The Royal Collection Trust
Analysis
The Royal Collection Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1993, 33 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02713536). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2026, The Royal Collection Trust reported income of £85.3m and spending of £81.8m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £24.0m to £85.3m (+255%), an average of +37% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 157%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Royal Collection Trust sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Institute of Physics (£85.3m), National Oceanography Centre (£87.9m) and The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon (£82.0m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 72%, trading 25% and investments 1.9%. Charitable activities took 70% of spending and raising funds 24%. Reserves of £14.4m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 1,106 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.7%
- Charitable activities 72%
- Trading 25%
- Investments 1.9%
- Other 0.2%
In the charity's own words
To ensure the Royal Collection is subject to proper custodial control and is conserved to the highest possible standards.To ensure the Royal Collection can be seen by as many people as possible.To broaden access through the publication of books and exhibition catalogues and development of the on-line gallery.To make appropriate acquisitions when resources become available.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Institute of Physics | London | £85.3m |
| National Oceanography Centre | Southampton | £87.9m |
| The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon | Warwickshire | £82.0m |
| The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies | London | £106.2m |