NATALIE PRAY, MBE

Natalie Pray with HRH Princess Anne and speaking at SGSNY event

In 2024, HM The King awarded Natalie Pray an MBE Medal as a Former President of St. Georges Society of New York for services to UK/US Cultural Relations and to Philanthropy.

UNITED NATIONS CAREER

Born in Australia, Natalie Thomas Pray was an officer with the United Nations in New York from 1961 through 1995. Her career with the United Nations spanned the political, humanitarian, development, budget and management fields.

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

After marrying Malcolm Pray in 1995, her volunteer activities in New York, Greenwich, Connecticut and Palm Beach, Florida, have included: 

ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

Natalie Pray chaired the English Ball for St. George's Society for seven years (1996-2002) raising over $2 million for its charitable mission. 

In 2001, she became the first female officer of St. George's Society, and in 2005 became the 95th and first woman President since the Society was founded in 1770.

As President, Mrs. Pray established the Advisory Council for St. George's Society and remains a Member of the Council.

Mrs. Pray was a member of the Society's Beneficiaries Committee for over five years, and chaired the Honors Committee for eight years (1996-2004). She established a Scholarship Committee, awarding the Society’s first scholarships to students of British and Commonwealth heritage in 2008.

In 2007, she became Chairman of the Society's Development Campaign raising over $3 million.

In January 2013, she was awarded The Order of St. George.

In May 2017, she  received the Society's Medal of Honor at the English Ball.

THE ENGLISH SPEAKING UNION

Natalie Pray was elected to the ESU National Board of Directors in 2006 serving two terms.

She has been President of the Greenwich Branch of The English Speaking Union in Greenwich since 2007. 

She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach Branch of the English Speaking Union.

HRH Princess Anne presented Mrs. Pray with THE PRINCESS ROYAL AWARD on 3 October 2022, for over 25 years an officer serving the ESU at the National level, President in Greenwich and on the Board in Palm Beach.

OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Mrs. Pray is a member of the following:

  • The Board of Directors, Boy Scouts of America, Greenwich

  • The American Board of Directors, St.Martin-in-the-Fields, London

  • The American Board of Directors, Westminster Abbey, London

  • The American Board of Directors, London Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Director Emeritus, American Board, Globe Theatre, London

  • The American Board of Directors, Greenwich Palace, London

  • Commander (CStJ), The Order of St. John

  • Friends of St. George’s and Descendants of Knights of the Garter

In addition, Mrs. Pray has chaired and serves on numerous charitable committees for fundraising events in Greenwich, New York and Palm Beach, Florida.

PUBLICATIONS

Natalie Pray has authored two books about her travels in Europe and America with Malcolm Pray and his collection of classic cars: Malcolm's French Mistress and Malcolm's Metal Mistress.