Find out more

History

From the early 19th century, Royal Tradesmen held an annual dinner to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday. When they gathered on 25 May 1840 for Queen Victoria’s birthday they decided to form ‘The Royal Tradesmen’s Association’. It began with just 25 members but numbers rose steadily. In those days it was an exclusively male organisation, although if ‘a lady or firm of ladies’ held a Royal Warrant they could ‘appoint a gentleman to represent them.’

In 1907 the Association received its first Royal Charter and became The Royal Warrant Holders Association. In 2007 The Queen regranted the Charter. Today most Warrant Holders belong to the Association.

Back to Introduction