The practice of members of the Canadian Royal Family giving their patronage to Canadian organizations stems from that which started in the United Kingdom in pre-industrial times, when all development of the sciences and arts were under the direct control of the monarch and exercised by the foundation of colleges that today form the basis of modern universities. Today, royal patronage is a ceremonial function wherein the royal person will either volunteer their time for service or make charitable donations, in order to help bring recognition to the group's achievements and to the contributions of different sectors of public life.Buckingham Palace: The Monarchy Today: Queen and Public: Charities and Special Associations
Any organization may apply for royal patronage, via the Office of the Governor General; however, to receive the honour, an organization must prove to be long lasting and have aims and objectives that will earn the approval of the person from whom patronage is requested. Also, patronage is typically granted to athletic, artistic, cultural, or charitable organizations; rarely to corporate or for-profit companies. Some charities and volunteer organizations have been founded as gifts to, or in honour of, some of Canada's monarchs or members of the Royal Family, such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (a gift to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897), the Canadian Cancer Fund (set up in honour of King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935), and the Queen Elizabeth II Fund to Aid in Research on the Diseases of Children.
King Charles III King Charles III is the patron of the following organizations:
Canadian Warplane Heritage MuseumCanadian organizations with Royal Patronage Royal Hamilton Yacht Club Canadian Businesses for Social Responsibility Regina Symphony OrchestraRegina Symphony Orchestra: The Prince of Wales to be Royal Patron of the RSO; September 4, 2008 Willowbank School of Restoration Arts The Royal Conservatory of Music
Prince Andrew, Duke of York Prince Andrew was the patron of the following organizations, until returning these patronages to the Queen in 2022:
Canadian Canoe Museum (2006–2019) Canadian International Air Show Lakefield College School (as Trustee) Maple Bay Yacht Club ( -2019) Royal Victoria Yacht Club ( -2019) Royal United Services Institute of Alberta Friends of Lakefield College School ( -2019) Robert Trent Jones Scholarship Foundation
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Edward is the patron of the following organizations: Globe Theatre (Regina, Saskatchewan) The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Young Canadians Challenge Charter for Business (as Honorary Chairman)
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh The Duchess of Edinburgh is the patron of the following organizations: New Haven Trust Toronto General Hospital Spruce Meadows, One of the top show jumping venue in the World (as Royal Patronage)
Anne, Princess Royal Princess Anne is the patron of the following organizations:
Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Emerging Leaders' Dialogue Canada (as President) Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy Princess Alexandra is the patron of the following organizations:
Civilian Friends of the Osborne and Lillian H. Smith Collections
Military
Royal Canadian Military Institute (as Colonel-in-Chief)
Viceroys The viceroys are the patrons of the following organizations:
New Brunswick Royal New Brunswick Rifle Association Royal United Services Institute of New Brunswick (Honorary)
Ontario Civilian Royal Canadian Institute Royal Ontario Museum Royal Botanical Gardens
Military Royal Canadian Military Institute
Former patronages
Queen Elizabeth II
Before her death in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the following organizations:
Civilian
Canadian Cancer Society Canadian Medical Association Canadian National Exhibition Association Canadian Nurses Association Canadian Red Cross Society Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Federated Women's Institutes of Canada Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire Queen's Plate Royal Agricultural Winter Fair of Toronto Royal Alberta Museum Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Royal British Columbia Museum Royal Canadian Humane Association Royal Canadian Legion Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Royal Manitoba Winter Fair Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Royal Saskatchewan Museum Royal Winnipeg Ballet Save the Children Canada St. John Ambulance St. John's-Ravenscourt School Toronto French School
Military
Royal Canadian Air Force Benevolent Fund Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund Navy League of Canada Royal Canadian Naval Association Royal Canadian Air Force Association
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Civilian OrganizationPositionCanadian Club of TorontoPatronMassey College, TorontoSenior FellowRoyal Nova Scotia Yacht SquadronPatronUpper Canada CollegeVisitorRoyal Canadian Yacht ClubPatronRoyal Society of CanadaHonorary FellowCanadian Medical AssociationHonorary MemberRoyal St. Lawrence Yacht Club of MontrealPatronRoyal Vancouver Yacht ClubPatronRoyal Montreal Curling ClubHonorary Life MemberCanadian Power & Sail SquadronsPatronCanadian Aeronautics and Space InstitutePatronDawson City Museum and Historical SocietyPatronCanadian Curling AssociationPatronOutward Bound Trust, CanadaPatronVancouver Rowing ClubPatronUpper Canada College CampaignPatronBritish Railway Modellers of North AmericaHonorary MemberCanadian Power SquadronsPatronCollege of Family Physicians of CanadaHonorary MemberEngineering Institute of CanadaHonorary MemberFondation de la Faune du QuébecHonorary Life MemberLoyal Canadian Prince ClubHonorary MemberPorcupine Rod and Gun ClubLife MemberSouth Saskatchewan Wildlife AssociationHonorary Life MemberToronto ClubHonorary Life MemberToronto Press ClubHonorary MemberUniversity Club of MontrealHonorary MemberVancouver Racquets ClubHonorary MemberWorld Affairs CanadaPatronCanadian Cutting Horse AssociationPatronCanadian Water Ski Association – now named Water Ski & Wakeboard CanadaHonorary PatronBrant Wildlife FestivalPatron
Military
OrganizationPositionNaval Officers' Association of CanadaPatronHMCS Discovery Wardroom Life MemberRoyal Canadian Naval Sailing Association Honorary CommodoreRoyal Canadian Regiment AssociationPatronSeaforth Highlanders of Canada Officers' MessLife Member
Queen Alexandra Queen Alexandra is the patron of the following organization: Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children
See also List of Australian organisations with royal patronage List of New Zealand organizations with royal patronage List of Irish organizations with royal patronage List of UK organisations with royal patronage List of Canadian organizations with royal prefix Colonel-in-Chief: Canadian Forces Monarchy of Canada
References
External links List of Canadian organizations with Royal patronage - Heritage Canada List of civilian organizations with the prefix "Royal" prepared by the Department of Canadian Heritage