KATHERINE SPENLEY: Royal-approved beauty buys you need - including the £8.50 soap perfect for posh stocking fillers

Updated: 05:44 EDT, 9 November 2026 I’ve always been fascinated by royal warrants. After all, if you can choose literally anything you fancy, the stuff you plump for must be pretty damn good. And the thought that us commoners can get a taste of it for the price of a jar of marmalade (Tiptree – royal warrants from both the late Queen and the King, by the way) has always been pretty compelling to meWhen it comes to beauty with the royal seal of approval, I can happily report that the Queen’s salon, Jo Hansford in Mayfair, is indeed a purveyor of the bounciest of blow-dries. Whether Her Majesty will be nipping in ahead of the King’s birthday this weekend is anyone’s guess, but I rather like imagining her at the backwash.And what about the King’s royal warrant holders?First up, Bronnley. If His Majesty received one of its lemon-shaped, lemon-scented soaps for his big day, I'm sure he’d be thrilled.It’s a perfect present and an utter delight to use (I’m also rather partial to Bronnley’s lemon-scented Brightening Hand Cream, £10).Then there’s Penhaligon’s. Its Highgrove Bouquet Eau du Parfum is inspired by the gardens at the King’s country retreat, and it smells divine.Although, for me, nothing in the Penhaligon’s line-up quite beats Halfeti, which is utterly intoxicating.And then, the big guns: bath oil. Olverum holds the King’s royal warrant – and is stocked in the Highgrove shop. High praise indeed.Its blend of ten essential oils includes Siberian fir needle, eucalyptus and lavender, and I’ve become slightly addicted to it. The temptation is to pour in gallons, although the recommended half-capful is all you need. It leaves my skin soft and deliciously scented long after I’ve climbed out of the bath (especially when I ignore the instructions and add an extra huge glug or two).Royally good stuff.