Tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Voluntary Service's Patron

"We are deeply saddened by Her Majesty The Queen’s passing and send our heartfelt condolences to her family.

"Her Majesty The Queen became Patron of Women’s Voluntary Service in 1952 a few months after she ascended the throne. Over the years she played a pivotal role in our history; visiting our services and in 2021, taking the time to meet and praise our volunteers on a zoom call for their invaluable support during the pandemic.

"Today Royal Voluntary Service continues to support people in need and the NHS. Her legacy of service will continue to inspire volunteers to give their time to their communities.

"As we mourn and adjust to the end of an era, we stand ready to offer our full support to King Charles III and the Queen Consort who has remained steadfast in her support as our President."

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service

The history of Her Majesty The Queen with Royal Voluntary Service

1952
Queen Elizabeth II becomes Patron of WVS.

1961
Her Majesty The Queen gives Royal Assent to the WVS Long Service medal.

1966
Her Majesty The Queen adds ‘Royal’ to the title of WVS creating the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service.

1975
Her Majesty The Queen visits Queen Elizabeth Close in Norwich, a new WRVS Housing Association development in Norfolk.

1994
Her Majesty The Queen visits Leicester Royal Infirmary. Hospital management asks WRVS florists shop staff to provide all the floral displays for the royal visit - including the Queen’s bouquet!

1995
Her Majesty The Queen meets WRVS members when she visits the WRVS Shop & Tea Bar in the foyer during the opening of the new surgery suite at Ayr Hospital.

1997
Her Majesty The Queen meets members of the WRVS Tea Bar during a visit to the South Tyneside Magistrates court.

1998
Her Majesty The Queen attends the WRVS 60th Anniversary Garden Party at Milton Hill, Oxfordshire (WRVS Head Office).

1999
Her Majesty The Queen meets WRVS members who cared for Kosovan Refugees during a visit of Manchester Airport.

2005
Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh host a reception at St. James’s Palace for WRVS.

2012
WRVS holds a reception at St. James’s Palace to celebrate the ‘Diamond Champions’ awards, created to celebrate volunteering in Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

2013
Her Majesty The Queen grants permission for WRVS to change its name to Royal Voluntary Service.

2021
Her Majesty The Queen undertakes a video call with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and four Royal Voluntary Service volunteers from the North-East of England to say thank you for their invaluable support throughout the pandemic.

Royal Voluntary Service Tribute Page

Her Majesty had a long history with our charity, and we recognise that some people may wish to commemorate the Queen by making a donation in her memory. Your donation will help us to support more people in crisis in hospitals and communities throughout Britain. On our tribute page you can also share a memory, or just light a candle.

Visit our Tribute to Her Majesty The Queen 1926 – 2022

For further information