In 1862, Bradfield College's founder, the Rev. Thomas Stevens, obtained a charter from Queen Victoria which recognised the school's Warden and Trustees as a corporation in which land and property could be held perpetually.  In securing the grant, Stevens relied upon the assistance of two College trustees, who had been friends at Oxford University and at the time represented the University in the House of Commons, Sir William Heathcote and future Liberal Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.  Gladstone served on the Council (perhaps with an interruption) until 1888, and his long connection to the school was reflected in Headmaster Herbert Gray's invitation to attend the great Victorian statesman's state funeral in Westminster Abbey on 28 May 1898.  Although Bradfield's future had already been secured by the Trust of 1859, Stevens perhaps felt that the Royal Charter conferred a certain prestige upon the school and it became customary at formal dinners to toast 'Church and Queen' rather than the usual 'Church and State'. 

Stevens and the school's evident pride in the Royal Charter meant that it was put on public display for long periods of time in a large wooden frame, which has affected its physical condition.  In order to better care for its historical collections, several years ago Bradfield joined the National Conservation Service, which has provided advice about environmental monitoring, pest control, storage and other aspects of archival management.  The Royal Charter is currently being accessed by the NCS, which will put together a plan for its future preservation.