Skip to navigation

Barnardo's and royalty

The first 100 years

The first recorded interest in Barnardo's by a member of Royalty was in 1884 when their Serene Highness the Prince and Princess of Weid attended the annual meeting of the Homes. The annual meeting in January was to become a major publicity and fundraising event attended by members of the Royal family, who received purses from fundraising groups.

In 1896, HRH Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck opened Babies Castle, Hawkhurst Kent. The Princess was accompanied by her daughter Princess Mary Victoria (later Queen Mary) who was to become a lifelong supporter and later, as Queen Mary, Patron of the Homes for 40 years. In March 1909 as Princess of Wales she took tea at Stepney Causeway (then headquarters of the Homes) and during a prolonged visit inspected every nook and cranny. The following year the Girls Village Home at Barkingside received a gift of two spinning wheels that went on view to the public. Over the years Queen Mary was a frequent visitor to the Founder's Day fete at Barkingside, and Barnardo's girls bound for Australia visited Buckingham Palace for a farewelling. When King George V celebrated his silver Jubilee in 1935 Barnardo's received 100 seats on a stand outside Buckingham Palace from which the children had a first class view of the procession.

On the death of Edward Vll Queen Alexandra, Patron from 1902 until 1925, received a wreath of lilies and roses made by girls in the Village and paid for out of their pocket money. Girls in the Village made lace handkerchiefs as a wedding present for HRH Princess Marina (Duchess of Kent) in 1934. A girl trained as an embroideress by Barnardo's helped prepare the Duchess of Kent's trousseaux as well as that of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. When HRH Princess Margaret married in 1960 she received a wooden coffee table and fruit bowl made by boys at the William Baker Technical School, Hertford.

The late Queen Mother's links with Barnardo's go back to 1924 when as Duchess of York, she received, at White Lodge, Richmond, a group of girls sailing for Australia. Three years later, accompanied by our then President the Duke of York, she visited several of our homes in New South Wales. On her Coronation in 1937 a group of boys from one of our Sea Training Schools had a place of honour on Constitution Hill. Over the years she visited many of our services at home and overseas.

The late HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon's long association with Barnardo's began when as a 14-year-old she became President of the National Young Helpers' League (since amalgamated into the Barnardo's Helpers League). The Princess became President of Barnardo's in 1948. During her 40 years association with the charity she opened many new buildings and supported events and appeals with enthusiasm.

Princess Margaret resigned as President in 1984 and joined HM The Queen (1984), and HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as Patron. The Princess resigned as Patron in 1993. As a thank-you for 40 years of service HRH The Princess Margaret was guest at a Royal Ball at Blenheim Palace in November 1984. At the Princess's request the event was a fundraising function and raised more than £15,000.

  • Send to a friend
  • Printable version
  • Skip to top