Skip to main content

Celebrating 35 years

2025 marks 35 years of The King’s Foundation. Learn about the history of the organisation and how you can get involved in the celebrations this year.

Transforming lives and communities since 1990.

Our history

The King’s Foundation timeline

Discover the history of our 35-year-old organisation by clicking on each year to learn more.

  • 1990

    The Institute of Architecture is formed and the then Prince of Wales gives a keynote speech at its inaugural Summer School for architecture students.

  • 1992

    Poundbury development begins, an urban extension that embodies the principles of placemaking which underpin our built environment work. 

  • 1996

    The then Prince of Wales creates The Phoenix Trust as a building preservation charitable trust, and Regeneration Through Heritage as an initiative to help community groups regenerate heritage buildings.

  • 1998

    Establishment of The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment.

  • 2006

    The Phoenix Trust and Regeneration Through Heritage merge to form The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, creating a single vehicle for the conservation and regeneration of important heritage buildings at risk.

  • 2007

    The King, then Prince of Wales, saves Dumfries House and its contents for the nation.

  • 2010

    Harmony book published.

  • 2012

    Education courses begin.

  • 2018

    The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Communities, The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts and The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust are merged to become The Prince’s Foundation.

  • 2019

    The Foundation becomes Trustee of the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust.

  • 2021

    The Foundation becomes the custodians of Highgrove Gardens, managing the opening of the gardens to the public and expanding the educational offering in traditional skills on site.

  • 2023

    Following His Majesty’s ascension to the throne, we become The King’s Foundation, signalling The King’s ongoing commitment to our work.

  • 2024

    Launch of The King’s Foundation Australia. 

  • 2025

    We celebrate our 35th anniversary!

Back to top