Is Queen Elizabeth the original influencer? The Kardashians have nothing on the British monarch who gave a royal stamp of approval to Jaguar, Aston Martin and Cadbury

Jul 10 , 2021

Queen Elizabeth: the original influencer? Photo: @theroyalfamily/Instagram

The queen can award Royal Warrants of Appointment to quality products like Tanqueray and Bollinger, and grant royal pardons like she did for Alan Turing

She is also queen of swans in the River Thames as well as ‘royal fish’ – dolphins, whales, porpoises and sturgeon caught within 5km of the UK coastline

We all know the queen isn’t like the rest of us. Being one of the most recognised people in the world and a member of a family with a genealogy that stretches back over a 1,000 years (to Alfred the Great, King of the Anglo-Saxons), she holds a number of powers which range from the sublime to the downright bizarre. Here are a few ...

The queen is the ultimate influencer

The British monarch has been granting the royal warrants since the 15th century, which are often taken to meet products and services of the highest quality. Photo: PA Wire

Think the Kardashians are the first and foremost in the world of celeb endorsements? Think again! British monarchs, and those authorised by them, have been recognising quality products and services supplied to the royal households in the form of Royal Warrants of Appointment. Awarded since the 15th century, receiving the royal nod means reaching the pinnacle in one’s industry or profession.

Chocolate major Cadbury received its first Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria in 1854. Photo: @CadburyWorld/ Twitter

Cadbury, Twinings, Bollinger, Fortnum & Mason, Heinz, Tanqueray Gordon & Co and Schweppes are just a few of the famous food and drink brands that have received warrants, whilst you’d be in royal company if you use anything from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Boots, Paragon China or even Yardley of London.

She appoints the Poet Laureate – and pays him with sherry

Ted Hughes was the last Poet Laureate to enjoy a lifetime appointment in the position. Photo: AP Photo

One of the queen’s prerogatives is the appointment of the Poet Laureate. The post is awarded to a poet whose work is of “national significance”. The current holder of the position is Simon Armitage who, in part payment for his services to the crown, is entitled to a barrel of sherry! He most recently penned a poem to mark the passing of the queen’s husband, Prince Philip.