The Royal Charter of the British Red Cross: purpose, powers, and legal framework

The Royal Charter is the legally binding, governing document of the British Red Cross. It forms the basis for the British Red Cross as we know it today.

We were first granted our Royal Charter more than 100 years ago by HM King Edward VII, patron of the British Red Cross, on 3 September 1908.

A number of additions to the Charter have been made over the years. Supplementary Charters were granted in 1919 (to extend our activities to include a peacetime role) and 1998 (to bring our local branches together as one charity).