King Charles takes on more than 200 new charity patronages - including some close to his mother's heart

3 May 2024, 22:13 | Updated: 4 May 2024, 03:43

The King has increased his number of charity patronages by more than 200 and taken on some that were close to his mother's heart.

The move comes following a major review of more than 1,000 royal patronages.

It was carried out following the death of Elizabeth II and looked at the charities and organisations supported by the late queen, as well as Charles and Camilla.

It had been anticipated that the King may take a more minimalist approach to organisations he's taken on, and concentrate on those that tie in with the key focuses of his work; community, commonwealth, climate and culture.

While many do, he's also added more to his portfolio including becoming patron of the Royal British Legion, a role held by his mother from the moment she became queen.

The director general of the Royal British Legion, Mark Atkinson, said the King has "always supported the RBL, supported the armed forces community" and is "really aware of the welfare and financial support we provide to that community, day in day out".

He added that the patronage "really matters, because the King leads the nation in remembrance ensuring that nobody's service is forgotten".

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The King's patronages have increased from 441 to 669 while the Queen has an additional 15 and now heads 115 organisations. The late Elizabeth II had 492.

The Dog's Trust is another the King takes on. Its chief executive said: "It means so much to us. His late mother was our patron for many years and it's fantastic that the monarch is carrying on in that role.

"It brings to the forefront all the issues of dog welfare and the King has been a dog owner all his life."

The Queen takes on the patronage of the Royal Academy of Dance from her late mother-in-law, along with the presidency of the Sandringham Women's Institute. Both Camilla and Charles have become joint patrons for The Jockey Club.

An expert on royal patronages said the roles help the Royal Family as well as the charities.

Professor John Tribe, a senior lecturer in law at the University of Liverpool, said: "They help with fundraising, associated kudos and other links between the two organisations... but then of course the monarchy benefits, because it's a way of perhaps showing why the sovereign grant is justified.

"If we've got these various patronages being undertaken thoroughly and well, that's one of way demonstrating to the public that the monarchy is value for money."

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On Monday, the King and Queen will mark the first anniversary of the coronation privately.

Last week, they both met cancer patients in London for the King's first public engagement since he was diagnosed with the disease.

(c) Sky News 2024: King Charles takes on more than 200 new charity patronages - including some close to his mother's heart