The RCGP has announced King Charles as its new royal patron.
RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne described it as ‘an honour’ and ‘a testament to the hard work of our GP members and their teams’.
The announcement was made to mark the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
It followed a Buckingham Palace review of more than 1,000 royal patronages and charity presidencies, including those involving the late Queen Elizabeth.
The RCGP has a long association with the royal family. The previous Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was RCGP president from 1972-73 to mark the college’s 20th anniversary. He then became patron until his death in 2021. He officially opened the college’s headquarters in London’s Euston Square in 2014.
The King, when he was Prince of Wales, also served as president of the RCGP for one year from 1991-1992 to mark its 40th anniversary.
Prof Hawthorne said: ‘We are delighted that His Majesty The King has chosen to be our patron and look forward to working with him to highlight the excellent contribution that general practice makes to the NHS.’
Photo credit: Alamy
