King Frederik of Denmark has made a significant change as he nears the end of his first year on the throne.

While much of his reign has mirrored the stability of his mother, Queen Margrethe, Frederik, 56, has decided to abolish the Kongelig Hofleverandør system, also known as royal warrants of appointment.

These warrants were traditionally awarded to companies or merchants who consistently provided goods or services to the Danish Royal Household. The title, popular among British royals, signified that a product had received a prestigious royal endorsement.

In Denmark, items displaying the royal coat of arms range from boat paint, pharmaceuticals, and chocolates to jewellery, tablecloths, and furniture. Notably, the Danish royal endorsement extends to five international brands, including French cognac, champagne, Scotch whisky, Portuguese port wine, and Swedish mineral water.

King Frederik reportedly views the system as outdated and is keen to modernize it. His decision is partly motivated by a desire to support a broader range of brands and to address the issue that many current warrant holders no longer supply the royal court.

This shift in Denmark could inspire other monarchs, such as Prince William, to consider similar changes. Although the warrant system remains in place in the UK and Sweden, the Prince of Wales has expressed an interest in modernizing the monarchy.

During an interview in South Africa, following his visit for the Earthshot Prize Awards, Prince William hinted at a shift in his approach. He described his vision as involving “a smaller ‘r’ in the royal,” suggesting a move towards a more approachable and modern monarchy.

Kensington Palace has highlighted Prince William’s emerging role as a global statesman, emphasized during his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

However, the Prince’s focus remains on impactful philanthropy, collaboration, and empathy, aiming to create tangible change through initiatives under the Royal Foundation.

“It’s about impact philanthropy, collaboration, and helping people,” William explained. “I believe in empathetic leadership, and I think the world could benefit from more of it. Catherine and I are committed to making a difference, whether through projects like Earthshot or Homewards. Our goal is to drive change and improve lives.”