to questions regarding King Charles‘s timeline for bestowing this long-held privilege.
For brands across the globe, receiving a royal warrant is a public stamp of approval by the royal household. It’s a tradition steeped in history, allowing businesses to showcase their closeness to the Crown, complete with the right to display the royal arms of their grantor.
With around 800 current holders, ranging from artisan cheesemakers to global tech giants, the prestige is undeniable. The power to bestow these warrants rests solely with the head of The Firm, and King Charles has, thus far, kept this authority for William and Kate on hold.
And so it has become a burning question for royal watchers: why is King Charles taking so long to bestow this powerful endorsement tool upon his son and daughter-in-law?
While it was excpected that Waleses would be entrusted as “grantors” soon after Charles became king, the wait continues, sparking curiosity and a touch of bewilderment. Reports suggest that some companies already supplying goods to William and Kate have begun to make tentative inquiries about the process, only to be met with the reality that applications cannot even be considered until the King gives the okay.
The delay is particularly intriguing given the immense “soft power” the couple wields. HELLO!’s royal editor, Emily Nash, highlights the untapped potential: “For the brands and companies, having the endorsement of a royal warrant from William and Kate would bring huge kudos as well as a huge boost. We’ve seen the impact of the ‘Kate effect’ on fashion over the years, so this official royal seal of approval would be huge for the designers, services and companies the couple favor.”
TOBERMORY, SCOTLAND – APRIL 29: Prince William, Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay and Catherine, Princess of Wales, known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, speak to one of the islands makers and creators during a tour of an artisan market on April 29, 2025 in Tobermory, Scotland. The Prince and Princess of Wales are on a two-day visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona on the 29th and 30th of April to engage with rural island communities. During their time on the islands, they will connect with local residents, highlighting the value of social bonds and underscoring the importance of safeguarding and advocating for the natural environment. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
But as the months tick by since those significant state occasions, and with the couple’s public profiles growing, the backlog explanation has raised a few eyebrows. Is there a reason for King Charles’s delay? The monarchy, after all, is an institution that thrives on tradition. Or could it be, as Prince Harry wrote in his memoir Spare, an envious King Charles is managing the rollout of his heirs’ influence, or are there other, more bureaucratic factors at play?
Hello! claims the Lord Chamberlain’s office, which manages the warrant system, has been occupied with the task of updating existing warrants following the late Queen Elizabeth II‘s reign and those previously issued by Charles as Prince of Wales.
As the Prince and Princess of Wales step further into the royal spotlight, royal watchers and hopeful brands are in a state of eager, and perhaps slightly puzzled, anticipation for the King’s ultimate decision.