Cadbury was granted its first royal patent under Queen Victoria in 1854
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Chocolate maker Cadbury has been removed from the Royal Patent Roll for the first time in 170 years.
The Birmingham-based chocolatier received its first royal patent as a manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa from Queen Victoria in 1854, but lost royal approval under King Charles.
Cadbury's US owners, Mondelez International, said they were disappointed that their patent had been revoked.
The king has granted royal patents to 386 companies previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II, including John Lewis, Heinz and Nestlé.
Companies that hold a royal patent of appointment, granted for a maximum period of five years, are recognised for supplying goods or services to the monarchy. Among the new holders of the King's Warrant are several food and drink companies, including Moet and Chandon, Weetabix and chocolate makers Bendicks and Prestat Ltd.
The brands are allowed to use the royal family's coat of arms on packaging, advertising or stationery.
Earlier this year, advocacy group B4Ukraine urged the king to remove warrants from companies "still operating in Russia" following the invasion of Ukraine, citing Mondelez and consumer goods company Unilever, which has also been seen withdrawing its approval.
"While we are disappointed to be among the hundreds of other businesses and brands in the UK that have not been granted a new warrant, we are proud that we have already been granted one and we fully respect the decision," a Mondelez spokesman said.
Unilever added that it was "very proud" of its brands' long history as a supplier to the royal family, having recently received a commission from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Getty Images The front of Cadbury's Bournville headquarters. A large purple sign with the word Cadbury stands on the front lawn, with a large building behind it.
Cadbury is among the brands and products whose royal warrants have been removed in a new list
Professor David Bailey, from Birmingham Business School, said the chocolate maker's decision to remove the warrant would have an impact on its costs, as the brand would have to be removed from all packaging.
A royal warrant was a "kind of seal of approval" that should bring significant benefits to the British economy, he added.
Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Professor Bailey said British businesses also benefit from royal approval.
"What is a royal warrant for, if not to help British jobs and British manufacturing?" he asked. Various posters and advertising images of Cadbury brands over the years. The chocolate giant celebrated its 200th anniversary in March.
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The British chocolate giant celebrated its 200th anniversary earlier this year, after its founder John Cadbury opened a grocer selling cocoa and drinking chocolate in Birmingham on March 4, 1824.
The brand grew as his children took over the business, eventually building the Bournville factory that became the world's largest cocoa producer.
US food company Kraft acquired the brand in a controversial deal in 2010, with Cadbury becoming part of its Mondelez division in 2012.
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