Lingerie firm loses Royal Warrant after book shares bra fitting secrets

0 Rigby & Peller was bought by June Kenton with her husband for £20,000 in 1982, the couple sold their majority stake in 2011 for £8m but she remains on the board A company which supplied lingerie to the Queen has lost its royal warrant after the firm’s director wrote a book revealing details of royal bra fittings.

Rigby & Peller, a luxury underwear firm founded in London, had held the royal warrant since 1960.

It was withdrawn after June Kenton, who fitted bras for the Queen, released a book called ‘Storm in a D-cup’.

Mrs Kenton said there was “nothing” in the book to “be upset about”, adding that it was an “unbelievable” decision.

Buckingham Palace said it did not “comment on individual companies”.

A statement from Rigby & Peller said it was “deeply saddened” by the decision, adding it was “not able to elaborate further on the cancellation out of respect for her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Warrantholdersassociation”.

It added: “However, the company will continue to provide an exemplary and discreet service to its clients.”

The Royal Warrants Association says 20 to 40 Royal Warrants are cancelled every year, and a similar number granted.

Mrs Kenton, from Bushey in Hertfordshire, had 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.

As official “corsetiere” to the Queen, Mrs Kenton regularly visited Buckingham Palace and served members of the Royal Family, including the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

The 82-year-old’s autobiography was published in March 2017 and gave details of her royal visits.

She said she was told by the Palace six months ago that they “didn’t like the book”. “I’m very sad Buckingham Palace took exception to the story – it’s a kind and gentle story about what went on in my life,” she said.

“I only ever said I went there, not what happened. I have never, ever spoken about what I do there with her, or the Queen Mother or Princess Margaret.”

“I think it’s unbelievable. It’s just upsetting at the end of my life, but what can I do. I can’t fight with Buckingham Palace and I wouldn’t want to, but it’s hard.

Mrs Kenton, who started working for the Queen in the early 1980s, has been in the lingerie industry for more than 60 years.

She went on: “I’ve been honourable throughout my life it’s unbelievable they don’t like the book, there’s nothing in it that they could remotely be upset about.

“It’s a sweet story of a corsetiere.

“I probably should have submitted it to them but I didn’t think anything would be required.”