Kathryn England
ZSL Chief Executive Officer
As we continue to celebrate ZSL’s 200th anniversary, there have been many moments this year that have reminded us of the enduring importance of our mission: to restore wildlife, inspire people, and create a world where nature can thrive. Few, however, have been as special as welcoming our Patron, His Majesty The King, and Her Majesty The Queen to London Zoo.
On behalf of everyone at ZSL, I want to express how delighted and honoured we were to host Their Majesties as part of our bicentenary celebrations. Their visit was a tremendous privilege, and one that meant a great deal to our staff, volunteers, supporters and partners across the world.
Advocates for the natural world
The King's longstanding commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability is well known, and over many years he has helped shine a spotlight on some of the most pressing challenges facing our natural world. As Patron of ZSL, his support sends a powerful signal about the importance of protecting wildlife and restoring nature. Alongside The Queen, whose warmth and interest were so greatly appreciated by everyone they met, Their Majesties brought real attention to the vital work being carried out by ZSL both in the UK and internationally.
For a conservation charity like ours, that advocacy is invaluable. It helps raise awareness of the threats facing wildlife, encourages others to support conservation efforts, and recognises the dedication of the many people working every day to safeguard species and habitats. We are enormously grateful for Their Majesties' support and for the attention their visit brought to our mission.
ZSL’s Royal History
From our earliest days, Royal patronage has helped establish ZSL as an institution of national importance.
King George IV granted ZSL its Royal Charter in 1829, just three years after our founding, recognising the importance of advancing zoological science. William IV later became our first Royal Patron and transferred the Royal Menagerie from the Tower of London to London Zoo, providing our early scientists with new opportunities to study living animals.
Since then, every reigning monarch has upheld the title of ZSL’s Patron, supporting our work as we have evolved and grown into the international conservation charity we are today. We are delighted that HM King Charles chose to continue that lineage – as today, more than ever, the natural world needs support.
A Royal Occasion
While our visitors saw a joyful occasion, events of this significance require a great deal of planning behind the scenes. Months of preparation went into ensuring the visit reflected not only the very best of London Zoo, but also the breadth of ZSL's work around the world.
Our teams worked closely together to create an experience that would give Their Majesties a genuine sense of our impact, from our work caring for animals at the Zoo to our efforts to protect threatened species, restore ecosystems and support conservation communities across the globe.
Alongside showcasing our conservation work, there were many practical considerations: coordinating logistics, welcoming invited supporters and partners, working with media, ensuring the experience for our visitors remained positive, and bringing together the many moving parts that accompany a visit of such significance.
It was a huge team effort, and I could not be prouder of how our colleagues rose to the occasion. Their professionalism, dedication and attention to detail were extraordinary, reflecting the passion they bring to their work every day.
200 years of working for wildlife
As we reflect on this memorable visit, I am reminded not only of how far ZSL has come over the past 200 years, but also of the importance of the support we receive from so many people who share our commitment to a future where wildlife thrives. The visit of Their Majesties was a celebration of that shared purpose.
Our bicentenary is an opportunity to look back with pride, but also to look ahead with determination. The challenges facing nature have never been greater, yet neither has the opportunity to make a difference. With the continued support of our Patrons, our members, donors, partners, visitors and conservation communities around the world, we will continue working to create a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.
We are deeply grateful to Their Majesties for helping us mark our historic milestone, and for their continued support of our global conservation. It was a day that everyone at ZSL will remember for many years to come.