Recent political events in the United Kingdom have turned the spotlight on the question of English identity. Political debate and media pundits might lead you to believe that the English have only just woken up to their patriotic passions. Let us assure you, this is definitely not the case...
The Royal Society of St George – founded in 1894
For more than 124 years, the Royal Society of St George has been England’s premier patriotic organisation, promoting and celebrating the English way of life. With thousands of members, more than 60 branches in England and over 30 around the world, the Society organises a wide variety of social and fund raising events, from marking significant moments in our history to enjoying English food and drink.
Our Patron: HM The Queen
Queen Victoria was the Society’s first Royal Patron and we have since enjoyed the Patronage of every reigning monarch. In 1963 the Queen bestowed a notable honour by granting the Society its own Royal Charter.
Each year we send flowers to Her Majesty on her birthday on April 21st.
The St George’s Cross flag has been the national flag of England since the 1300s and the Society campaigns for it to be flown prominently around the country. In recent years it has been great to see the flag flying at major sporting events but Society members want to see it more widely in everyday life – flying from public buildings, churches, educational establishments and even private residences. It happens in many countries around the world, so why not in England?
Celebrate St George’s Day
England’s neighbours celebrate their national days with fervour – at home, around the world, and among their communities living in England. So why is St George’s Day – April 23rd – such a low key event? One of the Society’s long-running campaigns is to have St. George’s Day declared a public holiday and to encourage celebrations to be held in every village, town and city in the country.
Many of our branches hold various events around April 23rd.
Events throughout the year
The Society and branches organise many varied events but fixtures on the annual calendar include:
- Cenotaph Wreath Laying in Whitehall on the Saturday closest to St. George’s Day, followed by laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey
- Battle of Waterloo luncheon or dinner in June.
- Battle of Britain luncheon in September.
- Trafalgar Day dinner in October.
Many branches meet monthly for a lunch or dinner while some hold weekly meetings.
On the south coast a branch, assisted local town councils organise an annual Veterans & Armed Forces Day event, while at the other end of the country the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta was commemorated with a medieval feast in the Undercroft of Durham Cathedral. Over in the west country members visited an Iron Age settlement and organised a Last Night of The Proms . In London, where there are three branches, recent meeting places have included The Tower of London and The Lord Mayor of Westminster’s parlour.
Supporting English Charities
Charitable support is fundamental to the Society and, across the Society, takes many forms.
The majority of our branches are extremely active in their support of numerous worthy causes, either through fund raising events or direct community support activities.
The Society’s Charitable Trust has, as its main aim, the support of young people in their endeavours to develop themselves and to support their communities.
Key Dates in 2018
Feb 6th – 100th Anniversary of Women getting the vote & 66th Anniversary of HM The Queen’s Accession to the Throne
March 12th - Commonwealth Day
April 1st – 100th Anniversary of the RAF
April 21st – RSSG Cenotaph Ceremony / HM The Queen’s Birthday
April 23rd - St. George's Day
June 2nd – 65th Anniversary of the Coronation
June 9th – HM The Queen’s Offical Birthday / Trooping the Colour
June 30th – Armed Forces Day 2018
Sept 14th – RSSG Battle of Britain Lunch at the RAF Club
Nov 11th – 100th Armistice Day/Remembrance Sunday
We are an inclusive Society, open to all people who love England and Englishness and who support our aims and objectives. You can find full details on this website
Why Not Join Us Today?
You can join the Royal Society of St. George in England by completing this form today and sending off to our Administration Office.
For overseas or affiliate applications, please contact the Office directly.