While the long ceremony that will culminate with the state funeral next Monday in Westminster continues, the death of Queen Elizabeth II continues to have consequences in the most unexpected areas. One of the most curious is the one that concerns large national and international brands such as Heinz, Coca-Cola, Martini or Twinings teawhich may be forced to change their labels upon the death of the monarch.
The culprit is the Royal Warrant of Appointmentan official document issued by the British Crown that accredits a company or individual holder as a merchant of the Royal Household (the Royal House), with right to wear the royal coat of arms in your logos or labels. Thus, accredited brands provide their services or products to royalty itself, and are valid for approximately five years, and can be renewed after that period.
The problem is that this document is annulled after the death of the queensince it was the figure of Isabel II herself who granted the authorizations -or it is assumed that she did it personally-, forcing all companies or individual merchants to renew the application as well as their labels within a maximum period of two years:
The Royal Warrant will become void but the company or individual may continue to use the Royal Arms in connection with the business for up to two years, provided there is no significant change within the company concerned. The Royal Household will review Warrant grants upon a change of reigning Sovereign.
In other words, the Royal House must review the different concessions in force up to now once the change of sovereign has taken place, in order to decide whether to keep pre-approved certificates. According to those responsible for the association, they must show that they “supply products or services on a regular and continuous basis to royal houses for not less than five years out of the last seven”. If not, they will have to stop using it.
In addition, applicants who are approved will be able to change the layout of the official seal, which until now reads “By appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II“. The coat of arms itself may change in the future if Charles III decides to represent Wales in it.
Twinings Earl Gray Tea, 25 x 25 Bags
Photos | Heinz
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