In a tacit admission that at the age of 90 not even our longest-reigning monarch can continue with her phenomenal workload, the Queen is to hand over 25 of her patronages to younger members of the royal family.
The Duchess of Cambridge is to become patron of Wimbledon tennis — officially the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club — and Prince Harry, a rugby fan, becomes patron of the Rugby Football Union.
Patronages are also being taken on by the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and other members of royalty.
The announcement, a rare public admission that in her tenth decade the Queen is slowing down, came on the day that she and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted their traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Guests included, for the first time, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
The palace statement said: “Her Majesty is currently patron of more than 600 organisations and has enjoyed a close and active association with a great number of them throughout her reign. Her Majesty will continue to serve as patron to hundreds of charities and institutions but will now share this work with her family.”
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It is clear, however, that the Queen will continue to work far harder than would be expected of any other 90-year-old. “It is a common-sense, practical shift,” a royal aide said. “The Queen is 90 years old and the programme is paced and adjusted accordingly. By doing this one is managing a gradual change in an elegant and appropriate way.”
If the precedent set by the Duke of Edinburgh is anything to go by it is unlikely that most people will spot any difference in the number of public duties undertaken by the Queen, although her engagements have become less onerous in recent years and involve less travel.
Prince Philip handed over a number of patronages when he turned 90 five years ago, but a recent examination of the Court Circular showed that he was as busy as ever. Last year he carried out more public engagements than William, Kate and Harry combined.
The patronages being handed over represent some of the Queen’s oldest and most high-profile commitments. She has been patron of Wimbledon since 1952, and was there when Virginia Wade won the ladies’ singles in 1977. Her last visit to the championships was in 2010.
Only a limited number of the organisations involved, including the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the Royal School of Needlework, were able to announce which royals were taking over from the Queen.
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The new appointments reflect the interests of the younger members of the royal family. Prince Harry is the new patron of both the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League, and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, takes over at the Welsh Rugby Union. The Duke, who played water polo at school and university, will also become patron of the Amateur Swimming Association.
The Duchess of Cambridge is a keen tennis player — the couple have a court at their home in Norfolk — and has made regular appearances in the royal box at Wimbledon.
The Duchess of Cornwall, who is currently president of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, takes over as patron. The Countess of Wessex becomes patron of the NSPCC and the Princess Royal takes over at the Royal Geographical Society.
Who is getting what:
Prince of Wales Royal Institution of Great Britain; Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust; Holocaust Day Memorial Trust
Duchess of Cornwall Barnardo’s
Duke of Cambridge Amateur Swimming Association; Welsh Rugby Union
Duchess of Cambridge All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club; Lawn Tennis Association
Prince Harry Rugby Football Union; Rugby Football League
Duke of York Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund
Princess Royal Royal Geographical Society
Countess of Wessex NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)
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Who might get what:
Duchess of Cornwall Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Duchess of Cambridge Action for Children
Princess Royal Save the Children UK
Yet to be announced:
Royal School of Needlework
Royal African Society
British Science Association
Blind Veterans UK
Edinburgh International Festival
Sport and Recreation Alliance
British Cycling Federation
Institution of Civil Engineers
Animal Health Trust