The royals and the Red Cross: celebrating over 150 years of royal support

Exploring over 70 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's work with the British Red Cross, and a history of longstanding support from the Royal Family.

A long history with the Royals

When our organisation was founded in 1870, Queen Victoria became the charity’s first patron. Over time, various members of the family have been involved with Red Cross fundraising appeals and events, and raised awareness of our life-saving work.

Support from the Royal family remains strong today. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II championed our work for over 70 years, first as patron of the Junior Red Cross and later as patron of the British Red Cross when she ascended to the throne in 1952.

Throughout her life, she showed her enduring support for the work of the Red Cross and gave recognition to the contributions of our inspirational volunteers.

Visiting times:

Free exhibition, open from 6 June 2022

British Red Cross Museum, 44 Moorfields, London, EC2Y 9AL

To book a visit, email: museum@redcross.org.uk


Credits

Curator: Mehzebin Adam-Suter

Object photography: Jon Kempner

All images © British Red Cross Museum and Archives unless otherwise stated.


VIEW OUR ONLINE EXHIBITION

Exhibition highlights

The exhibition includes rarely seen photographs of the late Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family, medals awarded to volunteers, and objects connected to key events in our history. Scroll down to see some of the highlights from the exhibition or view the full online exhibition.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Over the years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II showed enduring support for Red Cross staff and volunteers - many of whom have met the Royals or have been given awards established or approved by the Royals to honour their bravery.

A black and white photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit a Red Cross conference, attended by hundreds of Red Cross nurses

Princess Elizabeth addresses our National Conference, 1945

Princess Elizabeth addresses the National Conference of British Red Cross Society youth members at Friends House.

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The Queen Elizabeth II coronation medal is among the many awards received by Florence Nightingale’s first cousin Olive Prentice, who was a Red Cross volunteer during both the First and Second World Wars. 1953. [link]

The Queen Elizabeth Coronation medal, 1953

This medal is one of many awarded to Florence Nightingale's first cousin - Olive Prentice - a Red Cross volunteer during both world wars.

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British Empire Medal awarded to Red Cross volunteer Gladys Morris. She also received a letter of congratulations from Her Majesty The Queen. 1959. [ink]

British Empire Medal awarded to Red Cross volunteer, 1959

This medal was awarded to Red Cross volunteer, Gladys Morris, along with a letter of congratulations from Her Majesty.

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Her Majesty The Queen visiting the British Red Cross National Headquarters, 1989

Her Majesty visiting the British Red Cross Headquarters, 1989

Her Majesty The Queen visited the British Red Cross head office for the first time in 1989. She talked to volunteers, staff and some of our service users.

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Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901)

Queen Victoria became the first patron of the National Society for Sick and Wounded (later renamed British Red Cross in 1870). She expressed her support, writing in a letter, 'Most sincerely does the Queen wish the Red Cross Society every possible success, and will be thankful for any future account.'

Queen Victoria lay the foundation stone for this hospital, which included a British Red Cross hutted hospital on the site. [link]

Queen Victoria visiting wounded soldiers, c.1900

Queen Victoria visits soldiers at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Netley during the Boer War. She laid the foundation stone for the hospital, which included a British Red Cross hutted hospital on site.

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Royal Red Cross medal, awarded to Red Cross volunteer Lady Katherine Weston Barker for her work during WW1.

Royal Red Cross medal, 1914 - 1918

Awarded to Red Cross volunteer Lady Katherine Weston Barker, for her work during WWI. The award was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1883 - one of the first British Military Orders soley for women.

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King Edward VII (1841 - 1910) and Queen Alexandra (1844 - 1925)

Following the reconstitution of the British Red Cross in 1905, King Edward VII became the patron and Queen Alexandra became the president. She signed the petition for the charity's first Royal Charter, which was granted by King Edward VII in 1908.

Flag sold to raise funds for the King Edward VII Hospital Fund appeal during WW1.

Flag sold to raise funds for the King Edward VII Hospital appeal during WWI

The hospital was established in 1899 at the suggestion of King Edward VII (then Prince of Wales). During the First World War, the hospital specialised in treating wounded soldiers.

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A postcard from 1914-1918 featuring Queen Alexandra.

Postcard featuring Queen Alexandra, 1914 - 1918

During WWI, Queen Alexandra issued an appeal to raise funds for the sick and wounded. The response was overwhelming: mansions were donated as convalescent homes, hospitals were offered and donations poured in.

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Queen Mary (1867 - 1953) and King George V (1865 - 1936)

King George V became patron in 1910 and Queen Mary took on the role of president in 1925. in 1919, the King granted a Supplementary Charter to the Red Cross, so it could also carry out peacetime work.

A decorative vase selected by Queen Mary at the British Industries Fair for sale at the Red Cross Bazaar, 1918.

Decorative vases chosen by Queen Mary for the Red Cross Bazaar, 1918

To help the relief work of the Red Cross during WWI, Queen Mary like other Royal Family members, gave generous gifts to raise funds for the sick and wounded.

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Princess Mary inspecting a group of VADs, 1929

Photograph showing Queen Mary and King George visiting VAD hospital in Torquay, 1915

In addition to donations of gifts and funds, the King and Queen showed their support for the Red Cross by visiting hospitals to meet volunteers and patients.

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Princess Mary (1897 - 1965)

Princess Mary was an active supporter of the British Red Cross from the age of 17. During WWI she visited hospitals, worked as a VAD at the Great Ormond Street Hospital and established the Princess Mary gift fund.

Princess Mary inspects a group of VADs, 1929

Princess Mary inspecting a group of VADs, 1929

With her keen interest in nursing, Princess Mary became the first commandant-in-chief of British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachments in 1926.

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Mantel clock being presented by Princess Mary to the British Red Cross when it opened its National Training Centre in Barnett Hill in 1946.

Mantel clock presented by Princess Mary, 1946

Princess Mary presented us with the mantel clock when the British Red Cross  opened its National Training Centre in Barnett Hill in 1946.

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King George VI (1895 - 1952) and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900 - 2002)

In 1936, King George VI was granted patronage of the British Red Cross while Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) became the president.

MBE and letter of congratulations from the King to Red Cross volunteer Miss Freda Turner, 1946

MBE and congratulations letter from the King to Red Cross volunteer, 1946

Both were awarded to Red Cross volunteer, Ms Freda Turner. The King and Queen gave the Red Cross immense support and encouragement during the second world war.

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Key used by Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) at the opening ceremony of Barnett Hill Red Cross House in 1944.

Key used by Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother), in an opening ceremony, 1944

Queen Elizabeth used the key during an opening ceremony of Barnett Hill Red Cross House in 1944. The house was used as a convalescent home during WWII.

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Princess Alexandra (1936) and Princess Diana (1961 - 1997)

Princess Alexandra started her work with the Red Cross as patron of the Junior Red Cross in 1954. She took on the role of Deputy president in 1998 - a position she still holds today. Princess Diana became patron of the Red Cross Youth in 1983 and Vice president of the Society in 1993.

Princess Alexandra greeting Red Cross volunteers, 1959.

Princess Alexandra greeting Red Cross volunteers, 1959

Princess Alexandra has undertaken many engagements with the Society, visiting projects across the UK and lending her support to national fundraising events.

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Princess Diana with a landmine survivor.

Princess Diana with a landmine survivor, 1997

Some of Princess Diana's most notable humanitarian work was around anti-personnel mines. She famously travelled to Angola in 1997 - a trip organised and supported by the Red Cross. 

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Catherine, Princess of Wales (1982)

During our 150th anniversary, the Princess of Wales (Duchess of Cambridge at the time) wrote to 150 outstanding staff and volunteers to thank them for their inspiring work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kate Middleton photographed waving.

Catherine, Princess of Wales 

On our 150th anniversary, Catherine, Princess of Wales (Duchess of Cambridge at the time) wrote: "I would like to thank the many thousands of staff and volunteers who have contributed tirelessly to the organisation's work."

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WW1 volunteer record card for Olive Middleton

WWI volunteer record card for Olive Middleton

The Princess of Wales' great-grandmother, Olive, was one of the 90,000 British Red Cross volunteers who worked tirelessly to care for the sick and wounded in WWI.

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King Charles (1948)

His Majesty has been an active supporter of the Red Cross for many years. As HRH Prince of Wales, His Majesty was appointed president of the charity in 2003 in succession to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Prince Charles greet volunteers in Wales.

Prince Charles meets volunteers after the Grenfell fire, 2017

This photograph shows Prince Charles meeting British Red Cross volunteers who were supporting people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

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Prince Charles meeting British Red Cross volunteers after the Grenfell disaster in London.

Prince Charles meets Red Cross volunteers in Wales, 2020

Prince Charles visited Pontypridd in Wales after floods had affected people in the area. He greeted Red Cross volunteers during his visit.

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