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His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh stands in a dance studio surrounded by smiling dancers

Dance Base announces His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as its Royal Patron

Eleanor Bally

Dance Base is delighted to confirm that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO has accepted an invitation to become Royal Patron of Dance Base.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s patronage comes at an important time in Scotland’s creative and performing arts sector as we work to ensure dance remains accessible to all, to support peoples’ health and wellbeing and to create opportunities for Scotland’s dance artists.

We were delighted to welcome The Duke of Edinburgh to Dance Base in May 2024, where we shared an insight into our work and communities. We introduced His Royal Highness to our Dance for Parkinson’s programme, in-house youth and elders dance companies and public classes – alongside a tour of our unique building, which plays host to so much important work across our professional and public programmes.

The Duke of Edinburgh is passionate about the arts and is already a Royal patron of the Edinburgh International Festival, National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, The Orpheus Centre Trust, Creative Youth, Northern Ballet, The Place and the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland. In particular, The Duke believes deeply in the opportunities the arts offer for young people to develop their confidence. We look forward to working together with His Royal Highness to support the future of dance in Scotland.

Dance Base CEO Jeanie Scott said: “In 2001, His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, officially opened our then brand-new dance centre on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. We are delighted to now announce His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as our Royal Patron, and to work with him to help dance flourish and change lives.”

Co-Chairs of Dance Base Alice McGrath and Paul Fitzpatrick said: “Ahead of our building’s 25th anniversary next year, we are proud to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh as our Royal Patron. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with The Duke, and to working with him well into the future.”

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