King gives royal boost to Norwich Cathedral
His Majesty King Charles III is to become patron of the Friends of Norwich Cathedral, following in the footsteps of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who was previously patron of the charity.
The Friends received confirmation of His Majesty’s patronage in a letter from Buckingham Palace this week.
It follows a review of royal patronages conducted by the Royal Household following His Majesty The King’s accession.
Charles Barratt said: “As Chairman of the Friends of Norwich Cathedral, I am absolutely delighted on behalf of all the Friends that the honour of Royal Patronage will continue into our 95th year. It is so appropriate as we approach our centenary celebrations.”
The Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “Norwich Cathedral is honoured and delighted that His Majesty The King has accepted the patronage of the Friends of Norwich Cathedral. The historic and close ties between the Royal Family, Norfolk and the Cathedral are something we celebrate. His Majesty’s patronage is a huge encouragement for the Friends in all they do to support the Cathedral.”
Founded on 18 February 1930, the Friends is an independent charity which was set up to raise funds to help maintain Norwich Anglican Cathedral’s fabric. Over the last nine decades the charity has supported everything from the building of the Hostry and Refectory to restoration work in the Cloister to the rebuilding of the Cathedral’s organ.
The Friends currently have more than 1,800 members and everyone who joins the Friends of Norwich Cathedral plays an important part in helping to preserve and improve the fabric of the Cathedral for future generations.
The Friends have been honoured to have royal support since the organisation first began, with the Friends’ first annual report in 1930 stating that His Majesty King George V had given his approval and, along with other members of the Royal Family, had offered support for the Friends.
In 1950, His Majesty King George VI and Her Majesty The Queen became patrons of the Friends, and later their daughter, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accepted the patronage.
Norwich Cathedral welcomed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II three times during her reign: in May 2010 for the official opening of the new Refectory and Hostry, on Maundy Thursday in April 1996 as part of the Cathedral’s 900th anniversary celebrations and in April 1975 for the opening of the Cathedral’s then visitor centre. Prior to becoming Queen, the then Princess Elizabeth visited Norwich Cathedral in 1951 as part of a tour of the city.
For more information about the Friends of Norwich Cathedral, visit www.cathedral.org.uk
Pictured above, inside the Norwich Cathedral Cloisters are some of the Friends of the cathedral. Picture by Bill Smith/Norwich Cathedral.