See the Royal Family Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the British Red Cross
It is widely known that the British royal family goes all out for birthdays. Today, however, marks a particularly special occasion—the 150th anniversary of the British Red Cross. For the big day, royals including the Queen, Prince Charles, Duchess Kate, and Princess Alexandra, released messages of support for the impactful organization, along with its staff and volunteers.
Founded in 1870, the British Red Cross is designed to help people in crisis, from natural disasters to wars to individual emergencies. The charity's network of volunteers aids vulnerable and at-risk people both in the United Kingdom and abroad. The British Red Cross has been especially valuable in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, by delivering food and medicine, offering welfare support to those isolating, aiding the NHS, and making sure refugees and people seeking asylum worldwide are in safe situations.
To celebrate the anniversary, each royal family member paid tribute in their own unique way. The Queen, who has been the charity's Patron for over six decades, sent a message of thanks to British Red Cross staff and volunteers, which you can read below.
Prince Charles, too, is involved with the organization, having acted as President since 2003. The Prince of Wales recorded an introduction to a new online exhibition, celebrating the British Red Cross's history. Also in the clip, the Prince thanks the charity's volunteers and details the history of royal involvement with the charity, dating back to Queen Victoria acting as the first Patron in 1870.
Duchess Kate has her own familial connection to the organization, as her grandmother and great-grandmother both served as Red Cross nurses. In honor of the anniversary, the Duchess sent a letter to 150 special Red Cross staffers and volunteers, nominated by the charity for their outstanding work. Each letter also included a special coin, created by the Royal Mint for the anniversary.
Finally, Princess Alexandra, the Queen's cousin and Deputy President of the Red Cross, personally called volunteer Anne Taylor. At age 87, Taylor is one of the charity's longest-serving volunteers, having worked with the Red Cross for 80 years, starting in 1940, during World War II. Taylor also received one of Kate's special letters.
Read the Queen's message of gratitude here:
As Patron of the British Red Cross I send my warmest congratulations to the staff and volunteers of the Society on the occasion of its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary.
Whether those involved in the Society are assisting people to return home from hospital safely, offering care and support in the aftermath of a disaster, volunteering in a shop, administering first aid or some of the many other activities the British Red Cross encompasses, their contribution is recognised, valued and greatly appreciated.
I send my heartfelt thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.
ELIZABETH R.
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