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The Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia has announced some heavyweight royal backing, with the United Kingdom’s His Majesty King Charles III accepting patronage of the organisation.
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The announcement continues the RSL’s long association with the monarchy following on from the more than 70-year patronage of the league by the King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
RSL National president Greg Melick said the league was delighted that King Charles had accepted the invitation to become patron.
“The RSL was recently advised of King Charles’ acceptance following a review of more than 1,000 patronages held by the late Queen and the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall,” he said.
“Australia’s veteran community greatly values our royal connection and looks forward to King Charles’ continuing interest in and support for veterans’ affairs.
“I am sure RSL members will join with me in welcoming King Charles’ patronage.
“Australian Defence Force personnel played an important role in King Charles’ coronation just one year ago, recognising our prominence in the Commonwealth and our strong association with the monarchy. This association will continue with the King now the patron of the RSL.
Earlier this month, His Majesty King Charles III also became a patron of The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) on 13 May.
"We were delighted to receive notification that His Majesty King Charles III has accepted the patronage of The Royal Life Saving Society. This news is wonderful for the society recognising the valuable drowning prevention work of the society and its 32 members throughout the Commonwealth,” a society spokesperson said.
“It will also maintain the link between the reigning monarch and the society which was established in 1904. We are very grateful to His Majesty for this display of support.
“His Majesty is no stranger to the RLSS having, as Prince Charles, achieved his bronze medallion.”
In addition to the two organisations, King Charles III will retain patronage of British Armed Forces mental health charity Combat Stress.
“We are immensely proud to announce that His Majesty King Charles III has chosen to retain his patronage of Combat Stress,” the organisation said.
“It follows a review of more than 1,000 Royal patronages by the Royal Household following the King’s accession in September 2022.
“King Charles’ patronage means that the Royal Family has continuously supported Combat Stress for more than 80 years. The King became our patron as the Prince of Wales in 2003 following the death in 2002 of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who had served as our patron for 60 years.
“Through his patronage of Combat Stress, the King has taken a keen and active interest in supporting our work to provide specialist mental health treatment to former service personnel with military-related trauma.”
