Battersea would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family as we join the nation in mourning the loss of our beloved Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our charity was fortunate to benefit from Her Majesty’s patronage and we will always be immensely grateful for the support she showed in our work.
Battersea Chief Executive Peter Laurie says, “The Royal Family has been closely connected with Battersea for well over a century and we feel incredibly honoured to have had The Queen’s patronage for 60 years. As a lifelong dog lover and supporter of many charities, The Queen will always occupy a special place in the hearts of all our staff and volunteers. Many of them have cherished memories of meeting Her Majesty during one of her visits to our centres. Battersea is so very fortunate to have had such a lasting, treasured relationship with Queen Elizabeth and we join the nation in mourning a much-loved and respected Monarch.”
Honoured to Have Had the Queen’s Patronage for 60 Years
Her Majesty The Queen became a Patron of Battersea on 18 May 1956 and was a tremendous supporter of Battersea over six decades. She helped ensure the charity’s vital work and contribution to society was fully recognised on a world stage. Only on her 90th birthday did The Queen step down her patronage of Battersea along with a number of national organisations.
Her Majesty Visits Battersea
Queen Elizabeth visited Battersea’s iconic rescue centre on two occasions to tour the facilities and meet Battersea staff, volunteers, and animals. Firstly, in February 1991 and again in March 2015. On her 2015 visit, Her Majesty, accompanied by Battersea’s President Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, opened the charity’s Mary Tealby kennels. These facilities play a vital role in supporting the rescue centre’s canine residents during their early days at Battersea.
The Queen also visited Battersea’s Old Windsor centre in April 1986. This was the first time a reigning Monarch had come to visit the iconic rescue centre. The Queen reportedly wanted to speak to as many staff as possible as she toured the facilities and met some of the charity’s dogs in their kennels.
