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Royal Patrons of the QNI View the timeline of the royal patrons of the QNI

The Queen’s Nursing Institute was founded in 1887 during the Golden Jubilee year of Queen Victoria, and was originally called Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Institute for Nurses. Queen Victoria was the first Patron, and a queen has been patron of the charity ever since, though not necessarily the ruling sovereign.

View the timeline of patrons of the QNI since its foundation below.

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

Queen Camilla

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)