King Charles has become the new Royal Patron for national art charity Art Fund.

Marking the first anniversary of the Coronation, The King has accepted this new patronage previously held by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II since 1952.

The organisation was established by Royal Charter in 1906. King Edward VII became the first Royal Patron of the charity, following a National Art Collections Fund (as the charity was formerly known) public campaign to buy Diego Velzquez’s The Rokeby Venus for the National Gallery.

The painting is currently on display at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool as part of the National Gallery in London’s 200th anniversary celebrations.

King Charles will take up similar duties to the late Queen, who had attended the opening of the charity’s own exhibition ‘Saved! 100 Years of the National Art Collections Fund’ in 2003 at the Hayward Gallery in London.

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund, said: “I am delighted and deeply honoured to welcome The King as our Royal Patron. At Art Fund we have been championing museums for 120 years and have been fortunate to enjoy Royal Patronage throughout that period.

“In 2008 His Royal Highness played a crucial role alongside Art Fund to save Dumfries House in Ayrshire for the nation. With His Majesty’s deep commitment to arts and heritage – including the generous loans of masterpieces from the Royal Collection to be enjoyed by museum visitors nationwide – he is an invaluable ambassador for the UK’s art and culture.”

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