His Majesty The King to retain patronage of Heritage Crafts

Following His Majesty The King’s Accession in September 2022, a major review of more than 1,000 Royal Patronages and charity Presidencies has been undertaken. To mark the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation, the outcome has today been shared, with Heritage Crafts amongst the charities to be retained.

As HRH The Prince of Wales, His Majesty has been President of Heritage Crafts since 2013, and in 2020 initiated the President’s Award for Endangered Crafts, won most recently by straw hat maker Lucy Barlow. Lucy is using her £3,000 prize to equip her workshop with period machines so that she can teach machine sewing of straw plait into hats, finding ways to bring the skill to future generations and involve more diverse communities. The 2024 Award is currently open for nominations.

Members of the Royal Family are proud to maintain close associations with more than 1,000 charities, military organisations, and professional and public service bodies, both in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth. Royal patronage highlights the vital work of these organisations and allows their many achievements and valuable contributions to society to be more widely recognised and promoted.

Daniel Carpenter, Executive Director of Heritage Crafts, said:

“Few have demonstrated as long-standing and unwavering dedication to the continuation of heritage craft skills as His Majesty, and as Patron of Heritage Crafts his ongoing support will contribute greatly to ensuring that this lineage of skill remains available to future generations, helping them gain fulfilling livelihoods and tackle the challenges of tomorrow.”

Over 1,000 different patronages were reviewed carefully and individually as part of the review. A recommendation based on the history of Royal connection, the organisations’ prominence in their field, and how they align with themes of His Majesty’s work, was then put to His Majesty for agreement.