(Related: the Royal Marsden Hospital & Royal Marsden Cancer Charity)
By Colin McLaughlin – Own work, CC0, Link
Website: https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/
Charity#: 1095197 (England & Wales) for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
Description
“The Royal Marsden” is used to describe three separate entities:
- The Royal Marsden Hospital
- A specialist cancer treatment hospital in London, that focuses on cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and education.
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- The legal and administrative organization that runs The Royal Marsden hospital. The trust was formed in 2004 during the first wave of UK hospitals to be awarded NHS Foundation Trust status.
- The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
- The independent charity that raises funds for the trust. Grants are only made to the Trust, not other organizations or individuals.
The three entities are technically separate organization, set up for different legal and financial reasons. But, they all work so closely together and are widely perceived as one. They are often referred to collectively as “The Royal Marsden.”
Positions
Prior to 2001, the royals was patron/president of the Hospital, as the trust and charity did not yet exist. When the Trust was created in 2001, the royals became patron/president of the Trust. However since all 3 entities are closely related, sometimes people refer to them as patron/president of the hospital or charity.
Patrons
- Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
- Prince William & Princess Kate (2025-Present)
Presidents
- Princess Diana (1989-1997)
- This was one of 6 patronages that Diana retained after her Divorce.
- Prince William (2007-2025)
History
1851
The Free Cancer Hospital was founded by Dr. William Marsden.
Marsden founded the hospital after the death of his wife Elizabeth Ann (also known by Betsy Ann). It was the world’s first hospital for the study and treatment of cancer.
(Two decades before creating this hospital, Marsden founded the London General Institution for the Gratuitous Care of Malignant Diseases, which would later become the Royal Free Hospital.)
1910
Granted Royal Charter of Incorporation by King George V.
The Hospital became known as The Cancer Hospital (Free).
1936
The hospital was granted permission to use the word “Royal” in it’s name by King Edward VIII.
The hospital was known The Royal Cancer Hospital (Free).
1951
The Hospital celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary.
1952
Queen Elizabeth II became Patron of The Royal Marsden Hospital. She held the position for the remainder of her life.
1954
The hospital changed it’s name to the Royal Marsden Hospital in honor of it’s founder Dr. Edward Marsden.
1989
Princess Diana became President of the Royal Marsden Hospital. She held the position for the remainder of her life. This was 1 of 6 patronages she retained after her divorce.
1991
The hospital was the first NHS hospital to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Technology. The award was given for the hospitals work on drug development.
2001
The hospital celebrated it’s 150th Anniversary.
2002
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity was founded to raise funds for the hospital’s work.
2004
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust was created. It was among the first wave of hospitals in the UK to be awarded NHS Foundation Trust status.
2005
Prince William did a two-day work experience at the Royal Marsden Hospital.
2007
Prince William becomes President of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The patronage was announced a few months before the Concert for Diana, a fundraiser which benefited a number of Diana’s former patronages, including the Royal Marsden hospital.
2024
Princess Kate* is diagnosed with Cancer and receives treatment at the hospital.
2025
Prince William & Princess Kate became Joint Patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. The position had been vacant since Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
