PUBLIC ROLE

The Earl of Wessex carries out a full schedule of official engagements in support of The Queen, and a growing number of charitable and other organisations with which he is actively involved.

In 2005 His Royal Highness carried out some 349 engagements in the UK and overseas.
 
The Earl's three great interests are young people, the arts and sport, which are reflected in both his public role and private life.

Organisations that provide opportunities for young people are especially important to His Royal Highness. He has been deeply committed to the work of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme ever since he achieved his Gold Award in 1986. His duties as a United Kingdom and International Trustee mean that he travels widely in Britain and overseas.

His Royal Highness is also associated with a number of sporting bodies. He is Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, and he also serves as Patron of the Scottish Badminton Union and the Ocean Youth Trust.

The Earl of Wessex is involved with the following organisations:

1-2-1 Club Church Army (Patron)
2005 North Pole Expedition (Patron)
ADC Theatre Appeal Cambridge (Patron)
BadmintonScotland (Patron from 1990)
British Paralympic Association (Patron)
Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (Patron)
Central Caribbean Marine Institute (Patron)
Chetham's School of Music, Manchester (Patron)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Patron from 1991)
Classworks Theatre, Cambridge  (Patron from 1984)
Commonwealth Games Federation  (President from 1990)
The Friends of St Thomas Church, Newport (Patron of Appeal)
International Council of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association (Chairman)
International Special Projects Group (Patron)
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (Trustee from 1988)
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Foundation (Trustee) 1987 - present
Globe Theatre, Saskatchewan, Canada (Patron from 1992)
Gordon's School Stepping Forward Appeal (Patron)
Haddo Arts Trust, Aberdeen  (Patron from 1987)
The Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society (Royal Patron from 2004)
Headway Dorset (Patron)
His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen (Patron)
The London Gardens Society (Patron)
London Mozart Players  (Patron from 1990)
National Youth Music Theatre  (President from 1987)
National Youth Orchestras of Scotland  (Patron from 1987)
National Youth Theatre of Great Britain  (Patron)
Northern Ballet Theatre (Patron)
Oglander Roman Trust (Patron) 
The Orpheus Trust (Patron)
Queen Victoria School, Auckland (Patron)
Real Tennis Professionals Association (Patron)
Royal Exchange Theatre Company, Manchester (Patron from 1991)
Royal Wanganui Opera House (Patron)
The Royal Wolverhampton School (Patron)
SnowSport GB (Patron)
The Stage Management Association (Patron)
UNITEC, Auckland (Patron)

He also holds the following military appointments:
Royal Honorary Colonel, Royal Wessex Yeomanry (2003, UK);
Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (2006, UK);
Patron, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association (UK);
Colonel in Chief, Saskatchewan Dragoons (2003, Canada);
Colonel in Chief, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (2002, Canada).