The British chocolate brand Cadbury has lost its royal warrant for the first time in 170 years due to the continued operations of its parent company, Mondelez International, in Russia. The decision was made by Buckingham Palace, a reported by B4Ukraine.
Royal warrants, which have existed in Britain since the 15th century, are awarded to suppliers of goods and services to the royal family. They serve as a mark of special recognition, allowing companies to use the royal family’s association to enhance the prestige of their brand.
B4Ukraine previously sent a letter to King Charles III urging him to revoke Cadbury's warrant, citing Mondelez International's ongoing operations in Russia despite the war in Ukraine. The letter also mentioned other companies—Nestlé, Bacardi, Samsung, Forbo, and Kimberly-Clark—that continue to do business in Russia, though their royal warrants have not yet been revoked.
B4Ukraine representatives welcomed the royal family’s decision, highlighting its support for Ukraine. However, they emphasized the need to reconsider the warrants of other companies operating in Russia. According to the initiative, the presence of foreign companies in Russia contributes to financing the war against Ukraine.
The loss of Cadbury's royal warrant will lead to changes in branding: the company will have to remove the warrant's insignia from packaging, which will impact costs and brand perception.
The royal warrant is regarded as a mark of quality and trust, and its loss is a significant blow to the company’s reputation.
