King Charles III has confirmed his wish to retain his royal patronage of Bath Preservation Trust, the organisation that promotes the celebration of the city’s history and heritage.
The announcement comes a year after His Majesty’s coronation and following a detailed review of patronages held by the royal household.
In 1973 Bath Preservation Trust became the first royal patronage of the then Prince of Wales.
At that time, what has become known as the ‘Sack of Bath’ was well underway – but, with the support of such a high-profile royal patron, the demolition of the Georgian heart of Bath was ended.
Bath Preservation Trust said this support helped to pave the way for the city to be inscribed on the World Heritage list, recognising the unique importance of one of the finest and most coherent assemblages of architecture in the world.
Today Bath Preservation Trust continues to advocate and campaign to preserve the city’s heritage, including through its four museums – No.1 Royal Crescent, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Beckford’s Tower (due to reopen this summer) and the Museum of Bath Architecture (currently closed).
Bath Preservation Trust CEO Alex Sherman said the King’s interests in conservation, craftsman-led quality architecture and the natural environment were well-documented.
“These interests are also fundamental to Bath Preservation Trust’s core objective: to promote the conservation, sustainable enhancement and celebration of the unique historic built environment and amenity, green setting and global contributions of the city of Bath,” he added.
“We are delighted the King has chosen to retain his royal patronage as we look forward to continuing and extending our work as a champion for sustainability, the historic built environment, design excellence and responding to the climate and nature emergency.”
