In a significant shift, Cadbury has been removed from King Charles's royal warrant list, ending a 170-year connection that began in 1854 under Queen Victoria.

This change is part of a broader update from Buckingham Palace, which revealed that nearly 100 brands lost their royal approval during King Charles's reign.

The announcement, made on December 23, 2024, marks the second royal warrant list issued by King Charles since he ascended to the throne.

While Buckingham Palace has not provided specific reasons for the revocation, speculation surrounds the decision, particularly in light of calls for boycotts linked to Cadbury's parent company, Mondelēz, and its operations in Russia.

Cadbury, which has been owned by Mondelēz International since its controversial acquisition by Kraft in 2010, is known for popular products like Dairy Milk and Creme Eggs.

Mondelēz expressed disappointment over losing the royal warrant but emphasized pride in its historical association with the royal family.

Brands that lost their royal warrants, including Cadbury, were notified by letter and have a year to remove royal branding from their products.

In contrast, chocolatiers Bendicks and Prestat retained their royal warrants and are expected to continue supplying chocolate to the royal household.

Royal warrants allow brands to feature the royal coat of arms on their packaging, symbolizing their supply of goods or services to the royal family.

Royal warrants are granted for a maximum of five years and can be renewed indefinitely, provided the brand continues to meet the necessary criteria.

The decision to revoke royal warrants often lacks public explanation, leading to speculation about the reasons behind such changes.

Currently, approximately 800 individuals and companies hold royal warrants, allowing them to use the royal crest on their products.