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46-448: The first Lochnagar distillery was built by James Robertson of Crathie in the early 19th century. However, it burnt down in suspicious circumstances in 1824. A second and third replacement distillery was built and respectively burnt down again in 1826 and then 1841, supposedly by illicit competitors. In 1845, John Begg founded and built the "new" Lochnagar distillery which is the basis of the distillery in operation today. The distillery has

92-510: A Joint Select Committee on Stage Plays (Censorship) was established and recommended that the Lord Chamberlain should continue to act as censor but that it could be lawful to perform plays without a licence from the Lord Chamberlain. However, King Edward VII refused to accept these recommendations. The outbreak of both World Wars put an end to any parliamentary initiatives to change the laws regarding theatre censorship for many years. In 1948,

138-465: A commanding authority on London's theatre companies under the Royal Prerogative for many decades already. But by the 1730s the theatre was not controlled by royal patronage anymore. Instead it had become more of a commercial business. Therefore, the fact the Lord Chamberlain still retained censorship authority for the next 200 years gave him uniquely repressive authority during a period where Britain

184-471: A few non-UK companies, hold about 800 warrants to the British royal family, with frequent changes. The royal warrant signifies there is a satisfactory trade relation in place between the grantor and the company and that the goods nominated are suitable for supply to the royal household. Within the company, there is a nominated person called the grantee. That person is in all respects responsible for all aspects of

230-511: A greater emphasis on public relations started. In 1986, he produced a 1,393-page report recommending 188 changes for smoother operations of the Royal Household. The Lord Chamberlain's Office is a department of the Royal Household and its day-to-day work is headed by the Comptroller. It is responsible for organizing ceremonial activities including state visits, investitures, garden parties,

276-573: A long association with the royal family and was awarded its first Royal Warrant in 1848 when John Begg invited Prince Albert to visit the distillery from the nearby Balmoral Castle , the Monarch’s residence in the Highlands. The next day the distillery was visited by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their three eldest children. The distillery was then renamed as Royal Lochnagar three years following Queen Victoria's visit. The distillery sold whisky under

322-465: A play of any kind. The first London performance of the musical Hair was actually delayed until the Act was passed after a licence had been refused. The battle regarding the abolition of censorship was largely a political one, fought on principle. Those who opposed the termination of this particular duty of the Lord Chamberlain were mostly concerned about how to protect the reputation of the royal family and

368-739: A relatively small amount of whisky, most of which is used in Johnnie Walker black and blue label. As well as in use for blends by Diageo, the distillery produces a standard 12 year old single malt for public sale that is bottled at 40% abv. In June 2022, the distillery released a special edition whisky, known as the 'Balmoral platinum edition' for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II . 57°1′48″N 3°12′33″W  /  57.03000°N 3.20917°W  / 57.03000; -3.20917 Royal Warrant of Appointment (United Kingdom) Royal warrants of appointment have been issued since

414-475: A royal warrant, the Lord Chamberlain appointed tradespeople as suppliers to the royal household. The printer William Caxton was one of the first recipients of a royal warrant when he became the king's printer in 1476. One of the early monarchs to grant a warrant was King Charles II of England . A royal warrant sent a strong public signal that the holder supplied goods of a quality acceptable for use in

460-647: Is permitted to display the monarch symbol of the Royal Arms on its bottles at its distillery in Scotland, which neighbours King Charles’ Balmoral Estate. Today Royal Lochnagar is leased by Diageo from the Abergeldie Estate and is the smallest whisky distillery in Diageo's holdings. The present site is largely incorporated in its original farm and steadings, composed of Aberdeenshire granite stone. The distillery produces

506-601: Is usually a peer and before 1782 the post was of Cabinet rank . The position was a political one until 1924. The office dates from the Middle Ages when the King's Chamberlain often acted as the King's spokesman in Council and Parliament . The current Lord Chamberlain is The Lord Benyon , who has been in office since 4 November 2024. During the early modern period, the Lord Chamberlain

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552-566: The British Library also includes correspondence and administrative documents related to the censorship process. The Lord Chamberlain is the most senior official of the Royal Household and oversees its business, including liaising with the other senior officers of the Household, chairing Heads of Department meetings, and advising in the appointment of senior Household officials. The Lord Chamberlain also undertakes ceremonial duties and serves as

598-804: The Groom of the Stool/Stole ). His department not only furnished the servants and other personnel (such as physicians and bodyguards, the Yeomen of the Guard and Gentlemen Pensioners ) in intimate attendance on the Sovereign but arranged and staffed ceremonies and entertainments for the court. He also had (secular) authority over the Chapel Royal . In 1782, under the terms of the Civil List and Secret Service Money Act (22 Geo. III c.82),

644-564: The State Opening of Parliament . They also oversee the Royal Mews and Royal Travel, as well as the ceremony around the awarding of honours. From 1737 to 1968, the Lord Chamberlain had the power to decide which plays would be granted a licence for performance; this meant that he had the capacity to censor theatre at his pleasure. The Lord Chamberlain is always sworn of the Privy Council ,

690-550: The West End . In the case of John Osborne's play A Patriot for Me , the Lord Chamberlain at the time, Lord Cobbold , was irritated that the play was so widely publicized even though he had banned it and therefore pursued legal action. In the end, the play was allowed to continue as it was. At this point, several widely regarded authors had all been censored by the Lord Chamberlain at one time or another, including playwrights Henrik Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw . Sometimes censorship

736-475: The 15th century to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family , thereby lending prestige to the brand or supplier. In the United Kingdom , grants are usually made by the monarch, spouse, and heir apparent to companies or tradespeople who supply goods and services to individuals in

782-615: The Household is the most senior officer of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom , supervising the departments which support and provide advice to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom while also acting as the main channel of communication between the Sovereign and the House of Lords . The office organises all ceremonial activity such as garden parties , state visits , royal weddings , and

828-510: The Lord Chamberlain took on direct responsibility for items kept and maintained by the Great Wardrobe and the Jewel House (whereby these formerly semi-independent sub-departments were abolished). As other responsibilities of government were devolved to ministers, the ordering of the Royal Household was largely left to the personal taste of the Sovereign. To ensure that the chamber reflected

874-476: The State Opening of Parliament, weddings and funerals. On State and ceremonial occasions, the Lord Chamberlain carries specific symbols that represent his office: a white staff and a key (which is worn at the hip pocket). These insignia are returned to the monarch when the Lord Chamberlain retires from office; but if the monarch dies, the white staff is symbolically broken by the Lord Chamberlain and placed on

920-521: The absolute powers of censorship enjoyed by the Lord Chamberlain but still slightly restricted his powers so that he could only prohibit the performance of plays where he was of the opinion that "it is fitting for the preservation of good manners, decorum or of the public peace so to do". The Act, however, did abolish the monopoly that the patent houses had in London, providing a minor win for playwrights and theatre managers wishing to produce new work. In 1909,

966-515: The arts. Royal charters began to replace royal patronage in around the 12th century. The earliest charters were granted to the trade guilds, with the first recorded British royal charter being granted to the Weavers' Company in 1155 by Henry II of England . By the 15th century, the royal warrant of appointment replaced the royal charter in England, providing a more formalised system of recognition. Under

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1012-513: The channel of communication between the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Under Lord Airlie, the Lord Chamberlain’s ceremonial and non-executive role was altered to that of chief executive. Airlie initiated changes in the early 1990s under the auspices of "The Way Ahead Group". Under these plans the Queen agreed to pay tax, greater transparency for the public subsidy of the monarchy began and

1058-399: The coat of arms will usually appear the phrase "By Appointment to..." followed by the title and name of the royal customer, and then what goods are provided. No other details of what is supplied may be given. The granting of royal patronage or royal charter was practised across Europe from the early Medieval period . Initially, however, royal patronage was mainly granted to those working in

1104-733: The coffin of the deceased Sovereign at the end of the State Funeral service. This was last done by the Lord Parker of Minsmere , who broke his staff over the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. The Lord Chamberlain is ex-officio the Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order , having possession of a Badge corresponding to that office. As such, they are often appointed to the said Order either upon appointment as Lord Chamberlain, or later in their career. The Lord Chamberlain also regulates

1150-680: The death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021, warrants issued in his name became void. However, warrant holders are permitted to continue to use the Royal Arms and the legend after the death of a grantor, usually for up to two years. The same occurred upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II , and upon the Prince of Wales becoming king in September 2022. In May 2024, King Charles III and Queen Camilla granted their first royal warrants of appointment of

1196-513: The death of Queen Elizabeth II, warrants issued in her name can continue to be used for up to two years. Technically, however they are void and warrants do not automatically transfer across to the next sovereign. Warrants are currently granted by the King , the Queen and the Prince of Wales . Warrants issued by the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother automatically expired no later than 2007, five years after her death. Upon

1242-457: The family. Suppliers continue to charge for their goods and services – a royal warrant of appointment does not imply that they provide goods and services free of charge. The warrant is typically advertised on billboards or company hoardings in British English , letter-heads and products by displaying the coat of arms or the heraldic badge of the royal personage as appropriate. Underneath

1288-435: The first British Theatre Conference recommended the termination of theatre censorship with the plan to pursue parliamentary action to ratify this. In the 1960s the debate to abolish theatre censorship rose again as a new generation of young playwrights came on the scene. They gained popularity with their new plays in local establishments, but since many were refused a licence by the Lord Chamberlain, they could not transfer to

1334-514: The government instead of controlling obscenity and blasphemy on stage. However, this concern has largely been unfounded. Since the termination of censorship, British drama has flourished and produced several prominent playwrights and new works since. The abolition of censorship opened a floodgate of theatrical creativity. The long standing role of the Lord Chamberlain as theatrical censor resulted in an extensive archive of both licensed and unlicensed play scripts being preserved. The collection held at

1380-549: The granting of a royal warrant is a huge boost, because royal approval may be displayed in public with the coat of royal arms of the grantor, implying that their services or products are of high quality. Most warrant holders are members of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which liaises closely with the palace. Examples of royal warrants in use: Lord Chamberlain The Lord Chamberlain of

1426-448: The grantor, who may sign it; the grantor is empowered not to accept the committee's decision—the final decision whether to grant a warrant is personal. Some royal warrants have been held for more than a hundred years. Goods need not be for the use of the grantor; for example, cigarettes were bought for the use of guests of the royal family, though these warrants were cancelled in 1999 as a matter of public policy on smoking. For business,

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1472-453: The issue and present a solution. This time the argument largely centered around this issue on the portrayal of living and recently dead individuals, particularly in reference to the monarchy as well as politicians. After much debate, the Theatres Act 1968 was finally passed; it officially abolished the censorship of the stage and repealed the Lord Chamberlain's power to refuse a licence to

1518-400: The lack of copyright protection for their work and more importantly that only two patent theatres in London could legitimately perform new plays. After more pressure from playwrights and theatre managers, the findings of the committee were finally presented to Parliament. It was the proposals of this committee that Parliament implemented in the Theatres Act of 1843 . The Act still confirmed

1564-451: The most important warrant holder suppliers to the palace. High-profile food and beverage suppliers with a royal warrant include Cadbury ; Twinings of London; Bollinger ; Fortnum & Mason ; Heinz ; Tanqueray ; Gordon & Co and Schweppes . Non-food suppliers with royal warrants include Aston Martin ; Land Rover ; Jaguar cars ; Boots ; Axminster Carpets ; Paragon China ; The Irish Linen Company and Yardley of London . After

1610-400: The name John Begg until the late 20th century (under the slogan 'Take a peg of John Begg'. The distillery remained in direct family ownership until 1902 when it became a private limited company. In 1916, the company was acquired by DCL . Until 1963, waterwheels and a steam engine powered the site. In 2022 the distillery was awarded it’s fifth Royal Warrant. With the new honour, Royal Lochnagar

1656-534: The new reign. According to The Guardian , William, Prince of Wales will grant warrants from 2025. Royal warrants are awarded to only tradesmen , such as carpenters, engravers, cabinet makers, dry-cleaners, and even chimney sweeps. Some are well-known companies; many are not. The professions, employment agencies, party planners, the media, government departments, and "places of refreshment or entertainment" (such as pubs and theatres) do not qualify. As of May 2024 about 750 individuals and companies, including

1702-514: The royal arms on their premises, packaging and labelling. By 1840, the rules surrounding the display of royal arms were tightened to prevent fraudulent claims. By the early 19th century, during the reign of Queen Victoria , the number of royal warrants granted rose rapidly with the granting of 2,000 warrants. Since 1885, an annual list of warrant holders has been published in The London Gazette . Food and drink manufacturers have been some of

1748-517: The royal household, and by inference, inspired the confidence of the general public. At a time when product quality was a public issue, a royal warrant imbued suppliers with an independent sign of value. By the 18th century, mass market manufacturers such as Josiah Wedgwood and Matthew Boulton , recognised the value of supplying royalty, often at prices well below cost, for the sake of the publicity and kudos it generated. Royal warrants became keenly sought after and manufacturers began actively displaying

1794-439: The royal tastes, the Lord Chamberlain received commands directly from the sovereign to be transmitted to the heads of subordinate departments. In 1594, the Lord Chamberlain, Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon , founded the Lord Chamberlain's Men , for which William Shakespeare was a part (and later a shareholder in the company) and for whom he wrote most of his plays during his career. Carey served under Elizabeth I of England at

1840-508: The royal warrant. A company must have supplied goods or services to the royal household for five years to become eligible to have its application considered for recommendation. The royal household's buyer then makes their recommendation for inclusion. It then goes in front of the Royal Household Warrants Committee, which is chaired by the Lord Chamberlain , which decides whether to accept the recommendation. It then goes to

1886-464: The theatre licensing system in England needed an upgrade. Playwrights, instead of representatives of minor theatres, actually initiated the final push for reform as they felt that their livelihoods were being negatively affected by the monopoly the larger theatres had on the industry, backed by the laws in the 1737 Act. A Select Committee was formed in 1832 with the purpose of examining the laws that affected dramatic literature. Their main complaints were

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1932-428: The theatrical censor. The Licensing Act 1737 gave the Lord Chamberlain the statutory authority to veto the performance of any new plays: he could prevent any new play, or any modification to an existing play, from being performed for any reason, and theatre owners could be prosecuted for staging a play (or part of a play) that had not received prior approval. Historically though, the Lord Chamberlain had been exercising

1978-635: The time and was in charge of all court entertainment, a duty traditionally given to the Master of the Revels , a deputy of the Lord Chamberlain. Later, in 1603, James I of England , elevated the Chamberlain's Men to royal patronage and changed the name to the King's Men . In 1737, Sir Robert Walpole officially introduced statutory censorship with the Licensing Act of 1737 by appointing the Lord Chamberlain to act as

2024-464: Was experiencing "growing political enfranchisement and liberalization". Even further confusion rested in the fact that Members of Parliament could not present changes to the censorship laws because although the Lord Chamberlain exercised his authority under statute law, he was still an official whose authority was derived from the Royal Prerogative. By the 1830s, it started to become clear that

2070-520: Was one of the three principal officers of the Royal Household, the others being the Lord Steward and the Master of the Horse . The Lord Chamberlain was responsible for the "chamber" or the household "above stairs": that is, the series of rooms used by the Sovereign to receive increasingly select visitors, terminating in the royal bedchamber (although the bedchamber itself came to operate semi-autonomously under

2116-524: Was self-serving. A comedy written for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the early 1960s had, as its plot, a jocular scheme to steal the Crown jewels. The Lord Chamberlain issued a one-line letter requiring the excision of that plot element. As Michael Palin , one of its authors and performers notes, that meant banning the entire production. Another Joint Select Committee was founded to further debate on

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