A bag of RJ’s Black Licorice was spotted in King Charles’ car as he disembarked in a video posted by the New Zealand confectionery company, sparking delight among its founders and staff.
RJ’s Confectionery, based in Levin, New Zealand, shared the video on social media with the caption: “Turns out RJ’s Licorice is fit for a king.” A spokesperson for the company confirmed the sighting to 1News, stating, “We were just as delighted as everyone else to spot a pack of RJ’s Black Licorice in the background of the recent video.”
Founded in 1995 by Roger Halliwell and his son, Regan James (RJ), RJ’s Confectionery began with a simple ambition: to create better licorice than what was currently available in New Zealand. According to the company’s website, by 1998, RJ’s had become the market leader in the country. The company’s innovation extended beyond traditional licorice, leading to the creation of the RJ’s licorice choc log in 2000 – a product described as a world first.
While the company stated they were unable to provide specifics regarding how the licorice ended up in the King’s vehicle, they noted that their UK distributor hosted a Waitangi Day celebration several years ago, which was attended by Queen Camilla. She reportedly departed with a selection of RJ’s products.
“RJ’s is proudly New Zealand-made, so it’s always special to notice our licorice travelling the world, and perhaps even finding its way into royal circles,” the spokesperson added. “We’re thrilled that this has sparked so much excitement back home.”
RJ’s Confectionery currently employs over 120 people in Levin and produces a range of licorice and chocolate products. The company exports over 10,000,000 units annually to countries around the globe, and also distributes Mackintosh’s, Oddfellows, Fabulicious and Heards confectionery brands.
