What does it mean to have a Royal Charter? The Royal Charter is a prestigious instrument of incorporation granted by the British sovereign on the advice of the UK Privy Council which awards independent legal personality, defines its objectives, constitution and powers to govern its own affairs, and reflects the high status of that body.

Charters have also been used to set up public bodies; that is, organisations which exist ‘at arm’s length’ from government but fulfil its objectives and are fully or partially state funded. Public bodies set up by royal charter include the BBC, the British Council, UK Sport, the British Film Institute (BFI) and the Bank of England.