1936 HM King Edward VIII                   

The briefest reign of a British monarch in the Twentieth Century, and the shortest time spent in position by a Patron of The Boys’ Brigade. HM King Edward VIII is better remembered for occasions engaged with The Boys’ Brigade in his capacity as the Prince of Wales. These included:

• The inspection of the Glasgow Battalion at Queen’s Park recreation ground in March 1921.
• An inspection of a Guard of Honour provided by the Nottingham Battalion on 29 June 1932.[4]
• A visit to see the 1^st Glasgow Company “under working conditions” during the Jubilee of 1933. In a half-hour visit the Prince of Wales saw a display of various activities undertaken by the pioneering Glasgow Company. [5]

1936 – 1952 King George VI

On his accession to the throne King George VI followed in the footsteps of his father to bestow the honour of Patronage on The Boys’ Brigade. On the coronation of the King, in all parts of the country

where the ‘BB’ was found, Battalions and Companies took part in many forms of celebrating the coronation of the new monarch. Standout events from the years King George VI was Patron included:

• The Youth Festival at Wembley Stadium in 1937, where the new King was presented with a programme of activities delivered by detachments representing 40 organisations of youth. The Boys’ Brigade headed the march past of the 11,000 strong contingent.[6]
• The Royal Review of members of The Boys’ Brigade from London at Windsor Castle in 1943 during the height of the Second World War.
• The Festival Run of 1952 which saw 5 messages carried from all corners of The United Kingdom to reach the King at Buckingham Palace.

1952-2022 Queen Elizabeth II

The most recent Patron of The Boys’ Brigade, and the longest serving, the late Queen was Patron of the ‘BB’ for 70 years. The Queen will be remembered for the high-profile engagements but also as a Patron who cared about the Object, values, and mission of The Boys’ Brigade. There were many special occasions shared between Queen Elizabeth II and The Boys’ Brigade, but some of the best remembered include:

• The visit to Brigade House in 1973 as The Boys’ Brigade celebrated its 90^th This was the first time a reigning monarch had visited the headquarters of The Boys’ Brigade.[7]
• The Royal Review in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, where 3,044 Boys and Officers were on parade to mark the centenary of the movement in 1983.[8]
• The Royal Review of 1994 at Windsor Castle, which bore similarities to the Review of 1943. Over 1,000 Boys and Officers combined for this event, where the Queen spoke of the role of The Boys’ Brigade during times of rapid social change.[9]

The Boys’ Brigade has been fortunate to have had four reigning monarchs of the United Kingdom act as Patron. Each of these Patrons had their own special relationship with The Boys’ Brigade and all four created moments that will live long in its history.