ROYAL WARRANTS LIST

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27859, 6 January 1956, Page 13

ROYAL WARRANTS LIST

Newspaper Criticises Practice “UTTER NONSENSE, SILLY AND OBSOLETE” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) •Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. The “Daily Mirror.” which has a circulation of more than 4,000.000, today hit out at the practice of granting Royal warrants to traders. In a leading article the newspaper said that the world had just been given the names of the various tradesmen who supplied the Duke of Edinburgh with suits, kilts, guns, jewellery, and other personal needs. All these —and the barber who gave the Duke his “short-back-and sides’’ could style themselves “by appointment” and display the Duke’s arms outside their premises.

“What utter nonsense,” the paper said. “It is silly and obsolete. It is Royal patronage at its most undignified.”

The paper said that nearly three years ago it was revealed that the Queen did not wish hotels to be named after Prince Charles or any other living member of the Royal Family. “Yet now a firm which takes in the Duke of Edinburgh's washing can display his arms and have its name boosted by Royal proclamation. “Are working women likely to send their bras and scanties to the White Heather laundry in the hope that they will pass through the same mangle as the ducal underpants or be ironed in close proximity to the Royal' undervests?” it asked.

“Stuffy reactionaries criticise the popular press for discussing the Royal Family in an intimate way. But why tlame the newspapers when such intimate details are allowed?” the “Daily Mirror” added.