Royal Family

From WikiGuider

Guiding in the UK has had a long association with the British Royal Family, in 1920 Princess Mary, daughter of George V became President of the Association, 1937 saw Princess Elizabeth, who would go on to be Queen Elizabeth II become a Guide, and Princess Margaret become a Brownie. Princess Elizabeth joined the 1st Buckingham Palace Unit, whose first meeting was held on 9th June. She became the Second of Kingfisher Patrol, and was enrolled by her Aunt Princess Mary, Association President, on December 13th. At the start of World War II the company was closed, and the Queen and Princess Margaret were attached to a Balmoral Company. In 1942 the Buckingham Palace company reopened at Windsor, the Queen became Patrol Leader of Swallow Patrol. In 1943 the Queen became a Sea Ranger undertaking usual activities including gaining her boating permit and taking out the Queen Mother in a dinghy. She became Chief Ranger of the British Empire in 1946. When she married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh two of her bridesmaids were former members of the Buckingham Palace company. In 1952 when she ascended the throne she became the association patron. - Press

When Princess Mary died Princess Margaret became the new President in 1965. In turn on the death of Princess Margaret, HRH Sophie the Countess of Wessex, wife to Prince Edward became President in 2003. Girlguiding UK - History of guiding. The highest award in Guiding, the Queen's Guide award was created in 1946, this is now presented by the Association President.