The new Society commenced its operations under most favourable auspices. King William IV. not only became its Patron, but was also pleased to grant an annual donation of fifty guineas to constitute a premium for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery. His Majesty desired that the title should be the “Royal Geographical Society.”

The African Association was merged in the Geographical Society, and Mr. Bartle Frere, as its representative, became a Member of the Council. The Palestine Association, which had been formed early in the century, also resolved that, as the Geographical Society embraced, in its views, purposes similar to those for which the Palestine Association had been instituted, their funds, papers, and books should be made over to the Society, to be employed as the Council may think fit for the promotion of geographical discovery.

In 1832 a Geographical Society was formed at Bombay, having in view the elucidation of the geography of Western India and the surrounding countries, and mainly supported by the distinguished surveyors of the Indian Navy. The Bombay Society, in a letter from the Secretary dated the 6th of June, 1832, desired to form a junction with that of London, and to be considered a branch of it, not only that it might ensure its own stability, but that it might acquire additional usefulness and efficiency from the patronage and counsels of the European institution.