A ROYAL award has taken pride of place at the European headquarters of a Haddenham company.

The Queen has granted McCormick (UK) plc her Royal Warrant for the supply of Schwartz herbs, spices, seasonings and sauce mixes to the royal household.

As a result McCormick will be able to display the Royal Arms on their products, stationery and premises for the coming ten years.

John Molan, group vice-president and managing director of McCormick Europe, said: "This is a great honour for McCormick (UK) plc to be recognised in this way by the Queen's household.

"All our employees can take real pride in the fact that we have received this recognition. Obtaining this honour has placed us among a large group of best-known British and worldwide companies."

Royal Warrants have been in existence since the Middle Ages, but it was in the reign of Queen Victoria that the present practice to authorise manufacturers and tradesmen to display the Royal Arms was established.

A company must supply goods or service to the royal household over a period of five years and in a reasonable quantity to qualify.

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