King Charles unveils new patronage with special link to late Queen Elizabeth
King Charles has shown his support for firefighters and their families with his new charity role.
King Charles has become patron of The Fire Fighters Charity - a role previously held by the late Queen Elizabeth.
The 75-year-old monarch accepted the position following a review of more than 1,000 patronages by the Royal Household, which concluded earlier this month.
The organisation, which offers health and wellbeing support to the UK's fire services community, said the King's appointment marks the continuation of a longstanding relationship with the Royal Family.
His late mother was patron of the charity for 69 years, having taken on the patronage of the then-Fire Services National Benevolent Fund in 1953.
The organisation changed its name to The Fire Fighters Charity in 2008.
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The late Queen was devastated in 1992 when her beloved royal residence Windsor Castle went up in flames, destroying 115 rooms including the vast medieval St George's Hall.
Two hundred firefighters pumped gallons of water from the Thames to tackle the blaze and the monarch and Prince Andrew even helped to rescue priceless works of art from the Royal Collection.
The Prince of Wales, 41, also has close ties with the charity, which has worked with his Royal Foundation.
Last year William supported the launch of a new 24/7 crisis line, to directly address suicide amongst present and past fire service personnel.
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And in 2019 he visited the charity’s centre in Chudleigh, Devon, to mark Emergency Services Day and hear about the support it provides to members of the UK's fire services and their families.
Sherine Wheeler, chief executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, said: "The patronage of the late Queen, over almost seven decades, reflected the high regard in which our fire and rescue services - and those who work for them - are held by the Royal Household.
"So, I am delighted that we can continue to honour this legacy under the patronage of His Majesty The King.
"We extend our deep gratitude to him for his continued support and dedication to our work to ensure all those in the fire and rescue services community live healthy and happy lives."
