Our Queen, The Patron

The Queen’s patronage of more than 600 organisations across the UK and Commonwealth was celebrated with the Patron’s Lunch.

12:52 13 June 2016

Queen Elizabeth is the patron for more than 600 organisations including schools, professional institutions, universities, social clubs, environmental bodies, agricultural societies, arts organization, children’s charities, armed services, and sports associations.

 

Most of the organisations are based in the UK and many of them take the suffix of “royal” to honour the Queen – the Royal British Legion, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Royal Horticultural Society, for example.

 

Buckingham Palace said patronages "generally reflect the interests of the member of the Royal Family involved", adding that "occasionally, a member of the Royal Family will hear about a cause whilst on a visit, or via one of their other charities, and will decide to support it".

 

Queen’s patronage of more than 600 organisations was celebrated through the Patron Lunch, which was held on 12 June 2016 at The Mall. It was attended by some 10,000 guests along with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family.

 

John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "Her Majesty the Queen stands behind so many of the things that matter in the public life of this country, including the charities and voluntary organisations which help make Britain what it is."