His Majesty King Charles III has become the Patron of the Royal Medical Foundation of Epsom College. The news was announced to mark the first anniversary of His Majesty’s Coronation, and means the College is proud and honoured to have received unbroken royal patronage since its foundation in 1855.
Lord Carlile, President of the Royal Medical Foundation, says: “I am thrilled by the news that His Majesty has agreed to become our Royal Patron. This validation of the excellence and purposes of the College is something to spur us into even greater achievements.”
Queen Victoria became our first royal patron, and the intervening years have seen every reigning monarch honour the College with their patronage.
The decision by King Charles to succeed Queen Elizabeth as our patron is a particular honour for the College, as Buckingham Palace has undertaken a major review of many of the royal patronages following the King’s accession in September 2022.
Karen Thomas, Chair of the Royal Medical Foundation, says: “On behalf of our whole community, I am absolutely delighted that King Charles III has agreed to be our patron. This will maintain the continuity of royal patronage that was established by Queen Victoria in 1855 when the College was opened by her consort Prince Albert and their 13-year-old son, who would later become King George V. We are proud and respectful of our history but I believe that the King would also recognise our ambition to look to the future with purpose and an intention to act in the best interests of all.”
