These brands have the British monarchy’s ultimate stamp of approval.
Before the age of social media and influencers identifying an outfit within minutes, we didn’t have many ways of knowing which dressmakers, hatters or cosmetics companies were beloved by the royal family.
Enter the royal warrant.
In the 15th century, the British rulers started granting preferred brands a special designation that allowed them to use the royal arms in their trade — showing the public that the company’s goods were of royal favor — and that tradition has carried on through the years.
Royal warrant holders are permitted to “display the appropriate royal arms in their marketing materials,” William Hanson, British etiquette coach and director of The English Manner, tells Page Six Style, citing London department store Fortnum and Mason’s signature bags as an example.
Holding a royal warrant is the ultimate sign of being a VIP (or VIB), and the designations are given by specific members of the family, with Hanson noting that “previous grantors have been Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and the Duke of Edinburgh.”
King Charles III “had a warrant when he was Prince of Wales,” and while Prince William currently can’t give his own warrant, the etiquette expert says that in time, the new Prince of Wales will most likely join his father in granting them; the King, meawhile, “will have a new warrant as monarch.”
What happens to the royal warrants handed out by Queen Elizabeth before her 2022 death?
While these businesses may display their insignia until 2024, Hanson says it’s unclear what comes next.
“Some may get new warrants from the King, especially if they had one of Charles’ warrants when he was Prince of Wales; others may just lose out and be warrant-less,” he tells us.
Below, explore (and shop) a few brands that possess the ultimate royal status.
Burberry
Perhaps one of the best-known brands carrying a royal warrant is British fashion house Burberry, which earned the distinction for its iconic check-lined raincoats by Queen Elizabeth in 1955.
While the late monarch has passed, the brand also holds a warrant from the former Prince of Wales, King Charles III, as an outfitter of clothing.
Kate Middleton has also worn Burberry’s sharply tailored suits, classic jackets and elegant dresses over the years.
While a Burberry trench coat will never go out of style, the British heritage brand offers smaller luxuries like scarves and card cases covered in its signature check.
Shop Burberry:
Burberry Kensington Trench Coat
Burberry Giant Check Cashmere Scarf
Elizabeth Arden
Elizabeth Arden’s cult-classic Eight Hour Cream might have seen a boost in sales following the release of Prince Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” in which he recounts how the product healed his “frostbitten todger — but both his mother and grandmother had been fans of the formula for decades.
Having held a royal warrant for more than 50 year, the cosmetics and skincare company is also said to be behind the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite lipstick, which she could often be spotted touching up during public engagements.
Shop Elizabeth Arden:
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum
Barbour
With everyone from Princess Diana to Meghan Markle to Queen Elizabeth wearing Barbour’s trusty waxed jackets, it’s no wonder Prince Philip awarded the British brand its first royal warrant in 1974.
Although the former Duke of Edinburgh’s stamp of approval expired after his death, the brand still holds royal warrants from Queen Elizabeth and the King under his former Prince of Wales seal.
Whether you choose to invest in a classic quilted jacket like the Duchess of Sussex or a waxed style à la the Princess of Wales, Barbour’s toppers are sure to stand the test of time.
Shop Barbour:
Barbour 40th Anniversary Beaufort Waxed Cotton Jacket
Barbour Woodhall Quilted Jacket
Molton Brown
Queen Elizabeth awarded this luxury toiletry brand with a royal warrant in 2012, and according to Hello!, the late monarch was especially fond of its Orange & Bergamot scent.
All of the brand’s soaps, lotions, candles, perfumes and other products are made in England, and they frequently pop up in the bathrooms of luxury hotels as well as Buckingham Palace.
If Queen Elizabeth’s citrusy fragrance isn’t your thing, Molton Brown offers plenty of other options ranging from pink pepper to rich leather.
Shop Molton Brown:
Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Bath & Shower Gel
Molton Brown Stocking Filler Gift Set
Molton Brown Hand Care Collection
Hunter
This rainy-day fave is another entry in the outerwear category, having earned a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth for its classic rain boots.
Perfect for trudging around a muddy Scottish field, Hunter’s wellies have been worn by numerous royals including Princess Diana, Meghan Markle, Queen Camilla and the King.
While its tall boots are forever in style, royal fans can also chase wet weather away in the brand’s shorter styles.
Shop Hunter:
Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots
Hunter Original Short Gloss Rain Boots
Clarins
Queen Elizabeth II relied on Clarins for some of the most important occasions in her life, even trusting the French beauty company to create a custom shade of lipstick for her 1953 coronation.
And although she used Clarins products for decades — she was said to be a fan of the Hand and Nail Treatment Cream in particular — it wasn’t until 2007 that Queen Elizabeth bestowed a coveted royal warrant upon the company.
The Princess of Wales is also a Clarins fan, having once whipped out a tube of its Lip Perfector at a Wimbledon match; per Prince Harry’s “Spare,” the product was even involved in an awkward moment between Middleton and sister-in-law Markle.
Shop Clarins:
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
Ettinger
When it comes to leather goods, the King’s clear pick is Ettinger; it’s held a royal warrant from Charles since 1996.
Founded in 1934, the luxury label offers everything from handcrafted leather card cases to pouches and totes, and recently teamed with menswear designer Todd Snyder on a cool camo-print collab (Kardashian pal Jonathan Cheban owns the $228 camo pill case).
The brand’s CEO, Robert Ettinger, tells Page Six Style that “a royal warrant is a seal of approval, quality and trust and for Ettinger, who are selling British leather goods, that is so important.”
Noting that “one can order from our website knowing that the product will be exactly as stated,” Ettinger continued that the company makes products not only for the King, “but now for other members of the royal family.”
Shop Ettinger:
Ettinger Capra Slim Credit Card Case
Ettinger Capra Double Watch Roll
Lock & Co. Hatters
You’ll often spot Lock & Co.’s luxurious hats and fascinators when royal women attend events like Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot — and with almost 350 years of experience, this brand knows a thing or two about millinery.
“Established in 1676, Lock & Co. is the oldest hat shop in the world, the oldest shop in London and one of the oldest family-owned businesses still in existence,” Dee Cankaya, the company’s PR and marketing director, tells Page Six Style.
The hatter held a royal warrant from Prince Philip until his death in 2021, and received a second royal warrant as hatter to King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales) in 1993.
If a fancy fascinator isn’t in your future, Lock & Co. also offers everyday styles ranging from flat caps to cashmere beanies.
“No matter the customer, what everyone has come to expect from Lock & Co. is the best: the best designs, fabrics, and service,” Cankaya adds. “Two royal warrants attest to our commitment to quality that is trusted worldwide.”
Shop Lock & Co. Hatters:
Lock & Co. Cheltenham Rollable Trilby
