Alistair Hardaker | Image: Her Majesty walking out of the Bronte Birthplace
Queen Camilla becomes Royal Patron of the Brontë Birthplace, a year after visiting the restored house where the Brontë siblings were born.
Queen Camilla has accepted an invitation to become Royal Patron of the Brontë Birthplace in Thornton.
The confirmation came in a letter from Buckingham Palace that arrived on the morning of the Birthplace’s first anniversary celebrations, a year after the Queen’s visit to the site.
During that visit, the Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed a postcard supporting the Birthplace’s Be More Brontë initiative, which encourages people to share their own interpretation of what it means to “Be More Brontë”.
The Brontë Birthplace is the house where Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne Brontë were born. It reopened in May 2025 following a restoration project supported by community fundraising, grants and volunteers. Since reopening, the Birthplace has developed a programme of exhibitions and events, along with a tea room and overnight accommodation.
Cathy Boyden, chair of the Brontë Birthplace, said receipt of the confirmation to become Royal Patron was “an incredible honour for everyone involved with the Brontë Birthplace.”
“Her Majesty’s patronage is a wonderful endorsement of what has been achieved so far and gives us great encouragement as we look towards the future.”
Sarah West, a volunteer at the Brontë Birthplace, added: “Having the opportunity to meet Her Majesty during her visit was a wonderful experience, and it is fantastic news that she has chosen to become our Royal Patron.”
