Royal Beauty: Beauty Brands with the Coveted Royal Warrant

Our Thoughts

05/05/2023 by The Red Tree

As we approach the Coronation weekend in the UK, we wanted to look at some of the beauty brands awarded a Royal Warrant. The Royal Warrant recognises businesses that have supplied goods or services to royal households. However, companies must demonstrate more than excellence. They must also show environmental and social responsibility throughout the supply chain.

There are currently 19 businesses with a Royal Warrant in the Health and Beauty sector. Here is a selection of those brands, along with some history of their royal connections.

Clarins

French multinational cosmetics company Clarins was founded in Paris in 1954. The brand reportedly made regular deliveries to Buckingham Palace throughout the reign of Her Majesty the Queen. In fact, the Queen even commissioned a red lipstick for her 1953 Coronation to match her Robe of State. Beyond its formulations, Clarins has always been pioneering in its approach to sustainable practices. This is likely to have contributed to its Royal Warrant.

Penhaligon's

Penhaligon's was established in 1869 on Jermyn Street, close to St James's Palace. A few years later, founder William Penhaligon was appointed Royal Barber and Perfumer to the Royal Court during Queen Victoria's reign. Later, in 1903, Queen Alexandra granted Penhaligon's its first Royal Warrant, which it still proudly holds today. Spanish beauty house Puig acquired the brand from Fox Paine & Company in 2015 for an undisclosed sum. At the time of the sale, Penhaligon's held two Royal Warrants, including one awarded by the late Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We would love to know what value these Royal Warrants carried within the sale process.

D.R. Harris & Co Ltd

D.R. Harris was founded in 1790 and has operated in the St James's area of London ever since. The brand specialises in traditional gentleman's grooming products, particularly shaving soaps, creams, aftershaves, colognes and skincare products. D.R. Harris & Co is the oldest pharmacy in London. It has held Royal Warrants since 1938, granted by the late Her Majesty the Queen, The Queen Mother and HRH King Charles.

Our Key Observations

While the Royal Family does not express political views, King Charles has taken a keen interest in environmental issues, from homeopathic medicine to organic farming. We would love to know what he thinks about the clean beauty movement.

Our observations of these companies show that royal households have long been loyal customers. Indeed, they were early adopters of the shopping local trend.

While a Royal Warrant is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious awards available, we wonder how closely aligned consumers are to this reputable mark.

Furthermore, we anticipate further additions of businesses in the Health and Beauty category. This is likely to highlight more British owned businesses favoured by incoming members of the Royal Family.

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