Since becoming a member of the Royal Family in 2011, Catherine, The Princess of Wales (The Duchess of Cambridge), popularly known as Kate Middleton, has become the Patron of charities and organization that runs causes close to Catherine’s heart – Art, History, Sports, Young People and Child care, Mental Health. The Princess has fewer patronages so that she can work closely with all the charities and organizations while raising her young family. Patronages are not for a lifetime, they are usually for a few years and then reviewed again. Apart from these organisations and charitable institutes, The Princess of Wales also holds a couple of Military titles and honours. Let’s have a look at them:
Action for Children
Action for Children runs over 400 projects for some of the UK’s most vulnerable and excluded children and young people. Catherine took the patronage in 2016 December. Founded in 1868, the charity supports vulnerable and neglected children and young people, and their families, throughout the UK. They help with family support, foster care, adoption, child neglect, and disability respite therapy.
Action on Addiction
Established in 2007 after merging three addiction charities Action on Addiction, the Chemical Dependency Centre, and Clouds – Action on Addiction is a charity that takes action to disarm addiction through research, prevention, treatment, family support, professional education, and training. The charity has treatment and rehabilitation facilities across England.
The Duchess of Cambridge took the patronage of Action on Addiction on January 05, 2012. It was one of Catherine’s first patronages. In 2021 The Action on Addiction got merged with Forward Trust and The Princess of Wales became the patron of Forward Trust.
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
The Princess of Wales took over the patronage of All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from Her Majesty in December 2016 when she was The Duchess of Cambridge. All England Club is the tennis club where the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament is held every year. It is located in Wimbledon. The Princess, an amateur tennis player, supports the club’s initiative to promote tennis among youngsters.
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
The Anne Freud Centre is a UK children’s mental health charity. The Centre offers a wide range of services i.e. therapy, support, and training to children, families, and schools. They provide training for mental health professionals and carry out research.
Anna Freud Centre’s mission is to transform the experience of children, young people, and their families with mental health issues by carrying out research, developing and offering services, teaching, and training. The Duchess of Cambridge is the patron of the Anna Freud Centre since February 17, 2016.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices
One of the dearest patronages of The Duchess of Cambridge (The Princess of Wales), East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) is a charity that supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. They provide care and support wherever the family wishes (in families’ own homes, in a hospital or at one of their hospices in Ipswich, Milton and Quidenham). Catherine granted her patronage to EACH on January 05, 2012.
Evelina London Children’s Hospital
The Duchess of Cambridge became the patron of Evelina London Children’s Hospital on December 11, 2018. Evelina London Hospital is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, of which The Queen is a Patron. Evelina London cares for children and young people from before birth, throughout childhood, and into adult life. The hospital provides a range of services to children across south London and south-east England. Evelina London also provides community services for children and their families in Lambeth and Southwark.
Family Action
The Duchess of Cambridge took the patronage of Family Action in December 2019. The patronage was in line with her work in the Early Year Intervention. Her Majesty the Queen has passed the patronage to Catherine having held the role for over 65 years. Her Majesty took the patronage over from Queen Mary in 1953.
Established in 1869, Family Action helps families in difficulty by giving them practical help and support. The charity works with over 45,000 families through over 140 community-based services. Thousands more are supported with financial assistance through education and welfare grants programmes.
Forward Trust
The Princess of Wales became the patron of The Forward Trust in 2021. Action on Addiction was one of Catherine’s earliest patronages that merged with the Forward Trust in 2020. The merged charities have joined forces to strengthen their ability to meet increased demand for help arising from lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to continue their mission to support families and children impacted by addiction in order to end the cycle of harm. At the time of accepting the patronages of Forward Trust, Catherine said,
I am delighted that The Forward Trust and Action on Addiction have taken this bold step to join forces and help more people, families and children to overcome addiction. I have had the privilege of being a Patron of Action on Addiction for nine years, and have seen the work of The Forward Trust at HMP Send on several occasions.
I am continually struck by the passion, expertise and commitment of the staff and volunteers, and indeed it was the conversations I had with individuals and families affected by addiction that have been a major driving force in my ongoing work on early childhood. With the link between early childhood trauma and addiction later in life becoming more widely understood, it is more important than ever that we focus on these issues so that we can create a happier, healthier, more nurturing society.
Foundling Museum
The Duchess of Cambridge became Patron of the Foundling Museum in March 2019. The Duchess has a longstanding interest in both the arts and supporting vulnerable families, and this patronage will further highlight the beneficial impact that art and creativity have on emotional well-being.
The Foundling Museum tells the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and public art gallery. The Foundling Hospital, which continues today as the children’s charity Coram, was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram to care for babies at risk of abandonment.
Maternal Mental Health Alliance
The Princess of Wales became the patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance in May 2022. The Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), established in 2011, is a UK-wide charity and network of over 100 organizations, dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal mental problems have access to high-quality comprehensive care and support. This new patronage is on par with The then Duchess of Cambridge’s ongoing work on Mental Health and Early years.
National Portrait Gallery
For a History of Art graduate, The Duchess of Cambridge, National Portrait Gallery patronage was a sort of must-have. The National Portrait Gallery was penned in 1896 and features portraits of the most famous people in British history. Catherine undertook the patronage on January 05, 2012. Duchess as its patron supports the gallery’s education and outreach programs.
Natural History Museum
The Duchess of Cambridge announced the patronage on April 19, 2013. The Natural History Museum’s vision is to advance their knowledge of the natural world, inspiring better care of our planet. The Museum that holds the world’s largest natural history collection works with a mission to maintain and develop its collections, and use them to promote the discovery, understanding, responsible use and enjoyment of the natural world.
NHS Charities
The Duchess of Cambridge became the joint patron of the NHS Charities with the Duke of Cambridge in December 2020 during the Royal Train Tour. There are more than 240 NHS charities across the UK and most of them focus on helping our hospitals do more. Collectively these charities give £1 million every day to the NHS so that people can stay well for longer and get better faster. The NHS Charities plays an important role in mobilising volunteers to support NHS staff, brightening wards and waiting areas with colourful and engaging art and building an important link between hospitals and communities.
Place2Be
Place2Be works in schools providing early intervention mental health support, without stigmatizing children, young people, or families and at a point where they need it most. The patronage was announced on April 19, 2013. The Charity currently supports over 200 schools nationwide by providing schools with trained counsellors and therapists to work with children, parents, teachers, and other school staff.
An interesting fact is The Duchess of Cambridge (The Princess of Wales) had organized events to raise funds for Place2Be even before marrying into the royal family. One of them was the 80s-themed charity roller disco in 2008 at a London nightclub where she famously wore a green and yellow sparkling dress.
SportsAid
SportsAid helps the sports stars of tomorrow, and today by giving them cash awards during the defining early years of their careers. Another cause that has been part of Catherine’s life long before she became royal. The Duchess of Cambridge became the patron of SportsAid on April 19, 2013.
The 1851 Trust
The 1851 Trust inspires and engages a new generation in the sport of sailing, providing them with the skills and training to become the innovators of the maritime technology of the future. The Princess of Wales is the patron of trust since October 13, 2014. The trust was founded by Sir Ben Ainslie Racing to inspire, educate and promote young people of age 25 and under coming from diverse backgrounds (disabilities, foster care, bereavement, depression, bullying, poor economic background, etc.) to get involved with sailing and the marine industry.
The Lawn Tennis Association
The Duchess of Cambridge became the patron of the Lawn Tennis Association the governing body of tennis in the UK, that promotes the sport of tennis through funding training, competitions and facilities in December 2016 when she overtook the patronage from Her Majesty. The association works to promote tennis by supporting clubs, coaches, tournaments, etc., developing tennis programs, and creating initiatives to get more people to start playing Tennis.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is a professional association founded in 1929 for people working in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. The association includes both people with and without degrees in medicine. The association was granted its royal charter in 1947 and the Queen Mother became its patron. The Duchess of Cambridge took the patronage of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on February 27, 2018, in support of children’s mental health and early intervention.
The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales
Driven by a desire to make a difference together, The Royal Foundation is the primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle for The Prince and Princess of Wales. The primary focus of the foundation is Armed Forces, Conservation, Mental health and Young People. The foundation was established in 2009 to foster collaboration between charities supported by Prince William and Prince Harry. The Duchess of Cambridge (Now The Princess of Wales ) became the royal patron upon her marriage to Prince William. Her formal inclusion was performed in June 2012.
The Royal Photographic Society
Catherine became the patron of The Royal Photographic Society in June 2019. She was made an honorary member of the society in January 2017. The Queen has passed the patronage to the Duchess after having held the role for 67 years. The Royal Photographic Society is one of the world’s oldest photographic societies. It was founded in 1853 with the objective of promoting the art and science of photography, and in the same year received Royal patronage from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Society has over 11,000 members and runs an extensive programme of more than 500 events throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.
The Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, became the patron of the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union in February 2021. The RFL and RFU are the national governing bodies that develop and promote the sport in the country. About the new patronage, Kensington Palace said,
The patronage, which has been given to The Duchess of Cambridge by Her Majesty The Queen, closely aligns with Her Royal Highness’ long-standing passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both within our communities and on an individual level. The RFL was established in 1895 and is the national body for Rugby League in the UK, a game for 13 players to a team.
The Scout Association
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, became the President of the Scout Association in September 2020. Catherine is the first woman to hold the post in the movement’s 113-year history. The Scouts Association was a Her Majesty’s patronage and her cousin, The Duke of Kent, holds the Presidency. A country girl at heart, Catherine herself was a member of the Girl Rising during her school years. After her wedding in 2011, The Duchess of Cambridge started volunteer work with the scouts in the Angelsey in 2012 where Prince William was posted at that time. The Duchess has been a constant champion for young people and has been working to highlight the benefits of being outdoors.
The Victoria and Albert Museum
With a mission to be recognised as the world’s leading museum of art, design, and performance, and to enrich people’s lives by promoting research, knowledge and enjoyment of the designed world to the widest possible audience The V&A Museum holds over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity of different mediums: architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance, is another one of Catherine’s passion. The Duchess of Cambridge is the first royal patron of the Victoria and Albert museum and took the patronage in March 2018.
Woman’s Solo Trek Across Antarctica
The Princess of Wales became the patron of ‘Woman’s Solo Trek Across Antarctica’ in October 2022. The British army officer and physiotherapist, Preet Chandi, is attempting to be the first woman of colour to complete the first-ever ‘Woman’s Solo Trek Across Antarctica’ -a 1,000-mile journey.
About the patronage, Kensington Palace said, “The Princess of Wales is delighted to be the patron of the mission as an advocate of the huge impact the outdoors can have on our well-being and the life skills it nurtures, such as confidence and resilience. She is committed to promoting this to young people, including through her work with organisations such as the Scouts, of which she is joint President. Preet’s historic expedition is the pinnacle of such activity and that is why The Princess is delighted to have been invited to be Patron”
Military Honours and Title:
Colonel of Irish Guards
King Charles III appointed The Princess of Wales Colonel of the Irish Guards in December 2022. Catherine took over the role from her husband The Prince of Wales, William, who had been the Colonel of the regiment since 2011. The Princess has been presenting the shamrocks to the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade since 2012.
The Air Cadet Organisation
Kensington Palace
The Duchess of Cambridge took over the role of the Air Cadet Organisation in 2016 from Prince Philip who was the patron for 63 years. Youth aviation organization sponsored by the Royal Air Force in the UK.
Foreign Honours and Titles:
Tuvalu Order of Merit
The British Monarchy Flickr
The Tuvalu Order of Merit is an order of merit of Tuvalu. Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were nominated by the Government of Tuvalu and approved by the Queen in October 2016.
Previous Patronages:
100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance, previously known as 100 Women in Hedge Funds, is a global not-for-profit association that aims to empower women in the industry through educational, peer engagement, and philanthropic initiatives. As part of their UK philanthropic efforts, since 2010, 100WF has worked with the Charities Forum of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to support one of the Forum’s charities each year.
100WF runs a global initiative that aims to inspire the next generation of young women to explore a career in the financial sector. HRH The Countess of Wessex is the Global Ambassador of this initiative. The Duchess of Cambridge became the patron of the initiative with the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry in January 2013. The patronage ended in 2019.
Nursing Now campaign
The Nursing Now campaign aims to raise the status and profile of nursing for 3 years. Run by the Burdett Trust in collaboration with the World Health Organization and International Council of Nurses, Nursing Now seeks to empower nurses to take their place at the heart of tackling 21st Century health challenges.
The Duchess of Cambridge became the patron on February 27, 2018, and on the same day, she launched the campaign. The campaign is founded on the basis of the 2016 Triple Impact report stating that empowering nurses would help to improve health globally, gender equality and build stronger economies. The Campaign was supposed to end in 2020 but due to the pandemic and the campaign’s impact it lasted until May 2021.
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