The practice of members of the Canadian Royal Family giving their patronage to Canadian organizations stems from that which started in the United Kingdom in pre-industrial times, when all development of the sciences and arts were under the direct control of the monarch and exercised by the foundation of colleges that today form the basis of modern universities. Today, royal patronage is a ceremonial function wherein the royal person will either volunteer their time for service or make charitable donations, in order to help bring recognition to the group's achievements and to the contributions of different sectors of public life. Any organization may apply for royal patronage, via the Office of the Governor General; however, to receive the honour, an organization must prove to be long lasting and have aims and objectives that will earn the approval of the person from whom patronage is requested. Also, patronage is typically granted to athletic, artistic, cultural, or charitable organizations; rarely to corporate or for-profit companies. Some charities and volunteer organizations have been founded as gifts to, or in honour of, some of Canada's monarchs or members of the Royal Family, such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (a gift to Queen Victoria for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897), the Canadian Cancer Fund (set up in honour of King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935), and the Queen Elizabeth II Fund to Aid in Research on the Diseases of Children.

King Charles III

King Charles III is the patron of the following organizations:

Prince Andrew, Duke of York

Prince Andrew was the patron of the following organizations, until returning these patronages to the Queen in 2022:

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Edward is the patron of the following organizations:

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duchess of Edinburgh is the patron of the following organizations:

Anne, Princess Royal

Princess Anne is the patron of the following organizations:

Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy

Princess Alexandra is the patron of the following organizations:

Civilian

Military

Viceroys

The viceroys are the patrons of the following organizations:

New Brunswick

Ontario

Civilian

Military

Former patronages

Queen Elizabeth II

Before her 2022 death, Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the following organizations:

Civilian

Military

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Civilian

Military

Queen Alexandra

Queen Alexandra is the patron of the following organization: