Alistair Hardaker | Image: Sir Ian Blatchford and Sir Tim Laurence presenting His Majesty with the SMG Fellowship (Science Museum Group)
King Charles III receives Science Museum Group Fellowship at Buckingham Palace, following Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and the Princess Royal.
King Charles III has received a Fellowship of the Science Museum Group at a joint audience with the Royal Society at Buckingham Palace.
The Fellowship was presented by the Science Museum Group’s chair, Sir Tim Laurence, and its director, Sir Ian Blatchford, in recognition of the King’s 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, who were present as the King signed 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 is the first time a new Royal Page has been signed in over 70 years.
The Science Museum Group Fellows Programme was launched during the Science Museum’s centenary celebrations in 2009 and recognises individuals who have made contributions to research, design, technology, science communication and philanthropy. Each year the Fellowship Nominations Committee nominates a small number of individuals to become Fellows.
Sir Tim Laurence said: “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.
“We are immensely appreciative of his continuing support of the Science Museum Group and are delighted to recognise his achievements with this Fellowship.’
As Prince of Wales, King Charles first visited the National Railway Museum in 1981 and opened the Science Museum’s Telecommunications gallery in 1983.
He later opened the Science Museum’s climate science gallery Atmosphere in 2010, reopened Station Hall at the National Railway Museum in 2013, and launched the Science Museum’s Engineer Your Future exhibition in 2014.
In 2023, he marked the centenary of Flying Scotsman, cared for by the National Railway Museum, by travelling behind the locomotive aboard the Royal Train.
Several members of the Royal Family have previously accepted a Science Museum Group Fellowship. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were elected Fellows in 2014, and the Princess Royal was elected a Fellow in 2018.
