Queen Elizabeth II Leaving Some Royal Duties: List Of Patronages The Queen Will Pass On To Other Family Members

RTSU9IC — Queen Elizabeth II visits Goodenough College, the leading residential community for British and international postgraduate students studying in London, Britain, Dec. 1, 2016. REUTERS/Stuart C. Wilson/Pool

Queen Elizabeth II will step down as patron from more than 20 national organizations by the end of this year, Buckingham Palace said in a statement Tuesday. As the queen turned 90 this year, she has decided to relinquish her association with the bodies and hand over the duties to other members of the royal family.

“Her Majesty is currently patron of more than 600 organisations and has enjoyed a close and active association with a great number of them throughout her reign," the palace said, in the statement.

“Her Majesty will continue to serve as patron to hundreds of charities and institutions but will now share this work with her family. Many of the organisations listed below already have other members of the Royal Family as vice-patrons or presidents, which will ensure a smooth transition," the palace added.

According to the palace, the decision follows the example set by the Duke of Edinburgh who broke formal ties with some of his patronages on the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2011.

The All England Club released a statement after the queen's announcement, to welcome Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, who will take over the queen's duties as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced Prince Harry as its new patron.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to have The Queen as Patron of the RFU for over 60 years. She has been a fantastic supporter of the union and we thank her for that and her contribution to the game of rugby in England," Ian Ritchie, CEO of the RFU, said in a statement, adding: “We welcome Prince Harry as our new Patron. He has been Vice Patron for a number of years already and a regular at England Tests at Twickenham. He has been a brilliant ambassador of our work in the community and our charities as well as internationally for the union as President of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.”

Queen Elizabeth is now the longest reigning living monarch in the world after the death of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October.

The queen will pass on the following patronages to other members of the royal family: