The Prince of Wales has become the patron of World Jewish Relief, the charity has announced.

It is the first time the royal has been patron of a Jewish organisation working outside of the UK

Nigel Layton, WJR life vice-president, said the charity was delighted.

He said: “The support of His Royal Highness demonstrates once again the close connection between the royal family, World Jewish Relief and the UK Jewish community.”

WJR chairman James Libson, said: “At this critical juncture for the communities we help - particularly in Ukraine and Nepal - the patronage of His Royal Highness could not be better timed. We are immensely grateful for his long-term commitment to a set of values we share and which we will more effectively be able to implement with the added boost of his support.”

WJR runs projects tackling poverty within the Jewish and responds to international disasters, with most of it work based in the former Soviet Union.

Its appeal for victims for the Nepal earthquake has raised over £500,000

Prince Charles has been a supporter of the charity for 12 years. He was patron of its Krakow community centre which he opened the centre in 2008.

He was also patron of WJR’s Wohl livelihood development programme, which helped over 2,000 people in the Ukraine.