1887: The QNI is founded
1887 to 1901
Her Majesty Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria’s reign saw the creation of modern nursing services in the United Kingdom and beyond, including the beginning of organised district nursing in 1859. She held formal reviews for the Queen’s Nurses of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, including at Windsor Castle in 1896.
1901 to 1925
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra
Queen Alexandra, the Consort of King Edward VII, was not only Patron of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Institute, she was also the first President of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, which she helped to establish in 1902.
1925 to 1953
Her Majesty Queen Mary
Queen Mary, the Consort of King George V, had a lifelong interest in nursing. Her daughter, Princess Mary, served as a nurse during World War I. The Earl of Athlone, Queen Mary’s brother, served as the President of the Institute for many years and was succeeded in that office by his widow, Alice, Countess of Athlone.
1953 to 2002
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother became Patron of the Institute on the death of Queen Mary in 1953 and filled the role for almost fifty years. She presented Long Service badges to Queen’s Nurses at an annual gathering.
2002 to 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II, the fifth Patron of the QNI, approved the reintroduction of the Queen’s Nurse title in 2007 and welcomed QNs to Buckingham Palace garden parties and other events. In 2022, her Diamond Jubilee year, the QNI presented her with the Gold Badge of the institute, its highest honour.
2024
Her Majesty Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla became the sixth Patron of the QNI in May 2024, a year after the Coronation, following a review of royal patronages.
(Photo credit: Hugh Burnand)
