Queen Elizabeth II - 1926 - 2022

It is with great sadness that we learned the news of the death of our Royal Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022.

The Royal connection with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society dates back to 1932 and the Society’s Archive contains correspondence between HM Queen Mary and Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich, and Lord James Murray which relate to the publications of the Society.

In 1946 The Scottish Country Dance Society petitioned HRH The Princess Elizabeth to become the Society’s Patron. The Petition was acceded on the 20th December, 1946.

In November 1951 HM King George VI granted permission to the Society to use the prefix “Royal” to its name and from then the Society has been known as the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Following the death of the King and her accession to the throne in 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was pleased to grant her Royal Patronage to the Society.

Her Majesty had a life-long and committed association with Scottish Country Dancing, inherited no doubt from her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who was also an enthusiastic supporter of the work of the Society. This enthusiasm for Scottish Country Dancing continued and grew through the years of Royal Patronage, and Her Majesty attended many functions connected with the Society, including a visit to the Society’s Headquarters in Coates Crescent in 1961 and dancing at the Jubilee Ball in 1973.

Over the years, many dances have been composed in Her Majesty's honour and to celebrate Royal events. For example, in 2003 the Society published Book 43 filled entirely of dances to mark the occasion of the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Our sadness at this time is shared by members across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the service given by Her Majesty.

We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.