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The Duke of Sussex will Host Rugby League World Cup 2021 Draws

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The Duke of Sussex (centre), holding a gift of a small rugby shirt for his son Archie, as he attends a Terrence Higgins Trust event with former Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas (centre right) and Harlequin rugby club members and their captain Chris Robshaw (centre left) at the Stoop, Twickenham, ahead of National HIV Testing Week.

THE DUKE OF SUSSEX WILL HOST THE RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2021 DRAWS

Thursday 16th January 2020

The Duke of Sussex will host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 16th January 2020.

His Royal Highness was announced as Patron of the Rugby Football League in December 2016, succeeding Her Majesty The Queen, who held the role for 64 years.

The draws will be streamed live across the Royal Family and Rugby League World Cup 2021 Twitter and Facebook channels. Prior to the draws, the Duke will meet with representatives from all 21 nations taking part in the tournament, as well as watch children from a local school play rugby league in the Buckingham Palace gardens.

The Rugby League World Cup 2021
The tournament is the pinnacle event for rugby league and will take place from 23rd October – 27th November 2021 in 17 cities across England. Sixteen men’s, eight women’s and eight wheelchair nations from 21 nations, including Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, Greece, Jamaica, Italy, Ireland, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga and Wales, will be competing to be crowned world champions. It will be the first time in tournament history that the men’s, women’s and wheelchair events are held simultaneously.

The Duke of Sussex has always strongly believed in the role of sport to bring communities together and change people’s lives. Rugby League World Cup 2021 is keen to ensure a real social impact from the three tournaments, focusing on communities across some of the most deprived areas in England. Its InspirationalALL legacy programme includes the provision of funding to enable organisations to develop their facilities. The legacy programme will deliver initiatives covering health, culture and education using this major sporting event to engage local communities.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Visit Bradford

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Blackpool Tower, where they will join a round table briefing about the town's recent history and challenges.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE TO VISIT BRADFORD

Wednesday 15th January 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will travel to Bradford on Wednesday 15th January to visit a number of projects which support the community and promote cohesion within it, in one of the UK’s most diverse cities.

Their Royal Highnesses will first visit City Hall in Bradford’s Centenary Square to join a group of young people from across the community to hear about life in Bradford. The Duke and Duchess will then meet representatives from local employers and businesses who are helping young people into employment. Before departing Centenary Square, Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet members of the public gathered outside City Hall.

The Duke and Duchess will visit one of Bradford’s Khidmat Centres, whose main focus is to help the most vulnerable members of the community from minority ethnic backgrounds. On arrival, Their Royal Highnesses will hear about the activities and workshops offered at the centre, and the organisations that they support.

The Duke and Duchess will then join a session involving groups supported by Better Start Bradford, which delivers over 20 projects to pregnant women and families with children under the age of 4. Their Royal Highnesses will meet families from the ‘Older Yet Wiser’ project, a unique and innovative workshop series for grandparents who have child-caring responsibilities for their grandchildren. Participants in the workshop are given tools to enhance their relationship with their grandchildren whilst receiving up-to-date information on raising children in the 21st century.

The Duchess’s longstanding work on the early years has highlighted the importance of supporting children and families during this seminal period of their lives, and the importance of all members of society in raising children.

Finally, The Duke and Duchess will join a workshop run by Near Neighbours, an organisation which brings people together in communities across the UK that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community that they live in.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Mark UK-Africa Investment Summit

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Margallah Hills on the second day of the royal visit to Pakistan.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL HOST A RECEPTION TO MARK THE UK-AFRICA INVESTMENT SUMMIT

Monday 20th January 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, will host a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the UK-Africa Investment Summit on Monday 20th January.

The UK-Africa Investment Summit, hosted by the UK government, will take place in London on Monday 20 January. It will bring together heads of state and government and senior representatives from African countries, key multilateral agencies and high profile UK and African businesses.

The summit will demonstrate the strength of the relationship between the UK and Africa, showcase and promote the breadth and quality of investment opportunities across Africa, and highlight the UK’s commitment to supporting economic development in Africa, including through the creation of jobs and new partnerships.

The Duchess of Rothesay to Attend University of Aberdeen Special Graduation Ceremony

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The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland, visit Dunnottar Castle, the cliff top fortress which was once the home of the Earls Marischal, near Stonehaven.

THE DUCHESS OF ROTHESAY TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN SPECIAL GRADUATION CEREMONY AND BANCHORY SPORTS VILLAGE

Tuesday 14th January 2020

Engagement 1

The Duchess of Rothesay, Chancellor, University of Aberdeen, will attend a special graduation ceremony to confer honorary degrees upon Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Professor Janet Darbyshire. The Duchess will also present an award in recognition of outstanding service to the community at Elphinstone Hall, King’s College, Aberdeen AB24 3EE.

Around 400 guests – University alumni, staff, students, supporters and civic and industry leaders – will attend the formal ceremony.

The event will see The Duchess of Rothesay, as Chancellor, confer the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws upon The Princess Royal marking her outstanding contribution to public life and sport for more than four decades, with much of her work relating to education and charities based in Scotland.

Professor Darbyshire will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science for the significant impact she has made in clinical science over the past 40 years. Professor Darbyshire was awarded an OBE in 1996 and a CBE in 2010 for services to clinical sciences. In 2018, she was the first ever female recipient of the MRC Millennium Medal, awarded to an outstanding scientist who has made a major contribution to improve human health through world class medical research.

The Denis Law Legacy Trust will also be recognised at the ceremony, with The Principal’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Community. The Trust has worked with children and young people from across Aberdeen for many years. The organisation aims to reduce instances of youth crime and anti-social behaviour, promote heath and wellbeing and encourage inclusivity through sport, physical activity and creative endeavour.

During the ceremony the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir will sing a newly composed piece by the University’s Head of Music, Dr Phillip A. Cooke. A staff choir will also perform a newly written piece by the University’s Royal composer Professor Paul Mealor with words by Welsh poet Dr Grahame Davies.

After the ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses will meet and greet guests at a short reception.

Engagement 2 

The Duchess of Rothesay will visit and formally open Banchory Sports Village, a new state-of-the-art facility from Aberdeenshire Council supported by community fundraising. Her Royal Highness will tour the leisure facilities and meet community users taking part in various activities around the centre.

The new Banchory Sports Village opened to the public in August 2019. The £8.5 million facility at Hill of Banchory has been funded by Aberdeenshire Council with help from North Banchory Company who supported both the development land and links with the local renewable biomass heating system.

In addition, Banchory Sports Village Trust raised £700,00 for the project through extensive community fundraising.

The new centre provides state-of-the-art sporting facilities including a six-lane swimming pool suitable for competitions, a training pool, three-court sports hall, fitness room, two squash courts and accompanying changing and cafe areas, as well as areas specially designed to meet the needs of people with complex care needs.

The Prince of Wales to Visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

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HRH Prince of Wales officially opens the Moneypenny centre at Wrexham.
HRH Prince of Wales officially opens the Moneypenny centre at Wrexham. Prince Charles shares a joke with some of the workers.

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL VISIT ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

23rd January – 24th January 2020

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, on behalf of the British Government between Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th January. At the invitation of the Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin, The Prince will attend the World Holocaust Forum on 23rd January, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. His Royal Highness will also undertake a programme of engagements in Israel. At the invitation of Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, The Prince will later visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

His Royal Highness will begin his official programme on Thursday 23rd January. During his time in Israel, His Royal Highness will meet President Rivlin at his Official Residence in Jerusalem. The Prince will later attend the World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, where he will join other world leaders in honouring the memory of all those who were killed in the Holocaust. His Royal Highness is one of a small number of international visitors who have been asked to address the event. The Prince will also lay a wreath on behalf of the United Kingdom.

His Royal Highness will then undertake a number of engagements in Israel focused on his deep interest in Jewish faith and culture and on the vibrancy of the U.K. – Israel relationship.

On Friday 24th January His Royal Highness will travel to Bethlehem. Here The Prince will be received by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and will carry out a number of engagements reflecting Bethlehem’s historic religious significance.

Prince of Wales to Launch Sustainable Markets Council at World Economic Forum

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The Prince of Wales
The Prince of Wales greets members of the public at Victoria Park in Swansea, Wales

THE PRINCE OF WALES TO LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE MARKETS COUNCIL AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND

22nd January 2020

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will attend the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting on 22nd January 2020 where he will deliver a keynote address.

His Royal Highness will use the visit, his first in almost thirty years, to officially launch his Sustainable Markets Council. This initiative, founded by The Prince, with the support of the World Economic Forum, brings together leading international figures from the private, public and philanthropic sectors to find ways to rapidly decarbonize the global economy and make the transition to sustainable markets.

The Prince’s visit takes place as a stopover on the way to his visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories at the request of the British Government.

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting takes place in Davos, Switzerland between 21st and 24th January 2020.

The Duchess of Cornwall to Attend Official Commissioning Ceremony of HMS Prince of Wales

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The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Victoria Park and the Patti Pavilion for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Swansea's City status, granted to the city in 1969 following the Prince's investiture as Prince of Wales.

THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL, ACCOMPANIED BY THE PRINCE OF WALES, WILL ATTEND THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF HMS PRINCE OF WALES

Tuesday 10th December 2019

The Duchess of Cornwall, Ship’s Sponsor, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will attend the official Commissioning Ceremony of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth.

Their Royal Highnesses will arrive at Victory Jetty and use the gangway to board the ship. Her Royal Highness will be escorted by Commanding Officer Captain Darren Houston, and His Royal Highness by the Commander of HMS Prince of Wales, Commander Dan Thomas who will great TRHs on the jetty.

Their Royal Highnesses will enter the ship in the central Aircraft Hangar where the Commissioning Ceremony will take place, led by the Chaplain of the Fleet. Their Royal Highnesses will receive the Royal Salute from the Guard of Honour before the National Anthem is played by the Band of the Royal Marines. The Duchess will then inspect the front rank of the Royal Guard which is made up of the Ship’s Company and The Prince will inspect the rear rank, before returning to a dais.

The Commanding Officer will read the Commissioning Warrant and the White Ensign will be hoisted for the first time on the Flight Deck (this will be broadcast on large screens down in the hangar). Her Royal Highness will then address the 3,000 guests gathered for the ceremony, followed by an address by Captain Houston. The final part of the ceremony, in accordance with naval tradition, will see the Commanding Officer’s partner and the youngest member of the ship’s company cut the Commissioning Cake made by Royal Navy chefs.

Following the ceremony Their Royal Highnesses will join a reception and meet with members of the ship’s company and contractors involved in the shipbuilding. Following the reception, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will meet chefs who created the Commissioning Cake and stewards who organised the reception before signing the visitors’ book.

HMS Prince of Wales

HMS Prince of Wales is the second of the Royal Navy’s two new aircraft carriers, and the sister ship of HMS Queen Elizabeth. The 65,000-tonne ship arrived into Portsmouth for the first time last month, following a series of sea trials after setting sail from the Firth of Forth in September. The Commissioning Ceremony will mark the ship’s acceptance into the Royal Navy Fleet, marked by the hoisting of the White Ensign (flag) for the first time.

HMS Prince of Wales’ crew will have an expansive range of skills and will be able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world, including humanitarian relief maritime security operations and warfighting.

Facts & figures:

  • A crew of at least 700 will serve on board but it has an embarked force capacity of about 1,600 personnel.
  • HMS Prince of Wales has the capacity to embark 36 F-35 Lightening jets and four Merlin Mark 4 helicopters depending on operational tasking.
  • Its flight deck is 70m wide and 280m long – as big as three football pitches – and it holds 45 days’ worth of food in stores.
  • From keel to the top of its highest mast, the ship is taller than Nelson’s Column.

Previous visits by TRHs to HMS Prince of Wales

In September 2017, Their Royal Highnesses attended the official Naming Ceremony at Rosyth Royal Dockyard, Fife. During the traditional ceremony, The Duchess in her role as the Ship’s Sponsor gave the signal for a bottle of whisky to be smashed against the hull of HMS Prince of Wales.

The Duchess said at the Naming Ceremony: “As Lady Sponsor, I take great pride in my own personal connections with the Royal Navy. For almost ten years now, I have been Commodore in Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service and of the naval chaplaincy service. My closest connection with our great Navy is through another Admiral, my husband, another Prince of Wales. So I already feel a particular affection for this ship. I name this ship Prince of Wales. May God bless her and all who sail in her.”

The Prince of Wales also visited Babcock’s Rosyth Facilities in June 2016, and in an historic moment, His Royal Highness gave the order for the final section, which included part of the flight deck, to be lowered into place by the Goliath crane. This allowed the final welding to start in order to make the carrier structurally complete.

The Duchess of Cornwall’s military appointments associated with The Royal Navy:

Royal Naval Medical Service – Commodore-in-Chief

H.M.S. ASTUTE – Lady Sponsor

Naval Chaplaincy Service – Commodore-in-Chief

H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES – Lady Sponsor

CATCH UP on The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s most recent engagements in the latest issue of Royal Life.

North of the Border - The Scottish Duke
Prince Charles is known as The Duke of Rothesay when visiting Scotland, and the UK’s northernmost country is a destination that has featured in his travels quite a lot recently, as we report here…

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to Attend Royal Film Performance™ of “1917”

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Royals at Royal Ascot
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Royal Ascot, 18 June 2019.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL WILL ATTEND THE ROYAL FILM PERFORMANCE OF “1917”

Wednesday 4th December 2019

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Royal Film Performance™ of “1917” in aid of The Film and TV Charity at the ODEON Luxe, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LQ.

Their Royal Highnesses will arrive at the ODEON Luxe where they will meet John Pike and Alex Pumfrey (Chairman and CEO of The Film and TV Charity) plus representatives from and supporters of The Film and TV Charity in the foyer.

TRH will then meet the director, Sam Mendes, upstairs alongside producers and stars of the film including George Mackay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Mark Strong and Claire Duburcq.

Her Royal Highness will be presented with a posy before moving into the auditorium to view the film.

1917

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

The History of the Royal Film Performance™

The first Royal Command Film Performance of “A Matter of Life and Death” took place at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square in 1946 and was attended by King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Since then, The Film and TV Charity has held 70 fundraising Royal Film Performance™ events.

The Royal Film Performance™ was created as a unique event to support the work of The Film and TV Charity. The world premiere of “1917”, directed by Sam Mendes, will be the 71st Royal Film Performance™ delivered by the charity in its almost 100-year history.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall last attended a Royal Film Performance™ in February 2015 for the showing of “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. The Royal Film Performance™ of “Spectre”, which was also directed by Sam Mendes, took place in October 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall and was attended by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Prince Harry (now The Duke of Sussex).

The Film and TV Charity

The Royal Film Performance™ raises money for the Film and TV Charity. The Film and TV Charity works behind the scenes of the film, television and cinema industry in the UK. From research to writing, through casting and production, to editing, sales, distribution and exhibition, the organisation supports the lives of everyone involved.

Money raised from the Royal Film Performance™ will help the organisation to develop programmes in order to improve mental health support for its sector. It will also help them to run services like their Film and TV Support Line, a completely free, 24/7 helpline for issues including debt, depression and harassment.

The Film and TV Charity was founded as the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund in 1924 and later became The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. HM The Queen has been Patron of the charity since 1952.

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of The Film and TV Charity, said “We’re honoured to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to what will be the 71st Royal Film Performance™, shining a light on everyone working behind the scenes of the UK’s thriving film and television industry.”

“The funds raised at this event will mean that we can continue to support the dedicated people working in film and TV with services like our 24 hour Support Line, talent awards and hardship grants.”

The Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales is an avid supporter of those working in the Film and Television industry.

HRH is Patron of The British Film Institute which promotes understanding of and access to film and television culture, and operates a film archive. In December 2018, The Prince of Wales visited the BFI Southbank to celebrate 40 years as Patron of the British Film Institute. Early this year, The Prince of Wales, visited the James Bond set at Pinewood Studios.

The Prince of Wales is also President of the Royal Television Society, the leading forum for discussion and debate on all aspects of the television community.

CATCH UP on The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s most recent engagements in the latest issue of Royal Life.

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Prince Charles is known as The Duke of Rothesay when visiting Scotland, and the UK’s northernmost country is a destination that has featured in his travels quite a lot recently, as we report here…

What’s happening at Historic Royal Palaces, January – March 2020?

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Tower of London

What’s happening at Historic Royal Palaces, January – March 2020?

As we head into a new decade, celebrate 2020 in style with a variety of exciting events and activities across the palaces.

In February and March, Kensington Palace invites guests to immerse themselves in the drama of the court of Queen Caroline and Henrietta Howard (her husband’s mistress!) as Historic Royal Palaces partners with renowned theatre company Les Enfants Terrible on a ground-breaking after-hours immersive theatre experience; United Queendom.

Meanwhile, during February Half Term at Hampton Court Palace, an ageing Queen Elizabeth I needs help to uncover treasonous plots and is recruiting spies for her mission! Visitors will have the chance to uncover and decipher puzzling codes and clues to help the Queen in this family-friendly activity. To celebrate LGBT History Month in February, at the Tower of London Historic Royal Palaces is launching a new series of after-hours LGBT+ tours. These intimate evenings explore the history of London’s most famous fortress through the lens of changing attitudes to gender and sexuality, sharing stories of figures from this iconic building’s history from the Medieval period to present day.

For more information, visit Historic Royal Palaces. 

 

United Queendom

Selected dates in February and March

Kensington Palace

Experience the premiere of a unique after-hours immersive experience at Kensington Palace, created with Olivier nominated theatre company Les Enfants Terribles. Delving into the world of political intrigue, court games, high drama, scandalous gossip and smiling through gritted teeth, this theatrical experience presents two separate journeys highlighting the stories of Queen Caroline – a former resident of the palace – and her husband’s mistress, Henrietta Howard. It will bring to life two brilliant women who might have otherwise been lost in the shadow of their king, exploring how they made their mark on their world and ours.

Tickets: £55, £35 for Historic Royal Palaces members. Ticket includes a drink.

 

LGBT+ Tours at the Tower

Sunday evenings 9 February – 15 March

Tower of London

Discover 1000 years of queer history on this immersive evening tour at the Tower of London. This intimate after-hours experience explores the history of the Tower of London through the lens of changing attitudes to gender and sexuality. Uncover King Edward II’s close male friendships and examine how King Henry VIII’s criminalisation of homosexual acts shaped viewpoints for over 400 years. Moving on to the 20th Century, the tour will shed light on how the alleged homosexuality of prisoner Roger Casement was used in Parliament to build a case against him, and the real danger posed by queer sexual slander.

Tickets: £25

 

Celebrating 500 years of the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula

Selected dates 8 January – 17 November

Tower of London

In 2020 the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London celebrates its 500-year anniversary. Built in 1520, the Chapel is perhaps best known as the burial place of some of the Tower’s most famous prisoners, including three Queens of England: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey. To mark this very special milestone there will be a series of commemorative events running throughout the year, from lectures exploring the fascinating history of the Chapel to intimate choral performances by one of the nation’s finest chapel choirs, the Choir of the Chapels Royal, HM Tower of London. Guest speakers will include Tracy Borman, who is delivering a lecture on Henry VIII and the men who made him on 11 February.

See the Historic Royal Palaces website for more details on events and timings.

 

Knight School

15 – 23 February, daily 11:00 – 16:00

Tower of London

Become a knight for the day at the Tower of London. In the shadow of the imposing White Tower kids will learn all the essential components of a knight’s arsenal; from manners, etiquette and entertainment, to martial skills and fitness. Curious knights-in-training will see how heavy plate armour really is, design their very own coat of arms, test their new-found knightly knowledge and much more.

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

Elizabeth I and her Spy Masters

15 – 23 February

Hampton Court Palace

Queen Elizabeth I is in residence at Hampton Court Palace this February half term and is on the hunt for trainee spy masters to solve clues, uncover evidence and stop potential treasonous plots! Little ones will have the chance to become a spy, meeting some of the suspects in her court along the way, whilst deciphering mysterious codes and listening in on secret conversations. It will then be time to report back to the Queen on the discoveries about her wayward courtiers! Visitors can also pay a visit to The Lost Dress of Elizabeth I display, which showcases what is believed to be the only surviving item from her wardrobe.

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

 

Story Time

19 January, 9 February and 8 March, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45 and 14:45

Kensington Palace

Story Time is a lively interactive storytelling session perfect for under 7’s and their families. Each month, visitors can experience a different picture book, and discover new stories, with songs, rhymes and more. January’s story, Wild, by Emily Hughes, tells the story of Peter the Wild Boy who came to live at Kensington Palace and will see those gathered around getting to grips with their wild side!

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

 

Rainbow Stories: Parties, Poetry and Pride

15-23 February – 11:00 – 15:30

Kensington Palace

This half term, join us as we celebrate LGBT+ history at Kensington Palace. Meet Queen Caroline as she hosts a party in the absence of her husband King George II, with the outrageous Lord Hervey as the guest of honour. Fellow party-goers will hear about his relationship with Caroline’s son and help to restore his reputation as one of the greatest poets of the era following a character assassination by his contemporary Alexander Pope. Inspired by Lord Hervey’s poetic flair, there will be drop-in poetry sessions throughout the week, and to truly blend in with the Georgian crowd, guests will have the opportunity to create their own look. Expect exciting attendees, plenty of colour, and plenty of flair!

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

 

Your Day at Court

17 January – 31 March (excluding 15-23 February)

Kensington Palace

Experience the court of George II at Kensington Palace in all its splendour this spring, with a chance to meet some of the characters who called Kensington their home and discover the intrigue and etiquette of their daily life. The witty and intelligent Queen Caroline is in attendance, holding court in her husband’s absence.

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

 

Life in the Medieval Palace

2 January – 14 February, 24 February – 31 March.

Tower of London

Step back in time to 1278 as King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile enjoy their newly built apartments at the Tower. Meet characters from the past and enjoy live drama exploring the Tower’s rich Medieval history.

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members

 

Storytime Adventures

12 January, 2 February, 1 March, 11.45, 13.00, 14.15 (20mins)

Hampton Court Palace

Settle down and get cosy inside the palace’s historic State Apartments as our expert storytellers regale visitors with tales that bring the history of Hampton Court Palace to life.

Included in palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces Members.

 

Hillsborough Castle Inventors’ Club, in partnership with NI Science Festival

22 February

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Hillsborough Castle is no stranger to inventors,  with America’s Founding Father visiting the Castle in the 1770s. Inspired by Franklin’s famous kite experiment, which revealed the electrical nature of lightning , families can explore some of history’s other ground-breaking inventions; from Edison’s kinetoscope to Harry Ferguson’s pioneering flight, in this fun and interactive workshop hosted in partnership with the NI Science Festival. Budding little brainiacs can even have a go at making and designing their own inventions!

Admission is free with a castle or gardens ticket. All children must be accompanied.

 

An Evening of Drink and Drugs at Hillsborough Castle, in partnership with NI Science Festival

22 February, 7pm

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

For thousands of years people have partaken in a variety of state-altering substances; from tobacco and alcohol through to laudanum and cocaine. Discover expert insight into legal highs through the ages in this fascinating discussion evening held in the castle’s spectacular Throne Room, followed by cocktails and even cabaret entertainment.

Admission £18 including a beverage

The Duchess of Cornwall to Visit Emmaus Greenwich and The Fan Museum

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The Duchess of Cornwall, in her role President of the Royal Voluntary Service, during her visit to the Dolau Bran Lunch Club to celebrate the club's 40th anniversary at Dol Y Wern in Llandovery.

THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL WILL UNDERTAKE ENGAGEMENTS IN GREENWICH

Wednesday 4th December 2019

Engagement 1 

The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, will visit Emmaus Greenwich in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Her Royal Highness will tour the Plumstead charity shop, meeting companions, volunteers and staff, before joining a reception in recognition of their silver anniversary.

Emmaus is a homelessness charity with a difference, giving people not just a bed for a night, but a home for as long as they need it, meaningful work and a sense of belonging. The first Emmaus opened in 1992 and there are now 29 communities (residential sites) spread across the UK.

Emmaus helps more than 800 companions (formerly homeless people), by providing them with on-going support, a home and work in an Emmaus social enterprise. Living in a stable environment with the opportunity to gain new skills helps the companions to regain any lost self-esteem and confidence so they can get back on their feet.

Emmaus Greenwich is based in Plumstead and was opened in 1994 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Emmaus founder Abbé Pierre. Currently the community offers a home to 34 companions, who work both in the main superstore on the community site in Plumstead and in two other shops in Lewisham and Poplar. Since opening, the charity has provided a home and meaningful work for over 750 people who have experienced homelessness and social exclusion.

Research shows that for every £1 invested in a community, there is an £11 social, environmental and economic return, with savings to the benefits bill, health services and a reduction in crime.

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, has been Patron of Emmaus (UK) since 2006.

Engagement 2

The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, will visit The Fan Museum and tour the latest semi-permanent exhibition, showcasing the diversity of the collection. Her Royal Highness will then join a fan making class with a group from Royal Voluntary Service, of which The Duchess is President, taking part in the First time for Everything programme.

Her Royal Highness has been Patron of the Fan Museum since 2008 and President of Royal Voluntary Service since 2012.

The Fan Museum

The Fan Museum is an independent museum that opened to the public in 1991, housed in two adjoining Georgian townhouses in Greenwich. It is the first museum of its kind in the world, and for reasons of conservation, it changes its exhibits about three times a year.

Based on the Hélène Alexander (Founder & Director) collection, with the addition of numerous bequests and donations over the years, the museum is now home to some 8,000 fans and fan leaves from all over the world – the earliest dating from the 12th century. Collections and individual fans are often loaned and exhibited worldwide. The museum also comprises an extensive reference library open to researchers by special request.

Royal Voluntary Service

The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with nearly 20,000 volunteers a year supporting the NHS and helping people in the community to age well. The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes and shops providing a valued haven in hospitals.

In the community, RVS runs a raft of activities, clubs and services that provide older people with the opportunity to forge vital social connections that have a positive effect on their physical and mental health. The charity joined forces with Prudential three years ago to launch First Time for Everything, a programme designed to give older people an opportunity to try a new social activity for free in their local community each month to improve quality of life. These have included paddle boarding, seated archery, zip wiring and even Bollywood dancing. Since the programme began in 2017, RVS has run more than 500 First Time for Everything events in locations in England, Scotland and Wales, with 5,000 people benefitting.

CATCH UP on The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s most recent engagements in the latest issue of Royal Life.

North of the Border - The Scottish Duke
Prince Charles is known as The Duke of Rothesay when visiting Scotland, and the UK’s northernmost country is a destination that has featured in his travels quite a lot recently, as we report here…

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