Although Prince William is currently focusing on his military career he wants to show his support for organisations that reflect issues he cares about both in the UK and abroad.
To further their charitable work, in 2009 Prince William and Prince Harry created their own Foundation to focus on supporting issues that they both care about.
The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry has three main aims: helping young people in society; raising awareness and support for servicemen and women; and developing sustainable models of living in the light of climate change and dwindling natural resources.
In September 2005, Prince William became Patron of Centrepoint, the UK’s leading homelessness charity. This was the Prince’s first Patronage and reflects his long-standing interest in homelessness and the people affected by it. His mother Diana, Princess of Wales was Patron of the charity. The Prince has worked with Centrepoint on a number of occasions in the last few years and slept rough in London with a group of young homeless people and Centrepoint staff to highlight the issue in the run-up to Christmas.
In December 2005, Prince William became Patron of the Tusk Trust, a conservation charity based in the UK which aims to secure a peaceful co-existence for Africa’s wildlife and its people. Prince William was impressed by the work of the charity after seeing it first-hand during a private visit to Africa. In June 2010 Prince William visited Botswana with his brother Prince Harry on their first joint overseas tour. Their Royal Highnesses visited an Education Centre on the Mokolodi Nature Reserve to engage with some of the 12,000 Botswana Children who are learning about environmental conservationism through ‘outdoor classroom’ projects.
In May 2006, Prince William became President of the Football Association, the governing body of English football, taking over from his uncle, The Duke of York. Like his brother Prince Harry, Prince William is a keen sportsman. He played for his house football team at Eton and for Sunday league teams during his four years at St. Andrews University. He is an Aston Villa supporter. The Prince is keen for children to participate in community football programmes and has expressed his wish to get more children involved with football.
Prince William visited South Africa in 2010 on behalf of the FA to support England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He and Prince Harry also watched the match between England and Algeria during the 2010 World Cup.
In May 2007 Prince William became President of the Royal Marsden Hospital, a position previously held by Diana, Princess of Wales. The Prince has visited the hospital a number of times, and in December 2005, undertook two days of work experience there. Prince William helped out in a variety of departments, including medical research, catering, and fundraising, as well as visiting a number of wards, including the Children’s Unit.
Also in May 2007 Prince William became Patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and The English Schools' Swimming Association. These patronages reflect Prince William's interest in youth sport and, in his own words, his desire to "highlight and celebrate the vital, selfless and courageous work of our mountain rescue organisations".
In September 2008 Prince William became Patron of A Positive View 2010, a landmark exhibition and charity auction. The event, which took place in March and April 2010, showcased some of the best international iconic photography produced since 1809. The exhibition included a specially commissioned diptych - two pictures that should always be shown together - comprising of a photo of Prince William taken by former homeless man Jeff Hubbard, and a photo of Jeff Hubbard taken by Prince William.
In January 2009, Prince William and Prince Harry became Joint Patrons of the Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, which supports schools in Uganda, and was set up in memory of a school friend.
In February 2009, Prince William became Patron of Skill Force. The charity primarily utilises the skills of former members of the Armed Forces to run life skills courses for disadvantaged young people. Link to video?
In January 2010, as part of his tribute to his grandmother The Queen, Prince William became Patron of The Queen Elizabeth II Fields, an initiative run by Fields in Trust to protect and create hundreds of playing fields throughout the UK in honour of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The Prince is keen to support the project given that ready access to playing fields has shown to help community cohesion, reduce anti-social behaviour and improve health and wellbeing – all areas to which Prince William is committed through his existing patronages.
Patronages
100 Women in Hedge Funds' Philanthropic Initiatives
Patron (from 1/1/2010)
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The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
President (from 21/02/2010)
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Centrepoint
Patron (from 13/09/2005)
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The Child Bereavement Charity
Patron (from 12/03/2008)
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The English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA)
Patron (from 16/05/2007)
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The Foundation of the College of St. George
Vice President (from 22/08/2008)
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The Football Association
President (from 01/05/2006)
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Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund
Joint Patron (with Prince Harry)
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The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple
Royal Master of the Bench (from 06/07/2009)
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HMS Alliance Conservation Appeal
Patron (from 10/06/2008)
Mountain Rescue (England and Wales)
Patron (from 16/05/2007)
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National Memorial Arboretum Future Foundations Appeal
Patron (from 24/04/2009)
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Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge (Fields in Trust)
Patron (from 07/06/2010)
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A Positive View 2010
Patron (from 15/09/2008)
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Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Patron (from 10/09/2008)
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The Royal Marsden Hospital
President (from 16/05/2007)
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The Royal Society
Fellow (from 02/07/2009)
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Skill Force
Patron (from 26/02/2009)
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The Tusk Trust
Patron (from 19/12/2005)
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The Welsh Rugby Union
Vice Royal Patron (from 04/02/2007)
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