Quite simply, a royal patron puts them on the map and opens the door to power.

Resigning the chancellorship, he became a fierce defender of ecclesiastical liberties, a stance which soon brought him into conflict with his erstwhile royal patron.

He served as the charity's royal patron from 1997 and became a great friend and support.

Despite comprising just 2 per cent of charities with a royal patron, these received 317 official visits or events last year, more than a third of royal engagements with charities.

But beyond lifting spirits and gracing its headed notepaper and website, a royal patron brings no discernible boost to a charity's income, a study has found.