The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service will now be known as the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the government has announced.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that the change reflects King Charles III’s desire to continue the legacy of the late Queen and recognise volunteers across the country.
The aims of the award, as well as the nomination, application and judging processes, will remain the same.
Meanwhile, the volunteering charity Royal Voluntary Service unveiled the Coronation Champions Awards to celebrate the country’s volunteers.
Recognising volunteers
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award granted to volunteers and is often referred to as an MBE for charities. It recognises around 250 volunteer groups across the UK each year.
From this year onwards, awardees will be announced on 14 November each year to coincide with the King’s birthday.
Civil society minister Stuart Andrew said: “These prestigious awards celebrate people’s dedication, commitment and hard work in contributing to society and I’m delighted the King will continue the legacy of Her Late Majesty.
“I look forward to seeing the outstanding achievements the awards mark in the coming year, both by businesses and voluntary organisations.”
During her 70 years of service, Queen Elizabeth II was patron of more than 600 charities and organisations, a figure that fluctuated over the years and declined as she grew older.
As the Prince of Wales, King Charles III was patron of over 420 charities, having been closely involved with the award for many years.
In his first public address as British monarch, he announced that he would cut down on his charitable commitment. However, it is not clear yet of which charities he will no longer be a patron.
New awards to celebrate ‘exceptional volunteers’
To mark the coronation of the King, the volunteering charity Royal Voluntary Service launched the Coronation Champions Awards.
The awards, which are supported by the Queen Consort, aim to recognise exceptional volunteers across the UK.
The charity will select 500 of the “most remarkable volunteers” who will receive an official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by the Queen Consort.
Anyone aged 14 and over can be nominated across eight award categories, which include:
• Supporting older people.
• Supporting young people and children.
• Crisis and welfare.
• Community sports.
• Culture and heritage.
• Health and care.
• Sustainability and the environment;
• Animal welfare.
Chief executive Catherine Johnstone said: “Royal Voluntary Service volunteers are amongst the millions of big-hearted people who are doing incredible work in their communities, every single day. Together with Her Majesty the Queen Consort we are honouring those remarkable volunteers from all backgrounds, from all over the UK, and from a range of causes, who have made a real difference in recent years.
“I know from experience that volunteers don’t do what they do for praise or glory, but I also know that they absolutely deserve it. The coronation is the perfect time for us to come together and really show volunteers just how much we appreciate everything they do for our health and happiness. Be sure to nominate your local heroes, as these awards are a wonderfully exciting opportunity for deserving volunteers to be commended and be part of history in the making.”
Nominations for the Coronation Champions Awards close on 2 April. Volunteers can be nominated here.
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