British jeweller Kiki McDonough – a favourite of senior royals – has been handed a coveted royal warrant from the Queen.
The London-based designer has been quietly added to the Royal Warrants Association website after receiving the award from Camilla.
McDonough is also a huge favourite of the Princess of Wales, who is frequently seen in her earrings.
She will no doubt be delighted by the news.
She told the Mail: ‘Receiving a Royal Warrant is the greatest honour of my career – something I could scarcely have dreamed of when I sat down with a pencil and paper contemplating my first design over 40 years ago.
‘To be recognised in this way for craftsmanship and consistency over decades feels incredibly special. A Royal Warrant is the ultimate mark of trust and excellence, built over time, and that makes it all the more meaningful.
‘This moment feels like a celebration of a lifetime dedicated to the beauty and individuality of coloured gemstones.’
Founded in London in 1985 by fifth-generation jeweller McDonough, the eponymous fine jewellery brand is renowned for showcasing vibrant gemstones in timeless designs.
British jeweller Kiki McDonough (pictured) – a favourite of senior royals – has been handed a coveted royal warrant from the Queen. The London-based designer has been quietly added to the Royal Warrants Association website
McDonough is also a huge favourite of the Princess of Wales, who is frequently seen in her earrings
The eponymous fine jewellery brand is renowned for showcasing vibrant gemstones in timeless designs. Her gems have graced three generations of British royalty – including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as Catherine and Camilla
She is also known for her exceptional craftsmanship and responsibly sourced materials.
Her gems have graced three generations of British royalty – including the late Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as Catherine and Camilla.
McDonough has previously said the Princess had played a meaningful role in her firm’s evolution, putting the already popular brand on the map for a new generation.
Over the years, she has worn multiple earrings from the range.
She said: ‘The Princess of Wales has changed so many brands and taken them to the next level – and every brand would say how grateful they are to her.
‘Like Diana, she understands how she can help British brands by wearing them and it’s massively helpful.’
McDonough has previously said the Princess of Wales had played a meaningful role in her firm’s evolution, putting the already popular brand on the map for a new generation
McDonough told The Mail: ‘The Princess of Wales has changed so many brands and taken them to the next level – and every brand would say how grateful they are to her’
Queen Camilla, who has handed the renowned jeweller the royal warrant, is also known to be particularly fond of Kiki McDonough’s jewellery
A Royal Warrant of Appointment is granted as a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household.
There are currently over 800 Royal Warrant holders and represent a huge cross-section of trade and industry, from individual craftspeople to global multi-nationals, ranging from dry cleaners to fishmongers, and from agricultural machinery to computer software.
Warrant-holding firms do not provide their goods or services for free to the Royal Households, and all transactions are conducted on a strictly commercial basis.
A Royal Warrant is initially granted for up to five years to a named individual at a company, known as the “Grantee”.
The grant of a Royal Warrant gives the holder the right to display the Royal Arms, but they are not entitled to claim or imply any exclusivity of supply.
However the kudos and value to them as a business can be enormous.
The King and Queen are the only royals to currently hand out warrants, but the Prince and Princess of Wales are also in the process of doing so.
