The Princess Anne's Charities

Charity Number: 277814

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £237,402 (2024/25)
  • Annual Expenditure: £274,497 (2024/25)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales
  • Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion only
  • Grant Focus: Charities aligned with Princess Royal's interests

Contact Details

Registered Address: Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA

Charity Number: 277814

Note: No public contact details, website, or email address are available for this charity.

Overview

The Princess Anne's Charities was registered on 29 May 1979 as a private grant-making trust. Operating from Buckingham Palace, the charity supports charitable organizations and causes in which The Princess Royal has an interest. With an annual expenditure of approximately £274,000, the trust is managed by four trustees including Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (Princess Anne's husband), The Honourable Mark Thomas Bridges, Mr Christopher Morgan, and Mrs Sally Tennant.

The trust operates entirely through trustee discretion with no employees and no public-facing operations. Princess Anne's charitable interests are extensive - she is patron or president of more than 300 organizations, focusing particularly on sports, sciences, people with disabilities, and health in developing countries. Major areas of her patronage include Save the Children, Carers Trust, Riders for Health, St. John Ambulance, and various medical research and healthcare organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

This charity does not operate formal grant programs. All grants are made at the absolute discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on Princess Anne's known patronages and interests, the trust likely supports organizations working in:

  • Health and Medical Research: Healthcare organizations, medical research, hospital foundations
  • International Development: Children's welfare, health in developing countries
  • Disability Support: Organizations supporting people with disabilities
  • Sports and Youth Development: Sports associations, youth development programs
  • Sciences and Education: STEM education, scientific research organizations
  • Animal Welfare and Rural Issues: Equestrian charities, rural community support
  • Carers and Social Care: Support for unpaid carers and vulnerable groups

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals: The trustees explicitly do not make grants to individuals
  • Organizations outside Princess Anne's sphere: Likely limited to charities with which Princess Anne has an existing connection
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by four trustees:

  • Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence KCVO CB ADC (Princess Anne's husband)
  • The Honourable Mark Thomas Bridges
  • Mr Christopher Morgan
  • Mrs Sally Tennant

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The trust operates without any paid staff.

The Princess Royal's Charitable Philosophy

Princess Anne is known for her hands-on, no-nonsense approach to charity work. She has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (1990) for her work with Save the Children. Her extensive portfolio of over 300 patronages demonstrates a commitment to practical, impact-focused charitable work, particularly in healthcare, disability support, and international development.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Princess Anne's Charities operates as a private discretionary trust. Grant decisions are made entirely by the trustees based on their knowledge of charities in which The Princess Royal has an interest. There are no application forms, guidelines, or public funding rounds.

Organizations are likely supported through:

  • Existing connections to Princess Anne's patronages
  • Trustee identification of worthy causes
  • Invitation-only funding decisions

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this trust, success factors are limited to:

Connection to Princess Anne's Interests: Organizations must align with causes that The Princess Royal actively supports or has demonstrated interest in. Her known patronages span over 300 organizations, primarily in healthcare, disability support, international development, sports, and sciences.

Established Track Record: As a private trust operating through trustee discretion, beneficiaries are likely to be established charities with proven impact rather than new or speculative projects.

Alignment with Royal Values: Organizations should demonstrate practical, hands-on approaches to charitable work, reflecting Princess Anne's well-documented preference for results-oriented, efficient charitable operations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a private discretionary trust - there is no way to apply for funding directly
  • Connection Required: Funding appears limited to organizations already connected to Princess Anne's extensive patronage network
  • Focus Areas: Healthcare, disability, international development, sports, sciences, and carers are priority areas based on Princess Anne's known interests
  • Small to Medium Trust: With annual expenditure around £274,000, this is not a major grant-maker
  • Private Operations: No staff, no public contact details, and all decisions made by four trustees including Princess Anne's husband
  • Not for Individuals: The trustees explicitly state they do not make grants to individuals
  • Alternative Approach: Organizations seeking support should focus on building connections through Princess Anne's existing patronages rather than direct applications to this trust

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