The Royal Stuart Society, founded in 1926, is the largest extant Jacobite organisation in the United Kingdom. Its full name is The Royal Stuart Society and Royalist League, although it is best known simply as the "Royal Stuart Society". It acknowledges Francis, Duke of Bavaria as head of the House of Stuart, while refraining from making any claim on his behalf that he does not make himself.
The society organises annual events to commemorate the major anniversaries of Jacobitism and other events of Royalist interest.
History
After the First World War, the Jacobite movement was in disarray. The Royal Stuart Society was established by Captain Henry Stuart Wheatly-Crowe, who served as its first Governor-General, and representatives of the Royalist Association and other defunct or moribund bodies that supported the Jacobite succession to the British throne.
The objectives of the Royal Stuart Society are: (1) to be open to all who have an interest in the members of the Royal House of Stuart, their descendants and supporters; (2) to promote research in and further knowledge of Stuart history; (3) to uphold Monarchy and oppose republicanism; and (4) to arrange commemorations, lectures and other activities. It describes itself on its website as being “monarchist and traditionalist”.[2]
The Society organises events throughout the year. A service to commemorate the execution of Charles I of England is held at his statue in Trafalgar Square on 30 January each year, and a wreath is laid on the King's tomb at St George's Chapel, Windsor, at the beginning of Choral Evensong. The execution of Mary, Queen of Scots is remembered with a Service at her tomb in Westminster Abbey on 8 February. The nativity of King James VII and II of Scotland and England is marked by prayers and the laying of flowers at his statue outside the National Gallery on 14 October.
