Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. Although the palaces are owned by The Queen on behalf of the nation, Historic Royal Palaces receives no funding from the Government or the Crown and depends on the support of its visitors, members, donors, volunteers and sponsors. Historic Royal Palaces’ aim is to help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have shaped society, in some of the greatest palaces ever built.

Historic Royal Palaces is established under Royal Charter. This provides for Trustees to be appointed either by Her Majesty The Queen, or by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with some Trustees being appointed, ex officio, by virtue of their holding another office. Trustees are not remunerated.

Following amendments to the Royal Charter in October 2010, the Chairman of Historic Royal Palaces’ Campaign Board is appointed as Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces ex officio.  The Campaign Board is a senior volunteer board and was created to provide independent guidance on both Historic Royal Palaces’ overall fundraising strategy and help with generating financial support for specific projects.  Ian Barlow has been Chairman of the Campaign Board since 1 July 2008.