RNC's President / Royal Patron

The Royal National College for the Blind is proud to have held a long connection with the royal family. 

Queen Victoria was the College’s original patron, with HRH the former Prince of Wales, taking up the patronage in 1997.

In 1979 Prince Charles paid a flying visit to Hereford to informally re-open the College following its move from Shrewsbury to Hereford. It literally was a 'flying' visit as the former Prince of Wales piloted his own helicopter to attend the 90 minute visit. A more detailed account of the visit can be read here.

Shortly after His Majesty The King's accession in September 2022, he paid a short visit to the College on 12 December 2022, and met students, staff, governors and volunteers as a final celebration of its 150th anniversary. It was also the Monarch's first visit to the West Midlands region.

In May 2024, it was announced that King Charles III would continue his patronage of the College.

The Hon Mrs Jessica White is The Royal National College for the Blind's President.

A great supporter of the College, Mrs White often presides over the annual 'Celebration of Achievement' awards.

Stephen Cottrell is the 98th Archbishop of York.

He has previously served as the Bishop of Chelmsford, Bishop of Reading, Canon Pastor at Peterborough Cathedral and Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of Wakefield. He served in parishes in South London and Chichester.

He is a member of the Church of England’s Committee for Minority Ethnic Concerns, and a member of the House of Lords.

He is a well-known writer and speaker on evangelism, spirituality and catechesis. His latest books, Dear England addresses issues about how the Christian faith can shape the life of our nation, and Godforsaken a book for Lent and Holy Week.

He is married to Rebecca who is a potter. They have three sons, one grandson and a dog.

For more details, please visit the Archbishop of York's website here.

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Professor Tamar Thompson lives in Malvern and began her career in health as a Nurse. She also held multiple Executive roles of Director of Nursing and Quality, Workforce and Service Improvement at two Strategic Health Authorities, an NHS Acute Trust followed by a number of key roles as Assistant Regional Director/Director of Corporate Affairs at the West Midlands Regional Office.

She has been a Chief Executive in a Primary Care Trust and in two Ambulance Services.

In addition, she was a Professional Adviser for the Parliamentary Secretary for Health. Tamar was a Commissioner on the Prime Minister’s Commission into the future of Nursing and Midwifery.

A Visiting Professor at both London Southbank University and the University of Worcester, and a Fellow and Vice President of the College of Fellows, and a past General Council member of the King’s Fund, Tamar is also Chairman of Malvern Theatres and Vice Chairman of the Worcestershire Community Foundation. She is a Lay Adviser on a Clinical Commissioning Group and also a Commissioning Support Unit.

In 2009 she received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Health Care.