King and Queen take on new arts patronages

HM KING CHARLES and HM QUEEN CAMILLA have accepted patronages from several arts organisations following a review of charities supported by the Royal Household, including 492 patronages previously held by Queen Elizabeth II.

The King will become Patron of the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society, Orchestra and Choir, the Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Ballet, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla takes up patronage of the Royal Academy of Dance and the Royal Literary Fund.

As Prince of Wales, King Charles was Patron of more than 20 performing arts organisations, including the Royal College of Music, the Royal Opera, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, the British Film Institute and the Purcell School.

"The King’s love of music and his championing of musical organisations throughout his life is something we continue to treasure," said JONATHAN FREEMAN-ATTWOOD, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music. "Never has such support been more appreciated as we continue to navigate the many challenges faced by the arts."

Chief Executive Liverpool Philharmonic Society, Orchestra and Choir, MICHAEL EAKIN OBE, said he was "immensely grateful" for the King's recognition of the organisation's learning and community engagement programmes. He added: "As the UK’s oldest orchestra and one of the largest cultural organisations in Liverpool, we strive to enhance and transform lives through music." 

Professor LINDA MERRICK CBE, Principal of the Royal Northern College of Music, where the late Queen served as Patron for over 50 years, said she was "proud and privileged" that King Charles had decided to take up the role. 

King Charles also takes up his late mother's patronages of the Royal Ballet and Royal Shakespeare Company. The RSC said that in accepting the role of Patron for the company, King Charles "acknowledges his deep and long-held passion for Shakespeare."

Royal Ballet Director  KEVIN O'HARE said the organisation was "thrilled" and that his regular visits have been "a great honour for the company". He continued, "Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a deeply committed patron of The Royal Ballet, and we're delighted that His Majesty the King will continue this support.” 

Elizabeth II was also Patron of Royal Acadamy of Dance (RAD) from 1953 where Queen Camilla has been Vice-Patron since 2020. TIM ARTHUR, RAD's Chief Executive, said he was "truly delighted" Queen Camilla is continuing the patronship, adding that she had been "so supportive of our organisation, championing our programmes including Silver Swans, which is designed to encourage older people to dance."

DARCEY BUSSELL, President of the RAD, called the news "just wonderful". She continued: "HM Queen Camilla has been such an engaged supporter of the RAD for many years. Her patronage will make such a difference to the members of the RAD, and she will help encourage all generations to benefit from the many attributes of dance.”

Queen Camilla also takes on Queen Elizabeth II's patronage of the Royal Literary Fund (RLF), which delivers financial support for writers as well as education and outreach programmes across the UK.

EDWARD KEMP, Chief Executive of Royal Literary Fund, said: “The RLF is delighted that Her Majesty will be our new Royal Patron. With her well-known love for literature and passion for literacy, we very much look forward to engaging her in our vital work helping writers and readers.”

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