His Majesty King Charles III announced as Patron of the Royal College of Music

Wednesday 8 May 2024

We are honoured that King Charles III has chosen to become Patron of the Royal College of Music (RCM), continuing his longstanding relationship with the College.  

Professor Colin Lawson, Director of the Royal College of Music, comments: ‘We are delighted that King Charles has become Patron of the Royal College of Music, following three decades as an active President. Our Global No. 1 position in Music and Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings 2022-24 remains a source of great pride, making us a natural first choice for talented students internationally.’ 

Since its foundation in 1883 by the Prince of Wales, later Edward Vll, the Royal College of Music has been linked with the Royal family.  The College’s connection with The King, formerly HRH The Prince of Wales, spans more than 30 years, reflecting his dedication to arts and music. He became President of the College in 1993, following Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and has visited the RCM on many occasions meeting students and staff, conferring honours to renowned musicians, and in 2021 he officially opened the Royal College of Music’s suite of new facilities. 

The announcement of The King’s Patronage marks the first anniversary of his Coronation, a momentous occasion that featured Royal College of Music students, alumni and staff invited to perform as part of the occasion and take their place in history. RCM alumnus and Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey, Andrew Nethsingha, directed five new commissions in the Coronation service, while alumni and composers Tarik O’Regan and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote new music for the service. RCM students were also invited to perform at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in a specially created performance to celebrate King Charles III’s Royal Patronages.  

King Charles III is well known for his love of the arts and music. In the 2024 New Year Honours List, members of the Royal College of Music community received recognition including Victoria, Lady Robey HonRCM, Judith Weir FRCM and Sir Antonio Pappano HonDMus, as well as alumni including Laurence Cummings and Margaret Fingerhut and the next Director of the College, James Williams.  

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