As with her other interests, The Queen supports the Arts though her work with patronages and affiliated charities.
As The Duchess of Cornwall, The Queen became Patron of the London Chamber Orchestra, St Johns, Smith Square, the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
The Queen also supports the dramatic arts through her patronages of the National Theatre, the Theatre Royal Bath and the Unicorn Theatre for Children.
In 2022, Her Majesty visited the National Theatre to hear more about their 'Public Acts’ initiative, which creates ambitious new works, built on sustained partnerships with theatres and community organisations who share the vision of theatre as a force for change.
The Queen often takes time to visit theatres overseas as well. In 2023, during Their Majesties' State Visit to Germany, The Queen visited the Komische Opera Berlin, where she watched a performance and met actors and performers who use the space.
As The Duchess of Cornwall, The Queen became Patron of Elmhurst Ballet School in 2006. As the school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, Her Majesty paid a visit to watch a short performance and heard about recent developments in ballet teaching that are being spearheaded by the school.
Among the students met by Her Majesty on this visit was Nigerian ballet dancer, Anthony Mmesoma Madu. Anthony was awarded a scholarship to Elmhurst Ballet School in 2020 after a video of him dancing barefoot in the rain went viral online.
As Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, Her Majesty supports the Silver Swans programme which encourages older learners of all abilities to learn ballet.
In 2022, Her Majesty formally opened the new state-of-the-art Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) global headquarters. During the visit, The then Duchess was introduced to RAD students training to become dance teachers, before watching a Silver Swans ballet class for learners aged over 55.
A Silver Swan herself, The Queen joined Angela Rippon and Darcey Bussell in conversation to discuss the benefits of dance at an older age, during the pandemic.
