A Royal Patron provides support and vital publicity for the work that an organisation does, as well as promoting this to others.
The awarding of a Royal Patronage recognises the National Galleries of Scotland’s ‘enormous’ achievements and contributions to society in Scotland.
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Home to Scotland’s art collection, the National Galleries of Scotland has three galleries in Edinburgh. At the National, Modern and Portrait galleries, visitors can discover treasures from Botticelli to Titian, modern art, famous faces and contemporary portraits of pop culture icons, and the largest collection of Scottish art in the world.
The Royal Patron announcement comes following a series of successes for the National Galleries of Scotland. 2023 was a record-breaking year with over 2.4million visitors across all three sites, illustrating a return to pre-pandemic levels. The National saw its highest ever visitor numbers with over 1.8million visitors, driven by blockbuster exhibition Grayson Perry: Smash Hits and the opening of the Scottish galleries. One year since the Scottish galleries opened, over a million people have explored the 12 spaces dedicated to showcasing the very best historic Scottish art.
Benny Higgins, Chairman of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that King Charles III has accepted the Royal Patronage of the National Galleries of Scotland. His Majesty has consistently shown his support for the arts and has demonstrated a deep appreciation for the value that art offers to everyone in Scotland.”
Anne Lyden, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “It’s wonderful that His Majesty, the King is now our Royal Patron. It’s a real honour and a recognition of the positive work we do to care for Scotland’s amazing art collection, and to provide our country with free access to the very best art, events and exhibitions. We look forward to His Majesty’s support as we continue our mission to make art work for everyone.”
