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Fact Sheet: Royalty and the JWO |
- The Royal family have always been closely involved with the work of the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. Queen Victoria granted the Order of St. John (the parent body of St. John Ambulance) a royal charter in 1888, and HM The Queen is the current Sovereign Head. HRH The Duke of Gloucester is the Grand Prior of the Order, while HRH The Countess of Wessex is the Grand President of St. John Ambulance, and HRH The Princess Royal Commandant in Chief. The British Red Cross received a Royal Charter in 1908, and today the Queen is Patron.
- During World War Two, the Royal family reached the height of their popularity due to their compassion for the lives of people affected by war. They often chose to stay in London during the worst of the Blitz and spent hours visiting military units, civil defence workers, factories, farms and hospitals. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mother to the current Queen) also visited many bombed out homes, which boosted morale amongst the thousands of people living in cities and affected on a daily basis by bombing raids.
- The Royal family also lent their support by promoting fundraising campaigns. Sales and auctions were also held. Queen Mary donated a diamond and sapphire brooch at the first sale at Christies in 1940.
- The Duke of Gloucester’s Red Cross and St John Appeal was launched in September 1939 and became the largest charitable fund of its day. By 1946 numerous fundraising events had raised nearly £50 million.
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