His Majesty The King Receives Science Museum Group Fellowship

The Fellowship was presented by the Science Museum Group’s Chair, Sir Tim Laurence, and its Director, Sir Ian Blatchford, in recognition of His Majesty’s many years of dedicated work raising public awareness of environmental issues and promoting careers in STEM.

Also in attendance were Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, and Dame Julie Maxton, Executive Director of the Royal Society. They were present to witness His Majesty The King in signing a new page of the Charter Book in his capacity as the Society’s Royal Patron. The Charter Book was first signed by King Charles II in 1665 and this will be the first time a new Royal Page has been signed in over 70 years.

Launched during the Science Museum’s centenary celebrations in 2009, the Science Museum Group Fellows Programme recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to research, design, technology, science communication and philanthropy. Every year the Fellowship Nominations Committee nominate a small number of individuals to join the programme and become Fellows.

Sir Tim Laurence said:

’It is an honour to present His Majesty The King with the Science Museum Group Fellowship. Through decades of advocacy and public engagement, His Majesty has helped deepen awareness of some of the most important issues facing our world today, while also encouraging discussion about the choices that lie ahead.

’His work has left a lasting impact both in the United Kingdom and internationally. We are immensely appreciative of his continuing support of the Science Museum Group and are delighted to recognise his achievements with this Fellowship.’

His Majesty King Charles III has a long-standing relationship with the Science Museum Group spanning more than four decades. As Prince of Wales, he first visited the National Railway Museum in 1981 and officially opened the Science Museum’s Telecommunications gallery two years later.

Over the following decades, he continued to support the Group through a number of significant engagements, including opening the Science Museum’s climate science gallery Atmosphere in 2010, reopening Station Hall at the National Railway Museum in 2013, and launching the Science Museum’s Engineer Your Future exhibition in 2014, which highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation of engineers.

In 2018, His Majesty returned to the Science Museum during the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit to tour the exhibition Illuminating India: 5000 Years of Science and Innovation. More recently, in 2023, he helped mark the centenary of Flying Scotsman, cared for by the National Railway Museum, by travelling behind the locomotive aboard the Royal Train.

The Science Museum Group has been honoured that several members of The Royal Family have previously accepted a Science Museum Group Fellowship. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, were elected Fellows in 2014. Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, was elected a Fellow in 2018.

Notes to editors

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About the Science Museum Group

The Science Museum Group is the world’s leading group of science museums, welcoming over five million visitors each year to five sites: the Science Museum in London; the National Railway Museum in York; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford; and Locomotion in Shildon.

We share the stories of innovations and people that shaped our world and are transforming the future, constantly reinterpreting our astonishingly diverse collection of 7.3 million items spanning science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Standout objects include the record-breaking locomotive Flying Scotsman, Richard Arkwright’s textile machinery, Alan Turing’s Pilot ACE computer and the earliest surviving recording of British television. Our mission is to inspire futures—igniting curiosity among people of all ages and backgrounds. Each year, our museums attract more than 600,000 visits by education groups, while our touring exhibition programme brings our creativity and scholarship to audiences across the globe. More information can be found at www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk.

About the Royal Society’s Charter Book

The Charter Book was created after King Charles II granted a second Royal Charter to the Royal Society in 1663. The diary writer Samuel Pepys witnessed the book being taken to Whitehall on 9 January 1665: ’Here I saw the Royal Society bring their new book, wherein is nobly writ their charter and laws, and comes to be signed… all the Fellows’ hands are to be entered there, and lie as a monument; and the King hath put his with the word Founder’.

The fine vellum folio, bound in crimson leather with silver gilt fittings, has recorded the signatures of the Society’s scientists as they were elected year-by-year, as well as those of its Royal Patrons. With the exception of William and Mary, and Queen Anne, all British monarchs have signed the Charter Book on dedicated pages framed by lavishly decorated ink, watercolour, and gilded borders. The new Royal Page—the first in 70 years—was designed by calligrapher and artist Neil Bromley. Its embellishments highlight HRH King Charles III’s interests in biodiversity.