The Place announces Royal Patron

The Place is delighted to confirm that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO has accepted an invitation to become Royal Patron of The Place.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronage comes at a critically important time of advocacy for the creative and performing arts, to ensure that dance continues to remain accessible to all, create opportunities for young people, enrich communities and drive growth in our world class creative industries.

At a recent visit of his Royal Highness, we were honoured to share a meaningful insight into the impact of our work and the extraordinary community here at The Place, across our theatre, artist support and specialist dance education programmes, including our world-leading London Contemporary Dance School.

The Duke of Edinburgh has always had a keen interest in the arts and formerly worked in theatre and television production, before becoming a full-time working member of the Royal Family. Through his patronages, His Royal Highness champions the arts and the opportunities they offer for young people to develop their confidence and skills. We are grateful for His Royal Highness’ engagement and deep appreciation for the arts, and look forward to working together to support the future of our sector and ensure access for young people to creative education and opportunities.

Clare Connor, Chief Executive of The Place says about the appointments: “We were thrilled for the opportunity in January to showcase the passion and commitment that define our dance community here at The Place, and we are honoured that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has confirmed his acceptance of our invitation to be the Royal Patron of The Place. We are especially grateful for His Royal Highness’s willingness to listen to the challenges we face as a sector. As we navigate an ever-evolving landscape for the arts, understanding and advocacy are invaluable to ensure that dance continues to inspire, educate, and connect communities.”

Lord Russell of Liverpool, Patron of The Place who attended HRH's visit in January says: "I am absolutely delighted that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has agreed to become our Royal Patron. His recent visit to The Place was a momentous occasion, not only to reflect on the remarkable legacy of my uncle, Robin Howard, but also to reaffirm our shared commitment to the future of dance as a vibrant and evolving art form. It was clear that His Royal Highness possesses a genuine and deep-rooted passion for the arts, coupled with a specialist knowledge and understanding of contemporary dance. I have every confidence that he will approach this role with dedication and excellence. We are honoured to have his support and look forward to this exciting new chapter with him as our Royal Patron.”