The Royal Family’s Commonwealth Engagements leading into CHOGM 2018

As previously announced, the United Kingdom will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April 2018, with events to take place across Royal Palaces. The following Royal engagements will take place in the lead up to CHOGM, with further information and details on Members of the Royal Family who will be in attendance, to be announced in due course.

14th February, 2018 – Commonwealth Diaspora Reception
Her Majesty The Queen will host a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Commonwealth Diaspora Community. To learn more, click here.

19th February, 2018 – Commonwealth Fashion Exchange Reception
A reception to celebrate the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange will be held at Buckingham Palace, hosted on behalf of The Queen by Their Royal Highnesses The Duchess of Cambridge and The Countess of Wessex. To learn more, click here.

12th March, 2018 – Commonwealth Day
The Queen and Members of The Royal Family will attend the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, which is broadcast live on the BBC. In the evening there will be a Reception at Marlborough House, home of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

4th April – 15th April, 2018 – Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, Australia
The Prince of Wales will represent The Queen at the opening of the XXI Commonwealth Games. The Earl of Wessex will also attend in his capacity as Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

16th – 20th April, 2018 – Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
The week will begin with Commonwealth themed forums on the topics of Business, Women, Youth and People to be held at the QEII Centre and Guildhall.

Thursday 19th April, 2018 – Buckingham Palace
 Formal opening of CHOGM by Her Majesty The Queen
 Her Majesty will host a lunch reception for new Heads of Government
 Her Majesty will host a dinner for all Heads of Government and spouses

Friday 20th April, 2018 – Windsor Castle
 Retreat for Heads of Government

The Queen has been Head of the Commonwealth throughout her 65 year reign. This is an important symbolic and unifying role. As Head, Her Majesty personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world.

Throughout Her Majesty’s reign, the Commonwealth has grown from just seven nations to 52 members representing over 2.4 billion people. During this time, The Queen has undertaken more than 200 visits to Commonwealth countries and visited every country of the Commonwealth (with the exception of Cameroon, which joined in 1995 and Rwanda which joined in 2009) as well as making many repeat visits.

There are two major projects which have been launched in recognition of Her Majesty’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth – the Queen’s Young Leaders and the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC)
Launched by The Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in 2015, an appeal was made to all 52 Commonwealth nations to contribute areas of indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity to mark Her Majesty’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

Since then, around 39 Commonwealth countries have dedicated forestry projects or are planting new forests, with another 10 countries in the process of finalising their submissions. By the time of CHOGM in 2018, it is expected that all nations of the Commonwealth will have joined the QCC initiative to create a global network of indigenous forests to benefit communities and wildlife, now, and into the future.

Queen’s Young Leaders (QYL)
The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme was launched in 2014 by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society.

The programme recognises and celebrates inspiring young people from across the Commonwealth who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives.

Each year from 2014 to 2018, 60 exceptional young people have been selected to receive a Queen’s Young Leaders Award and become ‘Queen’s Young Leaders’ – one for every year that The Queen had served as Head of the Commonwealth at the time of her Diamond Jubilee.

The final round of winners of the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards was announced in December.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.

What’s happening at Historic Royal Palaces, April-June 2018?

From historic cookery to Easter egg hunting and pub quizzing, there’s a whole range of activities visitors can enjoy at Historic Royal Palaces this spring.

In May, the Tower of London launches an exciting summer season of live performances exploring Anne Boleyn’s last seventeen days in the Tower from her imprisonment, through to her trial and execution. Follow Anne’s story from hope to hopelessness as events dramatically unfold within the walls of the famous fortress. The Tower also welcomes the award winning writer, artist and performer, Innua Ellams as its Poet in Residence for 2018. In collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, Ellams will be curating a series of poetry, spoken word and performance events called Confessions at the Tower; mixing re-imagined historic records with real confessions from some of the country’s most exciting contemporary poets.

The famous Tudor Kitchens at Hampton Court Palace – the most extensive surviving royal Tudor kitchen range in the world – will undergo an exciting transformation ahead of its reopening in time for May bank holiday. With new interactive technology and sensory experiences, the kitchens will be bought to life like never before. Meanwhile, the Lindt Gold Bunny Easter Trail returns for another year, with a fun-filled family adventure winding through the palace and its spectacular gardens.

HIGHLIGHTS

Arrest and Last Days of Anne Boleyn
6 May – 27 August
Tower of London

Follow the dramatic story of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, through her arrest, imprisonment, trial and execution at the Tower of London. From hope to hopelessness, watch Anne’s journey unfold in this 40 minute live performance which will be staged twice per day.
Included in palace admission.

Horrible Histories live on stage with Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians
26 May – 2 June
Hampton Court Palace

Dive into the world of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians this May with Horrible Histories live on stage, with a chance to see the horrible history of Britain…with the nasty bits left in! Encounter some of your favourite historical characters, from King George III to the Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale, in this open-air hour-long performance during the May half term.
Tickets: Adult £12 / Child £7 / Under 5’s Free – Tickets go on sale at the end of March. Please note these scenes have appeared in productions of Barmy Britain.

Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt
26 March – 15 April
Hampton Court Palace

The Lindt Gold Bunnies will return to Hampton Court Palace this Easter, hiding in the palace and gardens, awaiting discovery. With new stories exploring Hampton Court’s chocolate-related history to be discovered with every bunny found, there’ll even be the chance to claim a delicious chocolate prize!
Included in palace admission.

Tudor Kitchens re-opening
Open daily from 5 May
Hampton Court Palace

May will see a complete re-imagining of the famous Tudor kitchens, transporting visitors back to a time when they were the beating heart of life at Hampton Court Palace, and overseen by the tenacious Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister. New displays in the kitchens will feature interactive technology and sensory experiences, so for the first time ever visitors will be able to see, smell and touch their way through the process of preparing a meal fit for a king.
Included in palace admission.

EVENTS

Easter family activities
30 March – 6 April
Kensington Palace

Meet Queen Mary II at Kensington Palace this Easter, with drop-in sessions and family activities exploring her story and offering visitors the opportunity to create paper Chinese vases to add to her precious collection.
Included in palace admission.

Here Be Dragons exhibition and trail
From 1 April
Kew Palace

To mark the re-opening of the Great Pagoda at Kew this summer, little ones will be able to enter the world of dragons and dragonologists at the Here Be Dragons exhibition. Once they’ve learned what it takes, it’s time to go on a dragon discovery adventure and find the five fearsome dragons located around the gardens.  The adventure begins at the Welcome Centre next to Kew Palace.
Included in admission to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Confessions at the Tower of London
19 April, 24 May and 28 June, 19:00-20:45
Tower of London

The Tower’s Poet in Residence for 2018, Innua Ellams, curates a series of poetry, spoken word and performance events with Confessions at the Tower. Hear live performances from award-winning poets, beatboxers, essayists and storytellers as they explore stories inspired by the Tower’s 1000 year history. Themes range from power (19 April) through to condemnation (24 May) and slander (28 June), with performances taking place within the atmospheric chapel of St Peter’s ad Vincula.
Tickets: £20.00 / £18.00 HRP members, suitable for ages 18+.

New perspectives on the Tower and the Medieval Jewish community
24 April 2018, 20:00
Tower of London

Dr Lucy Worsley, Chief Curator, Historic Royal Palaces, chairs a debate on the fascinating relationship between the Jewish community and the Tower of London. Inspired by brand new curatorial research, discover the history of the medieval Jewish community in this compelling talk.
Tickets: £15 / £13.50 HRP members.

Palace Pub Quiz
Friday 8 June, 19:00-21:30
Banqueting House

Returning for a third year, Banqueting House will host a special pub quiz with a difference. Be inspired by the beautiful ceiling painted by Sir Peter Paul Rubens as you put your knowledge to the test on current affairs, music, culture and royalty. There will be a few rounds for the history lovers but plenty of other subjects as well, so pick your team wisely for this fun, fast-paced quiz, with prizes, drinks and some surprises!
Tickets: £15.

Tiny Explorers
17, 19, 24 & 26 May, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 & 30 June
Hampton Court Palace

These multi-sensory storytelling sessions for under 4’s will transport little ones into a magical world of stories. Each session involves music, movement, messy play and more, and separate sessions specially-designed for different development levels are also offered to suit babies not yet walking and walkers under 4.
Tickets: £6 per child.

Tiny Explorers
16, 19, 23 & 26 May, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 & 30 June
Kensington Palace

These multi-sensory storytelling sessions for under 4’s will transport little ones into a magical world of stories. Each session involves music, movement, messy play and more, and separate sessions specially-designed for different development levels are also offered to suit babies not yet walking and walkers under 4.
Tickets: £6 per child.

May half term
27 May – 1 June
Kensington Palace

Come and discover what growing up in a palace is really like and enter Princess Victoria’s magical world of stories. Born at Kensington Palace in 1819, Princess Victoria’s childhood experiences will be brought to life during May half term with drop-in sessions including illustration workshops and storytelling.
Included in palace admission.

Story Scramble – Anne Boleyn
29 May – 1 June 11.00 – 15.30
Tower of London

Explore all about Anne Boleyn in this interactive trail and game for families over May half term. Meet characters from the past, handle objects, look for clues and see if you can reassemble the scrambled pieces of the story as you explore Anne Boleyn’s last days in the Tower.
Included in palace admission.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL ATTEND THE CENTREPOINT AWARDS

London

Thursday 8th February, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will attend the 2018 Centrepoint Awards at Kensington Palace on Thursday 8th February. His Royal Highness has been Patron of Centrepoint since 2005.

Centrepoint provides homeless 16-25 year-olds with support to find work and tackle physical and mental health problems, in addition to a safe place to stay. The charity supports more than 9,200 homeless young people each year, directly in London, Manchester, Sunderland and Yorkshire, and through partner charities across the UK.

The Awards, now in their third year, celebrate the courage shown by young people in turning their lives around after experiencing homelessness. The Awards highlight the impact of the charity’s wider work, which includes providing young people with support in tackling physical and mental health problems and finding a job or route back into education.

Seven young people will be recognised on the night for their achievements in areas including education, sport and personal development. They will reflect the wide range of interests and skills that exist among the young people who use Centrepoint services, and recognise the significance of personal milestones for those who have
had to endure difficult situations in the past.

During the event, The Duke will present the awards and deliver a short speech about the charity’s work. His Royal Highness will also meet some of the young people who have been supported by Centrepoint over the years as well as the winners.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE TO OPEN AN ACTION ON ADDICTION COMMUNITY

TREATMENT CENTRE
WICKFORD, ESSEX

Wednesday, 7th February 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of Action on Addiction, will officially open a new treatment centre in Wickford. The centre opened its doors to clients in October 2018 and hosts a rolling cycle of nine-week long addiction recovery programmes. While at the centre The Duchess will learn more about the charity’s community-based recovery programme: ‘Clouds in the Community’. She will join a round-table discussion with healthcare professionals, meet staff and clients at different points of their recovery, and attend a reception to commemorate the opening.

‘Clouds in the Community’ is a Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) that provides an effective alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places. ‘Clouds in the Community’ is the starting point for long term recovery and abstinence, and leads to improvements in participants’ physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. Independent evaluation of the programme in Essex showed that almost 80% of clients did not return to any treatment service upon completion of the scheme.

Action on Addiction offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool. It also offers education to degree level at The Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and funds and promotes research into effective responses to addiction. The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of Action on Addiction since 2012.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.

PRINCE HARRY AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE TO ATTEND
ENDEAVOUR FUND AWARDS CEREMONY

London

Thursday 1st February, 2018

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at
Goldsmiths’ Hall on Thursday 1st February. His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year.

The Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of these men and women
to use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and
rehabilitation.

Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will first attend a pre-ceremony reception where they will
meet the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the
Endeavour Fund. They will then attend the awards ceremony, where three prizes will be
awarded:

• The Recognising Achievement Award – awarded to the individual who has best
  utilised their endeavour to promote and catalyse their recovery
• The Celebrating Excellence Award – awarded to the individual who has endeavoured
  to achieve excellence in their chosen sport or adventure challenge
• The Henry Worsley Award – awarded to the individual who has best inspired others
  through the demonstration of determination in the face of adversity, whilst
  endeavouring to support others with their recovery through sport or adventure
  challenge.

The Henry Worsley Award is named after the late Henry Worsley, who tragically lost his life
in January 2016 whilst attempting to cross the Antarctic landmass, solo and unsupported.
Henry, a career soldier and an experienced polar adventurer, undertook this incredible
expedition in order to raise money for the Endeavour Fund.

The Endeavour Fund is a project led by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge and Prince Harry. The fund plays an important role in ensuring that more servicemen and women have the opportunity to rediscover their self-belief and fighting
spirit through physical challenges. It aims to target those that are hard to reach and to
support activities that contribute to the participants’ recovery – either through mentorship,
qualifications or work opportunities.

Since its launch in 2012, the Endeavour Fund has supported 66 different projects that have
directly assisted over 2,265 WIS. Through their own fundraising, these endeavours have
collectively raised over £2.5million for other forces charities across the sector.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank are Engaged to be Married

The Duke and Duchess of York are delighted to announce the engagement of Princess Eugenie to Mr Jack Brooksbank.

Her Royal Highness and Mr Brooksbank became engaged in Nicaragua earlier this month.

The wedding will take place in the Autumn of 2018 at George’s Chapel in Windsor, with further details to be announced in due course.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT KING’S COLLEGE LONDON AND THE SOUTH LONDON AND MAUDSLEY NHS TRUST

London

Wednesday, 24th January 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, and the Perinatal Service at Bethlem Royal Hospital, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust on Wednesday 24 January.

The Duchess is keen to continue developing an understanding of the challenges and issues surrounding maternal mental health, to learn what support is available, and to hear at first-
hand about the science underpinning our understanding of the biological influences on maternal mental health. At least 20 percent of women are affected by mental health
problems during pregnancy or in the first year following the birth of a child. If left
untreated, it can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman and her family.

The Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute is one of Europe’s largest centres for
interdisciplinary neuroscience excellence. The Institute brings together 250 clinicians and
scientists from many disciplines to develop new therapies for neurological and psychiatric
disorders through innovative research. It is part of the IoPPN at King’s, which is world
renowned for its academic and clinical research and education in mental health and
neuroscience.

Her Royal Highness will visit the Institute’s laboratory to receive a briefing on its work in
perinatal research before meeting with senior academics conducting research in perinatal
psychiatry.

The Duchess will then visit the Mother and Baby Unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, part of
South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The unit specialises in the treatment of antenatal and postnatal mental health illnesses including postnatal depression and post-
partum psychosis. The integrated inpatient clinical service allows mothers who face mental health challenges to be admitted with their babies, to minimise the disruption of mother-
infant relationship. The holistic treatment programme offered supports the mother in developing a relationship with her infant in order to reduce the impact of the mother’s
illness on the child. All patients are supported by psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health
nurses, nursery nurses, midwives and other professionals.

Her Royal Highness will have the chance to visit the Unit’s nursery area and meet with
several patients who are currently undergoing treatment. The Duchess will also visit the
Video Therapy room where she will be shown videos of mother-baby interaction used as
therapeutic tool in the Unit. Before departure, The Duchess will meet professionals involved
in perinatal mental health care, including community nurses, midwives and health visitors.

To get all the latest royal news delivered straight to your door, subscribe to Royal Life Magazine today.