Four Staffordshire-based firms are amongst the first in the country to be granted a royal warrant by King Charles III.
Buckingham Palace has announced that the warrants held by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales have been reviewed and that 145 have been granted Royal Warrant of Appointment to HM The King.
Woodpecker Joinery UK, a timber greenhouse and cold frame manufacturer in Bramshall, near Uttoxeter, is among those who made the cut during the review.
A spokesperson said: “We are extremely grateful and filled with pride to have been granted the warrant from His Majesty for our timber greenhouses and cold frames.
“This recognition holds great significance for our family business, and a testament to the efforts of our dedicated staff.
“Through this Warrant, we aim to continue our focus on quality and sustainability in British manufacturing.”
Presentation box supplier Summerhill Packaging, based in Wombourne, in South Staffordshire, is also on the list.
The company has a long-standing working relationship with the royal households, dating back to 2008 and was first granted its royal warrant in 2014.
A spokesperson said: “It is hugely rewarding for Summerhill and it’s supply chain to receive this recognition for our commitment to the highest standards of service, quality, excellence and craftsmanship in the manufacture of the sustainable presentation boxes we supply.”
Fine bone china manufacturer Caverswall China, in Stoke-on-Trent, has also received a royal warrant. Established in 1973, the firm uses techniques that span back hundreds of years. Its commitment to excellence was confirmed formally in 2008 when it was granted its first royal warrant.
London-based Halcyon Days, a supplier of objets d’art, which acquired Caverswall China as a sister brand in 2015, has also received a royal warrant.
Halcyon Days Chairman and CEO Pamela Harper said in a statement that the company has held royal warrants since 1972, that is has cherished relationships with The Royal Households and is “humbled” with the recognition from King Charles.
She added: “As many of you know, our sister company is The Caverswall English China Company, based in Stoke-on-Trent, and supplying exquisite fine bone china around the globe. The business specialises in tableware and decorative accents for the home and celebrated its 52nd anniversary this year.
“We have the honour too of having been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty King Charles III as the sole supplier of Fine Bone China, a tribute to the craftsmen and women of Stoke-on-Trent who have stood loyally by our management team as we turned the business around from working a two-day week in 2017, to being the humming, lively, and joyful factory it now is.
“We could not have achieved this significant recognition without you, our customers, who support out skilled craftsmen and women in our two factories in Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent, by purchasing our products with such unswerving loyalty – and for this we thank you. We will continue to strive to be the best in every way, and our purpose is to be of service to you.”
The May 2024 list of royal warrants also includes Parker Pen Company, part of Newell Brands, listed as being based in Lichfield.
Household names from outside of the county to make the list include Bentley Motors, Aston Martin, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Waitrose and The Ritz Hotel (London).
Royal warrants granted by Queen Elizabeth II became void following her death in September 2022 but could continue to be used for two years. Companies may apply for a warrant from King Charles III.
