ANGOSTURA Ltd, the renowned producer of Angostura aromatic bitters, has had its Royal Warrant withdrawn by King Charles III, ending a long-standing relationship that lasted 112 years. The decision was part of a broader announcement made on Sunday by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which revealed the new Royal Warrants granted under King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The Royal Warrant Holders Association noted that the second set of Royal Warrants for the new reign was granted in December 2024 to 386 companies that previously held a single Royal Warrant under Queen Elizabeth II, as well as seven companies with ongoing trading relationships with Queen Camilla. This marks a significant shift in the companies recognized by the monarchy under the current reign.
“These grants follow 152 Royal Warrants granted by Their Majesties in May, to companies drawn from those previously holding a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty as Prince of Wales, who began granting Warrants in 1980,” it stated.
Currently, there are 545 Royal Warrants held by 538 companies. Missing from the latest list, alongside ANGOSTURA Ltd, are several well-known brands, such as Cadbury, Elizabeth Arden, and Vauxhall. These companies, whose Royal Warrants were not renewed, will have to wait until May next year to reapply for a spot on the prestigious list of suppliers officially recognized by the British monarchy. This marks a significant change in the companies that are granted Royal Warrants under King Charles III’s reign.
In 1824, Dr. Johann Siegert, living in the town of Angostura, Venezuela, first created aromatic bitters as a medicinal tincture to treat stomach ailments. His invention marked the beginning of what would become a globally recognized brand.
In 1875, the Siegert family relocated the business to Trinidad, where it was run by Dr. Siegert’s sons, Carlos, Alfredo, and Luis, under the name JGB Siegert & Hijos. It was during this time that Angostura Aromatic Bitters gained popularity as a key ingredient in both cocktails and food, laying the foundation for its widespread use.
In 1912, JGB Siegert & Hijos became a public limited liability company, registered in England. Around this time, the company was also appointed as a direct supplier of Angostura aromatic bitters to His Majesty King George V, marking the beginning of its long association with the British monarchy.
In 1955, the company earned the distinction of becoming the manufacturers of Angostura Aromatic Bitters to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, making it the only bitters brand in the world with such credentials.
When Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, all royal warrants she had granted became void, according to the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
Its website stated: “The Royal Household will review Warrant grants upon a change of the reigning Sovereign.”
It further stated “Royal Warrants are granted for up to five years and only to companies that provide goods or services to the Royal Household. Goods purchased for re-sale by souvenir shops run by Royal Collection Enterprises and the Private Estates, and goods or services provided to the Crown Estate, Historic Royal Palaces, Highgrove Enterprises, King’s Foundation, the Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster and Royal Parks do not qualify,” it stated.
