New Queen Elizabeth II charity brings UK communities together

The Queen Elizabeth Trust will be officially launched on Tuesday, the British monarch’s 100th birthday, with a one-off donation of £40 million from the government as a catalyst for future fundraising. The Cabinet Office said that as royal patron of the charity, King Charles III will play an important role in making his mother’s values ​​live up to current and future generations.

Sir Damon Buffini, founding chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Trust, said: “This is a real opportunity to support communities across the UK and revitalize shared spaces: places where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet, connect and belong.”

“I’ve seen first-hand the difference these spaces make, creating opportunities, inspiring connections and giving people pride in where they live. At a time when so many people are feeling isolated, this work is more important than ever.

“As an organization we are ambitious about what we can achieve and we aim to significantly increase our impact by attracting the support of others. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves, listening to the community and learning to see what we can achieve,” he said.

Local projects undertaken by the charity may include the development and conversion of under-used buildings and green spaces, as well as community centres. Funding will also help communities ensure they have the skills and training they need to host local events.

The Cabinet Office said the new trust’s targeted support for communities will be inspired by the late Queen’s belief that “everyone is our neighbour”.

Lord Robin Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said: “I hope this new charity will encourage people to remember the late Queen’s life and service by recognizing the importance she placed on strengthening participation and belonging in local communities.”

The charity is one of three related projects commemorating Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96. A national memorial in St James’s Park and a digital memorial to commemorate her legacy will also be officially unveiled in London on Tuesday.

The Cabinet Office said the move was part of a long-standing British tradition of remembering monarchs through living monuments that make a “real difference” to people’s lives.

The Queen Elizabeth Trust will ensure that Her Majesty the Queen is remembered for her unique ability to bring people from all generations and walks of life together.

The new charity is said to be the result of more than two years of engagement between the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee and various groups across the UK.

The news comes as Buckingham Palace confirms award-winning historian, biographer and curator Dr Anna Kaye as the late Queen’s official biographer. The biography was commissioned by King Charles, so Key will have access to a wealth of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal and official documents held in the Royal Archives. She will also be able to speak to those who knew her well throughout her life and service, including members of the royal family.

“It is a great honor to be asked to write the official biography of Queen Elizabeth II,” said Keay, a member of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee.

She said: “She was our longest-reigning monarch and an extraordinary woman whose life spanned a century of tremendous change. “I am deeply grateful to His Majesty the King for entrusting me with this responsibility and for allowing me access to her papers, and I will do my best to do justice to her life and work.”

Kaye, an OBE, is known for his writings on British history, the monarchy and historic royal architecture.

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