RNLI Announces King Charles III as Its New Patron

Photo: His Majesty The King on a visit to the RNLI College in 2021 – Credit: RNLI

In a significant announcement, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has named His Majesty King Charles III as its new Patron, succeeding his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

This marks a continuation of a long-standing tradition that dates back to the charity’s inception in 1824, with King George IV as its first Patron.

A Royal Legacy Continued

The RNLI’s Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, expressed immense pride in welcoming King Charles as the new Patron, especially during the charity’s 200th anniversary year. He highlighted the significance of this partnership as the organisation looks back on its historic journey and forward to a promising future.

Decades of Dedication

King Charles has a long-standing association with the RNLI, evident from his numerous visits and engagements with the institution over the years. Notable among these was his visit to the St Ives RNLI Lifeboat Station in July last year alongside Queen Camilla. This visit was part of their first official trip to Cornwall after the Coronation.

A month before this, Mark Dowie presented King Charles with five trees at The Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury development. These trees, from the RNLI’s award-winning garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022, were donated as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy project.

Royal Engagements with the RNLI

King Charles’s first interaction with the RNLI dates back to 7 July 1964 when he accompanied The Prince Philip and HRH The Princess Royal to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. This early engagement set the stage for his lifelong commitment to supporting the lifesaving charity.

His hands-on involvement includes piloting a B-3 inflatable lifeboat in 1971 and joining the volunteer crew aboard a Rother class lifeboat in 1977. His activities have not only been about naming lifeboats but also about participating in their journeys and understanding their operations intimately.

Honoring The Duke of Edinburgh

In a touching tribute to Prince Philip’s naval career, during a 2021 visit to the RNLI College in Poole, King Charles attached a magpie-engraved waterline plate to a lifeboat named in honor of Prince Philip. This lifeboat, named the Duke of Edinburgh, is now operational, serving to save lives at Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk.

A Future of Lifesaving Leadership

With the formal approval of his patronage by the RNLI Trustee Board, King Charles III is set to steer the charity into its third century. Under his patronage, the RNLI looks forward to a continuation of royal support and leadership in its mission to save lives at sea.

This royal patronage not only reflects a personal commitment but also signifies a generational dedication to the RNLI’s lifesaving mission, ensuring that the charity remains a pivotal part of the UK’s maritime safety framework.