Drink Like a King With These British Royal-Approved Brands

There are foods and drinks that are undeniably excellent, and then there are those that are fit for a king—literally.

There’s a longstanding tradition in the British monarchy to bestow a Royal Warrant of Appointment to companies and tradespeople that supply goods and services to the royal family. With each incoming monarch, the list is revisited.

In December 2024, King Charles III gave the royal shout out to 386 companies, bringing the total of current Royal Warrant holders to 542, with many beverage brands included among the ranks of royally good stuff. And, you might be surprised to learn, that we mere commoners can also imbibe the wines and spirits that monarchs do.

Image Courtesy of The Royal Warrant Holders Association

What Is a Royal Warrant?

The Royal Warrant of Appointment is a privilege bestowed upon companies and tradespeople—essentially a seal of approval. Those who are bestowed the honour—British spelling intentional—are able to advertise as such with an official coat of arms.

The practice of issuing warrants dates back to the 15th century; however the Royal Warrant Holders Association only came into being in 1840, concurrent with the reign of Queen Victoria, who was especially fervent with issuing warrants.

Warrants are granted for five years, and must be renewed by the person who initially granted them, or reissued by future royals. Many companies remain on the list over the reigns of numerous monarchs, but it is not guaranteed.

The Royal Warrant is awarded to every imaginable type of good and service, but all things edible and potable are well represented, with 87 current Royal Warrant holders falling under the food and drink category.

Even with the royal association, rest assured it’s not all top-shelf Champagne and luxurious caviar (though both of those are indeed accounted for). The list of Royal Warrant holders also includes humbler goods: everything from makers of bacon and biscuits to smoked fish and potted shrimps. To wash it down, there is also tea, tonic and apple juice.

The warrants aren’t limited to British companies. The royals are getting their cereal and condiment needs met by American brands such as Kellogg’s, Heinz and Tabasco.

Current Wine Brands with the Royal Warrant

Wine accounts for 11 brands on the Royal Warrant list, with Champagne heavily featured.

Bollinger, Pol Roger and Moët & Chandon are among the longest-standing Royal Warrant holders, having all first received the privilege during the reign of Queen Victoria in the late 1800s.

While all of King Charles III’s current Champagne picks are brands that previously held the distinction before his reign, he’s already had a hand in selecting the labels. As Prince of Wales he first issued a Royal Warrant to Laurent-Perrier, in 1998. Louis Roederer and Veuve Clicquot round out the current list of Champagne brands with Royal Warrants.

So what about English Sparkling Wine, which obviously seems like it should have a place in a royal flute?

Cornwall’s Camel Valley, one of the progenitors of the category, was also granted its first Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018; King Charles III re-granted the honor in May 2024, when the initial list under his reign was released.

Also of note, Camel Valley is currently the only wine brand to have the Royal Warrant of Appointment not only from HM King Charles III, but also from HM Queen Camilla, as the sovereign’s spouse is also deemed an official grantor of Royal Warrants.

Beyond bubbles, several fortified wines found a place on the Royal Warrant list under Queen Elizabeth II, and were also recently re-awarded by King Charles III. Martini Vermouth and Dubonnet—purportedly a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II—both received warrants in December 2024, as did Graham’s Port and Taylor’s Port (branded as Taylor-Fladgate in the U.S. market). If you’re looking to indulge in a royal digestif, try one of those brands.

let adType_679ab27ea5aa4 = “leaderboard”;
// Create the element
let script_679ab27ea5aa4 = document.createElement(“script”);

script_679ab27ea5aa4.innerHTML = `
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};
googletag.cmd.push(function() {

var mapping;
// Size mapping for leaderboard ads
var lbmapping = googletag.sizeMapping()
.addSize([1024, 0], [[970, 250], [970, 90], [1, 1], [728, 90]])
.addSize([728, 0], [[728, 90], [1, 1]])
.addSize([320, 0], [[1, 1], [300, 50], [300, 100], [320, 50], [320, 100]])
.addSize([0, 0], [[1, 1], [320, 50]])
.build();
// Size mapping for med rectengle ads
var medrecmapping = googletag.sizeMapping()
.addSize([1024, 0], [[300, 600],[300, 250]])
.addSize([728, 0], [300, 250])
.addSize([320, 0], [[1, 1],[300, 250]])
.addSize([0, 0], [[1, 1], [300, 250]])
.build()
//var lbSlots = [[[320, 100], [728, 90], [300, 100], [1, 1], [300, 50], [970, 250], [320, 50], [970, 90]]];
//var medrecSlots = [[300, 600], [1, 1], [300, 250]];

mapping = adType_679ab27ea5aa4 == ‘leaderboard’ ? lbmapping : medrecmapping;
googletag.defineSlot(‘/39808611/article_page/article_leaderboard_1’, [],
‘div-gpt-ad-679ab27ea5aa4’).addService(googletag.pubads()).defineSizeMapping(mapping);
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); //maybe optional
googletag.pubads().refresh(); //maybe optional
googletag.enableServices();

});
`;

//checking to see if script is inserted in the header successfully
if (document.head.appendChild(script_679ab27ea5aa4)) {
//variable holding the rendering body
document.getElementById(“gptBodySection-679ab27ea5aa4”).innerHTML = `

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-679ab27ea5aa4); });

`;
}

What Else Are the Royals Drinking Besides Champagne and Port?

Several spirit brands also hold Royal Warrants such as Laphroaig, Tanqueray and Pimm’s.

And don’t forget the mixers. Soft drink purveyors include Sandringham Apple Juice and Schwepp’s.

The tea brand Twinings is on the list and Shepherd Neame has the distinction of currently being the only brewer with a Royal Warrant.

Beverage brands without a Royal Warrant still have the possibility of ending up on the royal table, however, courtesy of a number of Royal Warrant-holding beverage merchants. Among them are Berry Bros. & Rudd, one of the oldest Royal Warrant businesses, founded in 1698, Fortnum & Mason, and even Waitrose, a British grocery chain with over 300 locations, making it easy to shop like a royal no matter where you find yourself in Great Britain.

What’s Next in Royal Warrants?

King Charles III and Queen Camilla may continue to issue warrants, but watch this space, as the Sovereign and spouse are not the sole grantors of the Royal Warrant.

The Heir Apparent also has the option to issue warrants, and William, Prince of Wales, is expected to contribute his first Royal Warrant selections this year. Rumors have begun that Catherine, Princess of Wales, may be afforded the privilege as well.

From the Shop

The Best Wine Coolers

A refrigerated wine cooler is the best way to ensure your wine is stored properly, and these attractive units allow you to show off your collection in style.

Shop All Wine Coolers

More Coverage of Great Britain

The offbeat and unexpected wine traveler’s guide to England.
Great Britain had its largest ever wine vintage. The implications are huge.
These English sparkling wines are gunning for Champagne’s crown.
The winemakers behind England’s sparking future.
In England, varied soils meet cool-climate winemaking.
From hobbit houses to shepherd huts, 8 unusual places to stay in English wine country.