FROM THE WEBSITE: Driven by a desire to make a difference together, The Royal Foundation is the primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Programmes currently revolve around four main themes of work; mental health, wildlife and conservation, young people and the armed forces community.
Focusing on projects that meet some simple criteria – they must reflect the interests and passions of our Principals; they bring about sustainable change to issues that matter to society; they are innovative; and they work in a way that only The Royal Foundation can make happen.
The Royal Foundation support these projects by using our Principals’ convening power to provide a neutral platform where charities and other organisations can work together.
The Royal Foundation is also very clear to set out a timeline for the life of the programme. If a new potential project meets the criteria it is researched and the most effective solutions explored, scaling when appropriate and ultimately handing the reins over to one of the partners or developing it in a way that makes it self-sustainable. The Invictus Games is one such programme, developed by The Royal Foundation, now successfully growing and run independently.
The Royal Foundation was legally established by The Princes in September 2009 and became fully operational in 2011, when The Duchess of Cambridge joined as a Principal Patron. Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex became the fourth Principal Patron following her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
INFORMATION:
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge became the 3rd Principal Patron in April 2011.
Charities that are supported by The Royal Foundation that you may see featured here:
Other Programs:
Mentally Healthy Schools: The Duchess of Cambridge launched the latest initiative from Heads Together to support children’s mental well-being in January 2018. ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’ is a website to give teachers and school staff the clarity and practical resources they need in order to support pupils. ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’is a free and easy to use website for schools, drawing together reliable and practical resources to improve awareness, knowledge and confidence in promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health. The content will be provided in four main areas; Teaching Resources, Risks and Protective Factors, Mental Health Needs, and ‘Whole School Approach’ for school leaders. Coordinated and financed by The Royal Foundation, ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’ has been developed by the youth-focussed charity partners of Heads Together; the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Place2Be and Young Minds. For More information visit MentallyHealthySchools.Org.Uk
EFFORTS:
July 09, 2011 – The Foundation Polo Challenge At The Santa Barbara Polo And Racquet Club – Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge celebrate after winning the game at the Foundation Polo Challenge at the Santa Barbara Racquet and Polo Club in Santa Barbara, California. The event benefits the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, a charity which supports disadvantaged children, conservation and sustainable development, veterans and military families.
January 08, 2012 – War Horse – UK Premiere -The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the UK Premiere of Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Horse’ at Odeon Leicester Square in London, England. The premiere was held in the aid of the Royal Foundation. War Horse is a film about a young man who enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. His journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on. Serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families attended the premiere, alongside beneficiaries of military charities, with which the Foundation works with. Servicemen and women from The Duke of Cambridge’s regiments, including RAF Search and Rescue, Household Cavalry, Irish Guards, Royal Air Force Coningsby, Scotland Royal Naval Command and Submarines Royal Naval Command also attended. Steven Spielberg said: “We are honoured to dedicate this event in aid of the Foundation which recognises the welfare of those who serve their country in the British Armed Forces.”
June 17, 2012 – ‘Expanding Horizons’ Primary School Outdoor Camp – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge interacts with schoolchildren at an ‘Expanding Horizons’ Primary School camp, taking part in various outdoor activities at the Widehorizons Margaret McMillan House in Kent, in Wrotham, England. The camping trip was organized by ARK Schools, which is supported in part by The Royal Foundation.
October 10, 2012 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Visits Newcastle – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge makes a visit to the CRI Stockton Recovery Service on in Stockton-On-Tees, England. Her Royal Highness talked to families who have benefited from Action on Addiction’s M-PACT programme, which was successfully introduced by CRI in Stockton. During her visit, the Duchess of Cambridge was also shown around the William Street facility and met with staff.
July 01, 2014 – Visiting Blessed Sacrament School – The Duchess of Cambridge and comedian John Bishop visited The Blessed Sacrament School in Islington to hear how the M-PACT Plus programme is progressing following its launch in 2013. The M-Pact Plus project was created and funded by the Royal Foundation and Comic Relief and is a major initiative to provide early support for children, parents and families affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse.
December 07, 2014 – New York City Tour – Day 1 – Set 2 – On Day One of their three day visit of New York City The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the American Friends of the Royal Foundation Dinner, hosted by British media and marketing executive Sir Martin Sorrell, at his home in Gramercy Park. The private dinner was expected to raise millions of dollars for The Royal Foundation from contributions from guests.
December 08, 2014 – New York City Tour – Day 2 – Set 2 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a conservation reception hosted at the British Consul General’s residence alongside former First Lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea. The reception was co-hosted by The Royal Foundation and the Clinton Foundation, in recognition of the work carried out by Tusk Trust and United for Wildlife partners Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy. The couple chatted with supporters of the charities during their visit.
April 22, 2016 – Visiting Willows Primary School – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge makes a visit to The Willows Primary School, Wythenshawe to launch a new school counseling program, M-PACT Plus in Manchester, England. Funded by Comic Relief and The Royal Foundation, the project will see Place2Be and Action on Addiction work in partnership to provide early support for school children affected by a parents drug or alcohol misuse.
December 12, 2017 – Attends ‘Magic Mums’ Christmas Party – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Rugby Portobello Trust’s Christmas party which included children affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, at its community centre in North Kensington. In 2017 The Royal Foundation established “Support4Grenfell”, an emotional support hub in north Kensington, to provide additional mental health resources for the community affected by the Grenfell fire. “Support4Grenfell” is also in partnership with Place2Be, The Art Room, Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish.
February 28, 2018 – First Annual Royal Foundation Forum – Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle attended the First Annual Royal Foundation Forum held at Aviva in London, England. Under the theme ‘Making a Difference Together’, the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation. The Duke and Duchess, Prince Harry Meghan Markle appeared on stage together to discuss why The Royal Foundation was set up, the projects they are currently working on, and their ambitions for the future. During the event, Their Royal Highnesses and Meghan also met with other forum attendees.
March 21, 2018 – Early Intervention For Children And Families Symposium – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attended a symposium she has organised on early intervention for children and families at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, England. Sir Simon Charles Wessely, President of the Royal Society of Medicine, Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive at The Anna Freud Centre and Lorraine Heggessey of the Royal Foundation were in attendance.
November 15, 2018 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit The BBC – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a previously unannounced visit to The BBC Broadcasting House in London, England. The couple visited the BBC to view the work the broadcaster is doing as a key member of Prince William’s Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying. The Cyberbullying Taskforce is part of The Royal Foundation and was launched in April 2016 during Anti-Bullying Week. During their visit the couple joined the BBC The One Show where they met students for a discussion on the upcoming Kids Online Wellbeing App. They also met with young people who wrote and performed in a new campaign video for “Stop Speak Support”, a youth-led code of conduct to provide guidance on what to do when they witness bullying online. The Duke of Cambridge also gave an impassioned speech about his concerns of cyberbullying and his fears that big companies aren’t doing enough to protect individuals. You can read his full speech here or watch it here.
February 13, 2019 – Attending ‘Mental Health In Education’ Conference – The Duchess of Cambridge attended the The Royal Foundation’s ‘Mental Health in Education’ conference, which brings together delegates from across the mental health and education sectors to work together to tackle mental health issues in schools. In 2018 Her Royal Highness launched ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’, a website which gives primary schools free access to the highest quality mental health resources, helping teachers better support their pupils’ mental health. The Duchess met with Head Teachers from some of these schools as well as joined a meeting to discuss the importance of Mental Health in Education training, and the challenges of implementation. Catherine also gave a few remarks which you can read here.
March 06, 2019 – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Blackpool – On a visit to Blackpool, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traveled to Blackpool Central Library where they met people who are involved in CECD Blackpool’s ‘A Better Start’ programme to talk about the impact of long-term investment in mothers, fathers and children in their early years. They also met with health visitors, and practitioners from the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Family Nurse Partnership.
May 07, 2019 – The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Launch The King’s Cup Regatta – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a previously unannounced visit to Cutty Sark, to launch The King’s Cup Regatta. The event coincided with the announcement that The Duke and Duchess will host the new annual sailing event in August on the Isle of Wight as well as go head to head as skippers of individual sailing boats in an eight boat regatta race, to raise awareness and funds for eight of their Patronages. The winning team will be awarded The King’s Cup, a historic trophy first presented by King George V at Cowes’ Royal Yacht Squadron in 1920. The Duchess’s chosen charities are Action on Addiction, Place2Be, The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and The Royal Foundation in connection with Her Royal Highness’s Early Years programme. During their visit The Duke and Duchess joined children from Place2Be in trying out sailing simulators and they also unveiled the King’s Cup. Upon their departure they took a moment to greet crowds in an impromptu walkabout.
August 08, 2019 – Inaugural King’s Cup Regatta – The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off the Inaugural King’s Cup Regatta at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The Royal couple went head to head in the regatta to raise awareness and funds for eight of their charitable causes. The Duchess skippered the boat representing her early years initiative with the Royal Foundation. Catherine’s other represented charities were Action on Addiction, The Anna Freud Centre, and Place2Be. Unfortunately, The Duchess of Cambridge received a wooden spoon as her boat came in last. Prince William gets the bragging rights as Bear Grylls accepted the trophy on behalf Prince William’s charity Tusk.
