Following a meeting of the Privy Council yesterday (10 March 2026), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) can today announce that His Majesty King Charles III has approved the application to amend our Royal Charter.

Almost a year since the historic positive Special Resolution Vote by members on changes to our Royal Charter, which mandated our becoming a royal college and a registered charity, RPS will become the Royal College of Pharmacy on 15 April  2026. As part of the changes, a wholly owned limited subsidiary for publishing activities is being created.

Our application to become a registered charity is with the charity regulators in England and Wales (the Charity Commission) and in Scotland (the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR) and we are hopeful of positive news on this matter in the near future.

The process of bringing about the necessary changes to our structure and governance is underway and include the appointment of a Chair of Trustees and Shadow Board, while inaugural elections to the Royal College of Pharmacy three National Pharmacy Advisory Councils are currently underway. Voting closes today at 5pm. Results will be announced on Friday 13 March.

Read more about our Royal Charter 

Read more about the Privy Council