Queen’s bra-fitter feels ‘absolutely sick’ to have lost ‘gorgeous’ royal warrant
June Kenton, director of lingerie firm Rigby & Peller, lost prestigious status after publishing memoirs
Francine Wolfisz is the Features Editor for Jewish News.
The Queen’s bra-fitter has revealed she feels “absolutely sick” that her company has been stripped of the royal warrant following the publication of her memoirs.
June Kenton, director of lingerie firm Rigby & Peller, wrote Storm in a D Cup last year, revealing how she turned a once-struggling business into a global success and counted hundreds of celebrities and notables – including the Queen, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret – among her clientele.
But just months after the book was released, Kenton received a letter last May informing her that the warrant, which she has held since 1982 and granted to the company since 1960, has been cancelled.
The 82-year-old from Bushey Heath confirmed that the letter mentioned her book and said she had personally written to the Queen to apologise.
She told Jewish News: “I’ve had the royal warrant for nearly 40 years and I’ve never stepped out of line. I certainly wouldn’t have written this book if I thought I’d stepped out of line in printing it, but obviously I did.
Credit : Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire
“I wrote the book for the family, for the business and how it’s grown. I did it for all the good reasons and I certainly never said anything about the royal family that I thought was objectionable. But obviously I was wrong.
“I feel hugely sad. To have the royal warrant is the most gorgeous thing. It means that you have a certain standard of business, that you are honourable.
“We are the same as we always were, we are still honourable and we still never discuss what goes on in a fitting room with any customer – let alone the Queen.”
Rigby & Peller said in a statement: “The Royal Household Warrants Committee has decided to cancel the royal warrant granted to Rigby & Peller and Mrs June Kenton.
“Rigby & Peller is deeply saddened by this decision and is not able to elaborate further on the cancellation out of respect for Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Warrant Holders Association.
“However, the company will continue to provide an exemplary and discreet service to its clients.”
Buckingham Palace said it did not “comment on individual companies”.
Kenton bought Rigby & Peller with her husband in 1982 for £20,000 before selling a majority stake in 2011 for £8 million, although she remains on the board.
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