This is a list of Canadian organizations with royal patronage. The practice of members of the Canadian Royal Family giving their patronage to Canadian organizations stems from that which started in the United Kingdom in pre-industrial times, when all development of the sciences and arts were under the direct control of the monarch and exercised by the foundation of colleges that today form the basis of modern universities. Today, royal patronage is a ceremonial function wherein the royal person will either volunteer their time for service or make charitable donations, in order to help bring recognition to the group's achievements and to the contributions of different sectors of public life.[1]
Any organization may apply for royal patronage, via the Office of the Governor General; however, to receive the honour, an organization must prove to be long lasting and have aims and objectives that will earn the approval of the person from whom patronage is requested.[2] Also, patronage is typically granted to athletic, artistic, cultural, or charitable organizations; rarely to corporate or for-profit companies. Some charities and volunteer organizations have been founded as gifts to, or in honour of, some of Canada's monarchs or members of the Royal Family, such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (a gift to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897), the Canadian Cancer Fund (set up in honour of King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935), and the Queen Elizabeth II Fund to Aid in Research on the Diseases of Children.
King Charles III is the patron of the following organizations:
Prince Andrew was the patron of the following organizations, until returning these patronages to the Queen in 2022:[5]
Prince Edward is the patron of the following organizations:
The Duchess of Edinburgh is the patron of the following organizations:
Princess Anne is the patron of the following organizations:
Princess Alexandra is the patron of the following organizations:
The viceroys are the patrons of the following organizations:
Before her 2022 death, Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the following organizations:
| Organization | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Club of Toronto | Patron | |
| Massey College, Toronto | Senior Fellow | |
| Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron | Patron | |
| Upper Canada College | Visitor | |
| Royal Canadian Yacht Club | Patron | |
| Royal Society of Canada | Honorary Fellow[14] | |
| Canadian Medical Association | Honorary Member | |
| Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club of Montreal | Patron | |
| Royal Vancouver Yacht Club | Patron | |
| Royal Montreal Curling Club | Honorary Life Member | |
| Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons | Patron | |
| Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute | Patron | |
| Dawson City Museum and Historical Society | Patron | |
| Canadian Curling Association | Patron | |
| Outward Bound Trust, Canada | Patron | |
| Vancouver Rowing Club | Patron | |
| Upper Canada College Campaign | Patron | |
| British Railway Modellers of North America | Honorary Member | |
| Canadian Power Squadrons | Patron | |
| College of Family Physicians of Canada | Honorary Member | |
| Engineering Institute of Canada | Honorary Member | |
| Fondation de la Faune du Québec | Honorary Life Member | |
| Loyal Canadian Prince Club | Honorary Member | |
| Porcupine Rod and Gun Club | Life Member | |
| South Saskatchewan Wildlife Association | Honorary Life Member | |
| Toronto Club | Honorary Life Member | |
| Toronto Press Club | Honorary Member | |
| University Club of Montreal | Honorary Member | |
| Vancouver Racquets Club | Honorary Member | |
| World Affairs Canada | Patron | |
| Canadian Cutting Horse Association | Patron | |
| Canadian Water Ski Association – now named Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada | Honorary Patron | |
| Brant Wildlife Festival | Patron |
| Organization | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Officers' Association of Canada | Patron | |
| HMCS Discovery Wardroom | Life Member | |
| Royal Canadian Naval Sailing Association | Honorary Commodore | |
| Royal Canadian Regiment Association | Patron | |
| Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Officers' Mess | Life Member |
Queen Alexandra is the patron of the following organization: