Milborrow Chimney Sweeps speak about serving the Queen

Kevin Giddings and his team at Crawley Down based Milborrow Chimney Sweeps have been maintaining the chimneys and fires at royal residences including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, St James’ Palace and Kensington Palace since 2002, when the business was awarded a Royal Warrant by the Queen.

The company was also issued with a Royal Warrant to the then Prince of Wales to care for the chimneys and fires at Highgrove.

And Milborrow’s sister company Croydon Fireplaces, owned by Mr and Mrs Gidding’s son Ben, works “hand in hand” with the business on royal projects.

During his 20 years of service Mr Giddings has been presented to the Queen six times and has also met King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales, as well as the late Duke of Edinburgh.

Kevin Giddings has worked with the Royal Family for 20 years (Image: Newsquest)

The businessman also met the Queen while he was working at the palaces.

Katie Giddings, Kevin’s wife, said it was a “privilege” to receive the Royal Warrant.

“It was absolutely mind blowing,” she said.

“It was a huge honour and privilege.

“The Royal Family looks after their royal warrant holders extremely well.

“My husband has been presented to Her Majesty on six separate occasions and on each occasion, she has spoken to him.

“She was an incredibly knowledgeable lady who even spoke to the chimney sweep about his work and made him feel very important.

“He’s absolutely honoured and thrilled that the Queen did recognise him as her chimney sweep and on one occasion there was a function we were at at Buckingham Palace and the Queen indicated to my husband and said it’s my chimney sweep.

“When you’re a Royal Warrant holder you’re a member of the Royal Warrant Association, who look after the royal warrant holders and organise various events and functions.

“Often members of the Royal Family are at these events.

“My husband has sat at the same dinner table as the late Duke of Edinburgh and we have been presented to, as he was then, the Prince of Wales three times.

“He treats his Royal Warrant holders incredibly personally.”

Milborrow Chimney Sweeps also attend weddings dressed in authentic Victorian dress with their real live black cat to bring luck to the bride (Image: Newsquest)

The company is now awaiting to find out if its Royal Warrant will be renewed to King Charles III, who has the final say on any royal warrant renewals.

“We have two years to continue to use the warrant to Her Majesty the Queen and during those two years all warrants will be reviewed and will either be reissued to His Majesty or will be withdrawn,” said Mrs Giddings.

Mrs Giddings spoke of the family’s “devastation” at the death of the Queen and wished King Charles “all the luck in the world”.

“Like the rest of the world we’re absolutely devastated by the loss of Her Majesty and wish His Majesty all the luck in the world from his lucky sweep for his future reign.

"We have every confidence that he will do a great job,” she said.