His Majesty, The King has announced his patronage of Norfolk Wildlife Trust following a review of Royal patronages conducted by the Royal Household after His Majesty's accession to the throne.  

Norfolk Wildlife Trust had previously been proud to receive patronage from Queen Elizabeth II from 1952 until 2022, the year of her passing. 

As The Prince of Wales, His Majesty has had a long association with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, visiting both NWT Hickling Broad and Cley Marshes nature reserves during his childhood followed by an official visit to Cley Marshes in 1996 to open improved visitor facilities at the popular coastal nature reserve. 

Alice Liddle, Chair of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, says: 

“His Majesty has become well known as a visionary environmentalist and has dedicated more than 50 years to championing the UK's response to the nature and climate crises. Here in Norfolk, he delivers large-scale conservation projects in and around his Sandringham Estate including planting trees and hedgerows as well as creating woodlands and wetlands, setting a great example of how nature can be integrated into a working and productive landscape. 

“A remarkable naturalist, an inspiring leader, and a champion of wildlife, His Majesty has consistently advocated for nature's recovery in the UK. Norfolk Wildlife Trust is honoured that he has chosen to continue Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's legacy by becoming our patron.” 

His Majesty, The King also announced his continued patronage of The Wildlife Trusts national movement.  

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says: 

“For more than half a century, His Majesty has been at the forefront of raising awareness and calling for action to tackle the global environmental crisis. From his first landmark speech about the environment in 1970, to becoming Patron of The Wildlife Trusts in 1977, to initiating countless breakthrough environmental initiatives, right through to his internationally acclaimed speech at the UN climate summit in Dubai last autumn, His Majesty has consistently demonstrated foresight, courage and leadership as he has helped communities, charities and businesses grapple with the challenges and opportunities inherent in living more sustainably and in harmony with Nature.   

“It is therefore a great honour that His Majesty has agreed to continue with his Patronage of The Wildlife Trusts. We are very grateful for his support, and the message it sends about the importance of conserving and restoring our precious wildlife.”  

ENDS 

High resolution images  

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Contact information: 

Rachael Murray, Norfolk Wildlife Trust PR & Communications Manager / rachaelm@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk / 01603 598330 / 07471 487647 

NOTES TO EDITORS  

1. Norfolk Wildlife Trust was established in 1926 and now manages over 50 nature reserves and other protected sites around the county including ten kilometres of coastline, nine Norfolk broads, nine National Nature Reserves and five ancient woodlands.  We seek a sustainable environment for people and wildlife: where the future of wildlife is protected and enhanced through sympathetic management; and people are connected with and inspired by Norfolk's wildlife and wild spaces. 

Editor's notes 

Half a century of support for The Wildlife Trusts from HM The King 

• In April 1977, the former Prince of Wales accepted the invitation to become the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts' Patron.   
• In July 1978, His Majesty announced his intention that proceeds from the Royal Premier of Watership Down would be donated to The Wildlife Trusts. This was the beginning of decades of support for the Trusts. 
• In 1985, the former Prince of Wales launched The Wildlife Trusts' first national appeal, the British Wildlife Appeal, at the Natural History Museum in London. With the backing of his Majesty and Sir David Attenborough, the appeal raised in excess of £16 million for wildlife.   
• In 1990, His Majesty announced that the use of peat would be banned in the gardens of his home at Highgrove and any landscape projects within the Duchy of Cornwall in support of The Wildlife Trusts' Peatlands Campaign.  
• In 2013, His Royal Highness launched Coronation Meadows to honour the 60th year of the late Queen's accession to the throne. In the face of the catastrophic loss of 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the plan was to create new and restored meadows using donor seed from remaining fragments of ancient and traditional meadows. 101 new meadows have now been created thanks to the scheme including some in Norfolk. 
• In 2023, His Majesty launched Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature to encourage people and communities across the United Kingdom to grow food and help wildlife recover by growing food and creating space for nature in gardens, on balconies and in shared greenspaces.