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British RoyalsKing Charles III

Prince of Wales becomes first UK patron of International Rescue Committee

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales has been named the first UK patron of the International Rescue Committee.

“We’re delighted to have the support of His Royal Highness in our mission to improve the lives of people affected by conflict and crisis,” said Laura Kyrke-Smith, the UK Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee in a statement on the Committee’s website.

“The Prince of Wales has a longstanding interest in the IRC’s work, for example the provision of education and business skills training to people who have been forced to flee their homes, so that they can build a better future.”

The Chair of the UK Board of the International Rescue Committee, Sir John Holmes, said that they lead “vital work across Europe to raise awareness of critical issues affecting displaced people around the world as well as the important role of women and girls to shape and lead their communities.

“It is a great fillip to our work to have His Royal Highness’s support.” The International Rescue Committee’s UK base was opened in 1997.

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall visited a project supported by the International Rescue Committee last year in Berlin. They met with refugees who learn job training skills through ‘jobs4refugees’ with counselling and German-specific job market tips.

“The visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess was a great surprise for me!” said Marziyeh, an Iranian refugee in a blog post about their visit in May 2019.

“I know them both only from television and the news, and I was very excited before the workshop session today. They were so nice and laughed a lot. I really enjoyed the visit.”

The International Rescue Committee was founded in 1933 and currently operates in over 40 countries. Formed at the request of Albert Einstein, the organisation “helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their lives.”

The Committee also “responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.”

The International Rescue Committee’s press release stressed that Prince Charles will help the organisation with his “deep commitment to IRC’s priorities, from women’s protection and empowerment to emergency response and supporting refugees through education and training.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.