To
begin with, there were just 25 members but in the second and subsequent
years the numbers rose steadily. In tune with the times it was an exclusively male
organisation, although it was agreed that if ‘a lady or firm of
ladies’ held a Royal Warrant they should be allowed to ‘appoint a
gentleman to represent them.’
In 1907 the Association received its Royal Charter and changed its name to
The Royal Warrant Holders Association. Today most Warrant Holders belong to the Association.
Role
One of
the Association’s most important roles is to act as a ‘watchdog’,
making sure the Royal Warrant is only used by ‘bona fide’ Warrant
Holders, and that those who are allowed to use it, do so correctly.
The Association also advises members on everything to do with their
Warrant, and acts as an important link to the Royal Household.
Whilst a large number of Warrant Holders are based in or around London, the home
of The Queen's principal residence Buckingham Palace, branches of the Association are to be found in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sandringham (www.sarwh.org) and Windsor. |