King Charles has delayed granting Prince William and Princess Kate the authority to issue royal warrants – a centuries-old tradition that gives selected brands the official royal seal of approval.
This means companies hoping to receive formal recognition from the couple will need to wait.
What is a royal warrant?
© ShutterstockRoyal warrants are granted to businesses that supply goods or services to the Royal Household. They serve as both an endorsement and a mark of prestige.
At present, there are around 800 holders, ranging from artisan food producers and tailors to global tech firms.
The King’s delay
© Max MumbyThe decision to allow William and Kate to become official “grantors” of warrants rests solely with Charles.
While it had been expected that the couple would be given this responsibility soon, the King has not yet authorised it.
According to reports, some brands that already supply the Waleses have begun to ask when the process might open. But under current rules, applications can’t even be considered until royal approval is given.
The Kate effect
© GettyHELLO!’s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, explains: "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 favour.”
Kate, 43, has become known for boosting sales simply by being photographed in a particular outfit or accessory. Designers such as Alexander McQueen, Self-Portrait, and Catherine Zoraida have seen demand spike after royal appearances.
It’s likely the Princess would favour British labels she already champions, including Holland Cooper, Sahar Millinery and Aspinal of London.
William, 42, is expected to highlight sustainable and eco-conscious businesses. In the past, he has supported companies such as Rapanui and Purified Shoes.
The tradition and its rules
© GettyBeing able to grant a royal warrant is not a given. It is conferred by the monarch, and only to senior working royals. Charles became a grantor in 1980 as Prince of Wales, but Diana never held the role.
If permitted, Kate would become the first Princess of Wales to issue warrants since 1910.
To qualify, a company must have supplied the royal household for five of the last seven years. They must also demonstrate high standards in quality, service and sustainability.
Why the delay?
© Max MumbyOne possible reason is capacity. The lord chamberlain’s office, which oversees the system, has been managing the update of previous warrants issued by the late Queen and the then Prince of Wales.
It’s also been suggested that logistical delays linked to last year’s coronation and the Queen’s state funeral may have contributed.
At present, the warrant application window remains closed for those working with the Waleses. Until the King gives permission, there is no formal timeline in place.
A look ahead
© GettyKate’s influence continues to grow, both on and off the fashion front. Her recent appearance at the British Fashion Council event, where she wore a Victoria Beckham suit, led to a quick sell-out of stock.
This only strengthens the case for giving the couple formal authority.
Meanwhile, William continues to support the monarchy alongside his father. On Friday, he joined the King at Westminster Abbey to be installed as Great Master of the Order of the Bath.
Timeline of Princess Kate's health updates
© Getty25 December 2023 – Kate is last seen publicly on Christmas Day
9 January 2024 – Kate celebrates her 42nd birthday, with the King and Queen sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the coronation to mark the day.
11 January 2024 – William returns to royal duties, meeting rugby heroes Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
17 January 2024 – Kensington Palace announces in a statement that Kate has undergone abdominal surgery at the London Clinic and that William has temporarily stepped back from royal duties to care for Kate and their children.
18 January 2024 – William visits Kate at the London Clinic.
26 January 2024 – King Charles visits Kate in hospital before undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
29 January 2024 – Kate is discharged from hospital and returns home to Windsor to continue her recovery. King Charles also leaves the London Clinic on the same day after his treatment.
7 February 2024 – William resumes royal duties attending London's Air Ambulance Charity gala with Tom Cruise.
10 February 2024 – William and Kate spend February half-term with George, Charlotte and Louis at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. Kate's siblings are also pictured on holiday during the school holidays, with James Middleton and Alizee Thevenet flying to the Caribbean with baby Inigo, and Pippa Matthews and her family holidaying on the island of St Barts.
27 February 2024 – Kate said to be "doing well" as William pulls out of King Constantine memorial due to a "personal matter".
29 February 2024 – Kensington Palace addresses social media speculation, reiterating: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter."
10 March 2024 - A photograph of Kate with their three children at home in Windsor is released to mark Mother's Day and to thank the public for their "continued support".
11 March 2024 - Kate publicly apologises for the "confusion" around the photograph as she admitted she "occasionally experiments with editing," after news agencies pulled the image amid claims it had been digitally altered. The Princess is then seen in a car with William as she's driven to a private appointment in London.
19 March 2024 - Footage of William and Kate leaving the Windsor Farm Shop is shared by The Sun and TMZ in the first video sighting of the Princess since surgery.
22 March 2024 - Princess Kate confirms that she has been diagnosed with cancer in a moving video message and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
18 April 2024 - Prince William returns to royal duties after spending Easter holidays privately as a family.
10 May 2024 - Prince William says Kate is "doing well" as he visits the Isles of Scilly.
21 May 2024 - Princess Kate is "excited" as Kensington Palace shares update on her early years work with the release of her Business Taskforce's prioritising childhood report.
8 June 2024 - Princess Kate writes letter to Irish Guards to apologise for not being able to take part in the salute at the Colonel's Review.
14 June 2024 - In a personal statement, Kate shares she is making "good progress" and that her "treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months".
15 June 2024 - Kate makes her first major public appearance since diagnosis at Trooping the Colour.
14 July 2024 - Kate watches the Men's final at Wimbledon with Princess Charlotte and Pippa Matthews.
11 August 2024 - William and Kate congratulate Team GB athletes in a video message after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
9 September 2024 - Kate confirms she's completed chemotherapy in moving video message.
10 October 2024 - Kate joins William on visit to bereaved families in Southport.
9/10 November 2024 - Princess attends Festival of Remembrance and Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph.
3 December 2024 - Kate greets Emir of Qatar alongside William during state visit.
6 December 2024 - The Princess of Wales hosts her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
25 December 2024 - William and Kate attend the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham with the royals.
14 January 2025 - The Princess confirms she's in remission after visiting The Royal Marsden hospital in London - where she was treated.
It marked a rare joint engagement between the monarch and his heir – one that signalled unity amid ongoing tensions with Prince Harry.
On Saturday, William will attend the FA Cup final at Wembley and present the trophy to the winners.
As for the warrant delay, for now, brands will have to wait a little longer for their chance to earn the ultimate royal nod.
