Connections with royals

The Society has always had close ties with that bastion of privilege, wealth and power, the Royal Family. It was given a royal charter by Edward VI in 1552, which was renewed by Elizabeth I, Charles I, Charles II and, most recently, Elizabeth II. It counts Prince Charles and Prince Phillip among its members. Prince Edward visited in February last year; Princess Alexandra dropped in a few months earlier. The Society's Treasurer, Brigadier Hugh Pye, was a pallbearer at the Queen Mother's funeral. Many Merchants have also received honours from the Queen.
On March 8 last year Prince Phillip visited the Merchants to celebrate their 450th anniversary, his third visit to the Society. When he was greeted by Densham, he remarked that the last time he visited, in 1975, it was Densham's father, Tim, who welcomed him. That's the kind of society this is.