Our Royal Charter

In 2008 we celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the granting of our Royal Charter.

What is a Royal Charter?

At one time Royal Charters were the only means of incorporating a body but there are now other ways, such as becoming a registered company, so the granting of new Charters is comparatively rare. Only a ruling monarch can grant a Royal Charter.

When and why was the Charter granted to the British Red Cross?

Our first Royal Charter was granted by HM King Edward VII, patron of the British Red Cross, at a Privy Council meeting on 3 September 1908 and forms the basis for the British Red Cross as we know it today.

The fusion of these two bodies formalised fundraising and aid work and raised our profile across the British Empire.

Who was involved?

HM King Edward VII, patron of the British Red Cross from 1905 to 1911, granted the Royal Charter of 1908.

Queen Alexandra, president of the Red Cross from 1905 to 1925, signed the petition for the Charter before it was presented to the King.

Sir Frederick Treves, chairman of the Executive Committee from 1905 to 1912.

Lord Knutsford, member of the British Red Cross Council, was instrumental in drafting the Royal Charter.

Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, Lord Wantage, first chairman of the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War.

Has the British Red Cross received other Royal Charters?

A number of additions to the Charter have been made over the years as the financial operations of the organisation have changed. Supplementary Charters were granted in 1919 (to extend our activities to include a peacetime role) and 1998 (to bring our local branches together as one charity).

You can download the Royal Charter on the right side of this page.

How does our Royal Charter affect the British Red Cross’ activities today?

The Royal Charter is the governing document of the British Red Cross. It is legally binding and sets out our charitable purpose, powers, rules and other legal responsibilities. The Privy Council approves any amendments to the Royal Charter and the Charity Commission must be notified of any proposed amendments.

Alongside the Charter, we have Standing Orders which explain our internal governance arrangements for the workings of the board of trustees, finance committee and volunteer councils. Unlike the Charter, our Standing Orders are owned and amended by the board of trustees; however, they cannot contain anything that contradicts the Charter.

Find out more about our governance

Read about the beginning of the Red Cross Movement