List of organisations in the United Kingdom with a royal charter facts for kids

A royal charter is a special document given by the King or Queen. It's like an official permission slip or a special badge of honor for an organization. When an organization gets a royal charter, it means the monarch has officially recognized it. This often gives the organization special rights or a unique status.

Many important groups in the United Kingdom have received a royal charter. These include universities, charities, and professional bodies. There are more than 900 organizations in the UK with a royal charter. The Privy Council Office keeps a list of all these groups.

This list shows some of the organizations in the UK that have a royal charter. It also includes the year the charter was first given. Sometimes, a charter might be updated or renewed, so you might see more than one date.

What is a Royal Charter?

A royal charter is a very old and special document. It is signed by the King or Queen of the UK. This document officially creates an organization or gives it special powers. It's a bit like a very important certificate.

Why are Royal Charters given?

Charters are usually given to organizations that are important to the public. These groups often work for the good of the country. They might be involved in education, science, or helping people. Getting a charter shows that the monarch supports their work. It also gives them a high level of prestige and trust.

What kind of organizations get them?

Many different types of organizations have royal charters. These include:

• Universities: Like University of Cambridge or University of Oxford. A charter helps them grant degrees.
• Professional Bodies: Groups for specific jobs, like engineers or doctors. They set standards for their profession.
• Charities: Organizations that help people, like the British Red Cross.
• Companies: Some very old and important businesses.

Some Famous Organizations with Royal Charters

Many well-known organizations have received a royal charter. Here are a few examples that you might recognize:

• Bank of England: This is the central bank of the UK. It helps manage the country's money.
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC): The BBC is a huge public broadcaster. It provides TV, radio, and online news. It has had its charter renewed many times since 1927.
• British Red Cross: This charity helps people in emergencies and disasters. They received their charter in 1908.
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI): This amazing charity saves lives at sea. They rescue people from shipwrecks and other dangers.
• The Scout Association: This group helps young people develop important skills. They learn about teamwork and outdoor activities.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA): This charity works to protect animals from harm. They received their charter in 1840.

Alphabetical List of Organizations

This section lists some of the organizations that have a royal charter. The year next to them shows when their charter was granted. Remember, this list is not complete.

A

B

C

D

• Duchy of Cornwall (1337)

E

F

G

H

I

J

• The Jockey Club

K

L

M

N

O

• The Open University (1969)

P

Q

• Queen's University of Belfast (1908)

R

S

T

U

V

• Venerable Order of Saint John (1888)

W

See also

• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
• List of organisations based in the Republic of Ireland with royal patronage
• List of professional associations in the United Kingdom