The Duchess of Edinburgh has taken on one of Queen Elizabeth II’s former patronages.
Sophie is now patron of Girlguiding, a role held by Her Late Majesty for most of her historic reign.
Since 2003, the Duchess has been President of the organisation, taking on that role following the death of Princess Margaret who had held it for decades.
Girlguiding is the largest organisation in the UK dedicated solely to girls and young women to help empower them, find their voice and play a positive role in their communities.
In her role as President, Sophie often visited Girl Guides groups as well as meetings for younger members, known as Brownies and Rainbows.
The new Patron will be officially welcomed at a special event at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge this coming weekend which is focused on encouraging girls into science, engineering, technology and maths. As part of the event, the Duchess of Edinburgh will be part of a planned contact with the International Space Station.
As the role was announced, the Chief Guide, Tracy Forster, said ”Our vision is for an equal world where all girls can make a positive difference, be happy, safe and fulfil their potential. As a champion for gender equality and a passionate advocate for girls and women, The Duchess’s support is invaluable in helping us to make this a reality.”
Despite the change of patron, Girlguiding has also announced another important royal link. The Queen’s Award, currently the highest award in guiding, will retain its name as a mark of respect for Elizabeth II and to spotlight her legacy with the organisation. Queen Elizabeth II was its patron from 1953 until her death in 2022.
The link between the Royal Family and the Guides remains strong. The Duchess of Edinburgh was a Brownie in her youth while her daughter, Lady Louise, joined both the Brownies and the Girl Guides.
