Our Royal Patron
We are honoured that, in May 2024, His Majesty King Charles III has accepted the Patronage of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
The King will be the Society’s second Royal Patron, succeeding The late Queen Elizabeth II, who was Patron of the Society from 1947, as HRH Princess Elizabeth until her death in 2022. The title "Royal" was bestowed by King George VI in 1951, the year before the late Queen's accession to the throne.
Chair of the RSCDS William Williamson said ‘His Majesty The King, like the late Queen, has always expressed his affection for Scotland and its culture. With this news we look forward to his continued interest in the life of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. I hope you will, when the opportunity arises, raise a glass to our new Patron and the future of our Society.’
The RSCDS expresses deep gratitude to The King for his ongoing support of the Society and for assuming the role of Patron.
Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
In 1947, HRH Princess Elizabeth became the Patron of the Scottish Country Dance Society and graciously continued as the Patron of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society for the remainder of her life (the title "Royal" having been bestowed by King George VI in 1951, the year before her accession to the throne).
As an organisation with Royal patronage, the RSCDS took part in the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations, on Sunday June 12th 2016. The Patron's Lunch, which was attended by 10 RSCDS members, was the highlight of a fantastic weekend celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Pictured above are members of the RSCDS with HM The Queen at Holyrood Palace in 2016. In attendance is John Wilkinson (past Chairman of the RSCDS), Ruth Beattie (past Chairman of the RSCDS), and one of our highly skilled demonstration teams.
