The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a not-for-profit institution founded in 1910, dedicated to promoting international friendship pursuant to its

royal charter A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, but ...

, an ethos which binds its global membership. ROSL has a Grade I listed clubhouse in the heart of St James's, London, and a programme of events including a public affairs series which focusses on geopolitical issues, concerts, art exhibitions, and fine food and wine occasions. The extensive heritage Clubhouse includes a dining room, over 80 bedrooms, events spaces and a garden overlooking

Green Park The Green Park, one of the Royal Parks of London, is in the City of Westminster, Central London. Green Park is to the north of the gardens and semi-circular forecourt of Buckingham Palace, across Constitution Hill road. The park is in the m ...

where members enjoy ''al fresco'' dining in the summer. ROSL promotes young musicians and visual artists through an arts programme, including the Annual Music Competition, which is over 70 years old. In 2021, the organisation introduced the Public Affairs Series and Annual Lecture, a series of events and debates featuring journalists and broadcasters, ambassadors, politicians and thought leaders. The ROSL Foundation, its associated charity, supports music, arts and heritage.

Leadership

ROSL’s Patron is HM The King Charles III. Vice-Patron HRH Princess Alexandra KG GCVO, the President is The Rt Hon The Lord Geidt GCB GCVO OBE QSO PC, the Director General since 2020 is Dr Annette Prandzioch, and its Chairman, Helen Prince.

Facilities and Activities

The clubhouse has 83 bedrooms, many with views across the Royal Park or across the skyline of

Westminster Westminster is the main settlement of the City of Westminster in Central London, Central London, England. It extends from the River Thames to Oxford Street and has many famous landmarks, including the Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, ...

. Members and their guests enjoy a varied choice of dining, from relaxed and informal in the Duke of York Bar and Garden, through to afternoon tea in the Drawing Room, to fine dining menus and wines served in the 1910 Dining Room. The art deco dining room was refurbished in 2022. It has a chef team and collaborations with celebrity chefs Irini Tzortzoglou, Cyrus Todiwala an
Daren Liew
Members and commercial event planners are welcome to host both corporate and private events and celebrations within any of the nine event spaces. Six Park Place is the ROSL commercial venue. ROSL publishes a quarterly journal called ''Overseas'', which comprises contemporary features written by renowned journalists, members' articles and information about forthcomin
events
and the arts programme. Membership allows access to various events, including the Public Affairs Series and Annual Lecture, which is an introduction of intellectual content, discussing geopolitical issues with keynote speakers. Recent speakers include

Michael Gove Michael Andrew Gove, Baron Gove (; born Graeme Andrew Logan, 26 August 1967) is a British politician and journalist who served in various Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet positions under David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rish ...

, Rt Hon. Lord William Hague of Richmond, Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard,

Scott Morrison Scott John Morrison (born 13 May 1968) is an Australian former politician who served as the 30th prime minister of Australia from 2018 to 2022. He held office as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, leader of the Liberal Party and was ...

, Sir John Sawers, Lord Andrew Roberts, Lord Frost, Baroness Catherine Ashton, and Lord Robertson. ROSL enjoys connections with talented music performers such as Joseph Calleja.

Membership

The ROSL has 11,000 members worldwide. Membership fees are based on proximity to the London clubhouse, or age, with those aged 17 to 25 enjoying a reduced rate of membership. To become part of the organisation requires a proposer.

Annual Music Competition

ROSL organises a worldwide annual competition for musicians aged 30 and under. There are four solo section awards and two ensemble awards; the solo section winners then compete for the competition gold medal and first prize. The competition celebrates over 70 years of success in supporting and promoting young talented musicians, past winners include;

Jacqueline du Pré Jacqueline may refer to: People * Jacqueline (given name), including a list of people with the name * Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), ring name "Jacqueline", American professional wrestler Arts and entertainment * ''Jacqueline'' (1923 film) ...

, Melvyn Tan, Piers Lane, Jonathan Lemalu, Sean Shibe and the Marmen Quartet. ROSL offers many performance opportunities to prize-winners after the competition at major venues such as

Wigmore Hall The Wigmore Hall is a concert hall at 36 Wigmore Street, in west London. It was designed by Thomas Edward Collcutt and opened in 1901 as the Bechstein Hall; it is considered to have particularly good building acoustics, acoustics. It specialis ...

. The organisation has established relationships with many UK festivals and promoters including Brighton, Buxton, Cambridge Summer Music, and North Norfolk. ROSL’s award-winning series of chamber music concerts in Edinburgh is a fixture of the

Edinburgh Fringe Festival The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (also referred to as the Edinburgh Fringe, the Fringe or the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is the world's largest performance arts festival, which in 2024 spanned 25 days, sold more than 2.6 million tickets and featur ...

. These programmes offer this group of young extraordinary talent an artistic home with experienced mentorship and advice, networking, promotional support and concert opportunities around the world.

ROSL Foundation

The ROSL Foundation (Charity no. 306095) was established on 1 January 1960 to mark the ROSL’s Golden Jubilee. The Hon. Alexander Downer AC is the Chairman of Trustees.

Arms

References

External links

*
Former ROSL location in Edinburgh
{{Authority control Gentlemen's clubs in London Patriotic societies Commonwealth Family International non-profit organizations British Empire Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster Organizations established in 1910 Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage St James's