Jewellery brands championed by Princess Diana and Princess Catherine to receive royal grant

Ben McCaffrey
Sat, 02 May 2026 12:21:48 +0000

Three British brands with deep connections to both the current and late Princess of Wales have received royal warrants from the Queen.

Jeweller Kiki McDonough, handbag designer Dame Anya Hindmarch, and fashion label Me+Em have all been granted the prestigious seal of approval.

The recognition brings the total number of warrants awarded by the Queen to 35.

All three brands described the honour in glowing terms, calling it a "great privilege" and a "mark of trust and excellence".

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Senior royals have championed these labels for decades, with both the late Princess Diana and current members of the family regularly sporting their designs at public engagements.

Mrs McDonough, whose father Robin Axford was a fourth-generation jeweller, established her first boutique on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia in 1989.

The designer has credited Diana with propelling her brand into the spotlight during the 1990s.

Mrs McDonough has recounted how the princess once arrived unannounced at her shop, prompting a builder to urge her to answer the door.

"I thought he was joking," she recalled. "I just said, 'Oh, for goodness sake, it's too early in the morning for jokes!'"

Diana subsequently wore Mrs McDonough's earrings when meeting Barbara Bush at the White House in October 1990.

Catherine has continued this royal patronage, with approximately 20 pieces by the designer believed to be in her collection.

Dame Anya established her luxury label in 1987 and developed a particularly close working relationship with Diana.

The handbag and leather goods designer created bespoke satin clutch bags that the princess could hold against her chest to conceal low necklines when exiting vehicles.

LATEST ROYAL NEWS

Prince William and Princess Catherine share new photo of Charlotte celebrating 11th birthday

King ends first full day in Bermuda with garden party

‘Insulting’: Fans hit out as British royals skip birthday milestone

According to British Vogue, Dame Anya embroidered the letter D inside these "cleavage bags", which became "their little secret".

The designer's creations remain popular with royals today, with the Queen spotted carrying a straw clutch from the brand last summer.

Dame Anya reportedly described receiving the warrant as "quite special and a lovely surprise".

The brand stated: "We are honoured to have been granted a Royal Warrant as Manufacturer of Handbags and Leather Goods to Her Majesty The Queen."

Dame Anya received her damehood from the King early last year.

Me+Em was established by Clare Hornby in 2009 and has become a firm favourite with both the Queen and the Princess of Wales.

The brand maintains connections to senior Labour figures through Mrs Hornby's husband Johnny, who served as managing director at TBWA, the marketing firm that managed Tony Blair's successful 2001 election campaign.

Both senior royals frequently choose the label's dresses for public appearances.

In February, the Queen selected a black polka dot Me+Em dress for a reception celebrating the 500 Words creative writing competition final at Windsor Castle.

The Princess of Wales opted for a vibrant pink Me+Em dress when joining children for a picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023.

The Queen first began granting warrants to her preferred fashion designers and beauty specialists in December 2024, when recipients included dressmakers Anna Valentine and Fiona Clare, alongside her favoured milliner Philip Treacy.

That initial round marked the first occasion she had been able to publicly endorse her most trusted suppliers.

The King and Queen have together awarded warrants to more than 400 suppliers to the royal household, with approximately 40 granted in April alone.

Royal warrants are granted for periods of up to five years as recognition for an ongoing supply of goods or services.