His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh became Patron of The College of Teachers in August 2010.

An important part of the work of the Royal Family is to support and encourage public and voluntary service. One of the ways in which they do this is through involvement with charities and other organisations. About 3,000 organisations list a member of the Royal Family as patron or president. The Duke of Edinburgh has over 700 patronages.

The practice of members of the Royal Family lending their names to organisations through formal patronages is thought to have existed since the 18th century.

The first recorded patronage was George II’s involvement with the Society of Antiquaries, an organisation concerned with architectural and art history, conservation and heraldry. The society still exists today and retains its Royal patronage through The Duke of Gloucester’s involvement.

Other organisations have enjoyed a long history of Royal association.

Patronages generally reflect the interests of the member of the Royal Family involved.