King Charles has bestowed The Ritz London with an updated royal warrant, effectively the royal seal of approval for businesses. The five-star hotel first received a royal warrant in 2002 from then-Prince Charles for the hotel’s banqueting and catering services. Last May, the King updated the warrant for the property, and a brand new 24-carat gold leaf coat of arms was just delivered to the property this week.
The Ritz London shared a video to Instagram on Thursday of the installation in the hotel’s main lobby.
The Ritz, located in London’s posh Mayfair district, has been known to be a favorite of King Charles in the past. It was also the site of where he made his first public appearance with Camilla Parker Bowles in 1999, before they were married in 2005. He has been seen there for private parties over the years, and he visited the hotel and kitchen staff in December 2020 during the pandemic lockdown.
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Charles and Camilla leaving The Ritz in 1999.
A royal warrant is an official mark of recognition for individuals or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the royal household. A business must have supplied a royal for at least five out of the last seven years to qualify, and must now also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. The range of holders covers every category, including clothing, food and drinks, cleaning products, stationery, transport, and home and gardening services. Holders can describe themselves as “by appointment” to the royals and display the arms belonging to the royal who selected them on their products and packaging.
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Then-Prince Charles visiting The Ritz staff in support of the hospitality sector during lockdown.
Holding a royal warrant is coveted by many businesses, who can enjoy the benefits of boasting to the world that they are a favored supplier to the British royal family. The full list of the companies is on the website of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. It includes British fashion brands Burberry and Barbour as well as jewelers Cartier and car manufacturers Jaguar Land Rover. Photographer Hugo Burnand, who took the official coronation images, also has a royal warrant.
King Charles and Queen Camilla already had the power to grant royal warrants. Earlier this summer, it was announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales would now have the power to grant royal warrants as well. Kate will become the first Princess of Wales to be a grantor in more than 100 years.
Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at Town & Country. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at @rk.passport.