Our Former Patron
 His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay

In March 2019 we were delighted and honoured that His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, kindly agreed to take on the Patronage of the Swandro-Orkney Coastal Archaeology Trust. The work of the Trust, and in particular our current research excavation investigating both the archaeology and the processes of erosion at the multi-period site at the Knowe of Swandro in Rousay, brought together two of His Royal Highness' interests. The Prince had long campaigned to raise awareness of the dangers of global warming and climate change, and read archaeology and anthropology as a Cambridge undergraduate. 

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Following His Majesty The King’s Accession, the Royal Household conducted a review of Royal Patronage covering over a thousand organisations of which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was Patron and those organisations to which The King and Queen were connected through Patronage or Presidency as The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as The Former Prince of Wales and as The Former Duchess of Cornwall. This review ended in May 2024 and sadly it was not possible for His Majesty the King to retain the Patronage of Swandro-Orkney Coastal Archaeology Trust. The letter notifying us of the decision also noted that The King and Queen continue to take a close interest in the work of former Royal patronages, and sent their warmest good wishes for the future.

 

The Swandro-Orkney Coastal Archaeology Trust are extremely grateful for the support of our former Patron and wish Their Majesties a long and happy reign.