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Her Majesty The Queen to Attend Badminton Horse Trials

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The Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to Horses for People in Comber May, 2021.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WILL ATTEND THE 75TH BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS, BADMINTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Sunday 12th May 2024

Her Majesty The Queen will attend the final day of the Badminton Horse Trials (8-12th May) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the event.

The Queen, as Patron of British Equestrian, will watch the final show jumping phase of the competition before presenting trophies to prize winners in the arena.

On arrival at Badminton House, Her Majesty will be greeted by Jane Tuckwell, Event Director of Badminton, who will present the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort at the entrance to Badminton House before joining guests at a reception.

Her Majesty will meet guests associated with the trials, including representatives of the British Equestrian Federation, past winners of the competition and owners, as well as volunteers and officials involved in this year’s event.

A member of the Beaufort Pony Club will present Her Majesty with a book celebrating the trials’ 75-year history and an anniversary model horse.

Her Majesty The Queen to Open New Coronation Library

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The Duchess of Cornwall arrives at Peterborough Cathedral at the start of a day of visits to the city to promote reading and storytelling as part of her role as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, 2016.
The Duchess of Cornwall arrives at Peterborough Cathedral at the start of a day of visits to the city to promote reading and storytelling as part of her role as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, 2016.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, PATRON, NATIONAL LITERACY TRUST, WILL OPEN THE 50TH CORONATION LIBRARY IN ISLINGTON

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Her Majesty The Queen, as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, will visit Moreland Primary School to open their new Coronation Library, the 50th in a series of special primary school libraries that have been transformed over the last twelve months with the help of the National Literacy Trust, to mark the Coronation.

The library at Moreland Primary School is also the 1000th primary school library to open as part of the National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, which aims to establish libraries in UK primary schools in areas where local communities have low levels of literacy.

During the visit Her Majesty will also join an interactive storytelling session with young librarians from primary schools across the city, before opening the new library and listening to Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho read a poem ’One Thousand Libraries’ that he has written for the occasion. Moreland Primary School, Moreland Street, London EC1.

On arrival at the school, Her Majesty will be greeted by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant who will present local dignitaries: Catherine Lawrence, Headteacher, Moreland Primary School, and Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust.

Her Majesty will proceed to the Play Centre where a round table discussion will have taken place between charity, publishers, business partners and author ambassadors, including Cressida Cowell and Chris Smith, who have supported the Libraries for Primaries campaign. The Queen will join an interactive storytelling activity, led by international storyteller, Alim Kamara, with 10 reading ambassadors from Moreland Primary School and 20 pupil librarians and their teachers from local Libraries for Primaries beneficiary schools, who have benefited from a new library space.

The Queen, accompanied by two of Moreland Primary’s pupil librarians will then move to the new library where Her Majesty will meet Joseph Coelho, the Waterstones Children’s Laureate. Her Majesty will have an opportunity to talk to some of the pupils about their involvement in reading activities in the school, before Joseph Coelho reads a poem he has written specially for the occasion. To conclude this part of the engagement, Her Majesty will unveil a plaque to mark the opening of the library.

The Queen will proceed to the playground, where the school choir will be singing and children gathered. The children will be waving flags decorated with their favourite book character.

The King Announces Continued Patronage of The Wildlife Trusts 

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1992 Prince Charles and David Attenborough visit Culm grassland Devon Wildlife Trust. Image credit The Wildlife Trusts
1992 Prince Charles and David Attenborough visit Culm grassland Devon Wildlife Trust. Image credit The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts are Delighted to Have Patronage of His Majesty, The King 

4th May 2024

His Majesty, The King has announced his continued patronage of The Wildlife Trusts following a review of Royal patronages conducted by the Royal Household after His Majesty’s accession to the throne.  

King Charles III became patron of The Wildlife Trusts in 1977 when Prince of Wales. Since then, he has become well known as a visionary environmentalist and has dedicated more than 50 years to championing the UK’s response to the nature and climate crises. His trailblazing efforts have included banning peat in his gardens in the 1980s to promoting sustainable agriculture at the 2020 World Economic Forum.  

Duncan Ingram, Chair of The Wildlife Trusts, says: 

“His Majesty is a remarkable naturalist, an inspiring leader, and a champion of wildlife who has consistently advocated for nature’s recovery in the UK. Nature and climate have long been at the heart of King Charles’ work, and The Wildlife Trusts are honoured that he has chosen to continue his patronage.  

“We’re also delighted to be leading the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature initiative, which is inspired by His Majesty’s work in promoting food growing in harmony with nature, and is doing so much to encourage people to grow their own and help wildlife even in the smallest of urban spaces.” 

Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says: 

“For more than half a century, His Majesty has been at the forefront of raising awareness and calling for action to tackle the global environmental crisis. From his first landmark speech about the environment in 1970, to becoming Patron of The Wildlife Trusts in 1977, to initiating countless breakthrough environmental initiatives, right through to his internationally acclaimed speech at the UN climate summit in Dubai last autumn, His Majesty has consistently demonstrated foresight, courage and leadership as he has helped communities, charities and businesses grapple with the challenges and opportunities inherent in living more sustainably and in harmony with Nature.   

“It is therefore a great honour that His Majesty has agreed to continue with his Patronage of The Wildlife Trusts. We are very grateful for his support, and the message it sends about the importance of conserving and restoring our precious wildlife.”  

As The Prince of Wales, His Majesty launched Coronation Meadows in 2013 to honour the 60th year of the late Queen’s accession to the throne. In the face of the catastrophic loss of 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the plan was to create new and restored meadows using donor seed from remaining fragments of ancient and traditional meadows. The scheme has been a remarkable success with 101 new meadows created by partner charities, The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife. 

Last year a groundbreaking new initiative, Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature, was launched as a tribute to His Majesty, King Charles III’s long-standing commitment to the natural world and the environment. Led by The Wildlife Trusts, Incredible Edible, Garden Organic, and the NFWI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes), the project has reached over 25,000 people with 2,000 gardens pledged and 250 schools involved.  

His Majesty has lent his support in person to many Wildlife Trusts over decades and has visited nature reserves, including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Woods and Manx Wildlife Trust’s Close Sartfield wildflower meadows.

The Queen to Mark 90th Anniversary of Brooke

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Queen Camilla feeding a donkey a carrot during a visit to Brooke Donkey Sanctuary in Nairobi to hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to rescue donkeys at risk, and promote their welfare, on day two of the state visit to Kenya. November 1, 2023.
Queen Camilla feeding a donkey a carrot during a visit to Brooke Donkey Sanctuary in Nairobi to hear how the charity is working with the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals to rescue donkeys at risk, and promote their welfare, on day two of the state visit to Kenya. November 1, 2023.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WILL HOST A RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE TO MARK THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROOKE

Thursday 9th May 2024

Her Majesty The Queen, President of Brooke, will host a reception to mark 90 years of the charity’s work of bringing hope to working horses, donkeys, and mules.

Brooke, founded in the early 1930s, is a UK-based international working horse and donkey charity, which is also a legacy of the First World War. Dorothy Brooke established the Old War Horse Memorial Hospital in Cairo in 1934, and 90 years later, this grew into the global organisation they are today. As of 2022/2023, Brooke has supported 1.4 million working horses, donkeys, and mules directly, and 4.2 million through their advocacy work.

Ahead of the reception, Her Majesty will proceed to the Quadrangle of Buckingham Palace for a group photo with guests and mini ponies. Ambassadors and supporters attending the reception include actress Annette Badland, veterinarian Dr Scott Miller, newsreader Angela Rippon, and the charity’s patron, Alastair Stewart.

Inside the palace, Her Majesty will meet Brooke staff and supporters, who last year reached over 10,000 worldwide communities. The Queen will also hear a speech from Chris Wainwright, Brooke CEO.

Marking the anniversary, Her Majesty will cut a cake before departure.

The Duke of Cornwall to Visit Newquay and the Isles of Scilly

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The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall while in Cornwall, during a visit to the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall, to learn about the wide variety of support and services that the organisation provides to local people, with a mission of building a healthy, happy and mutually supportive society, February 9, 2023.
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall while in Cornwall, during a visit to the Dracaena Centre in Cornwall, to learn about the wide variety of support and services that the organisation provides to local people, with a mission of building a healthy, happy and mutually supportive society, February 9, 2023.

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL WILL VISIT CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLY

Thursday 9th May – Friday 10th May 2024

The Duke of Cornwall – Prince William – will carry out engagements in Newquay on Thursday 9th May and on the Isles of Scilly on Friday 10th May.

On Thursday, His Royal Highness will pay a visit to the site in Nansledan where the Duchy of Cornwall’s first ever innovative housing project to help address homelessness will be built, before spending time at Fistral Beach where he will hear from local organisations who are working to keep the beach safe for all those who enjoy it.

On Friday, the Duke will make his first official visit to the Isles of Scilly since becoming Duke of Cornwall in September 2022. During his time on St. Mary’s, His Royal Highness will meet representatives from local businesses on the harbour front and pay a visit to St. Mary’s Medical Centre.

DAY ONE – THURSDAY 9TH MAY

Engagement 1:

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL WILL VISIT NANSLEDAN, NEWQUAY

The Duke of Cornwall will visit Nansledan to see the site where the Duchy of Cornwall’s first ever innovative housing project to help address homelessness will be built.

Announced earlier this year, the project will be delivered alongside Cornish charity, St Petrocs, and will provide 24 homes with wrap around support for local people experiencing homelessness. Land for the homes will be provided by the Duchy of Cornwall which will also use its design and development management expertise to guide the delivery of the project as a whole.

The project will showcase the power of collaboration from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and the role we can all play in ending homelessness in our communities. This transformative approach is inspired by Homewards – a five-year programme led by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales to show that it is possible to end homelessness. Homewards strives to form locally led coalitions of committed individuals, organisations, and businesses who will work together to create and deliver a tailored plan to prevent and end homelessness in their areas.

The new homes in Nansledan have been designed by local practice ALA Architects, with input from the Duchy, St Petrocs and the Homewards expert panel. The homes are designed to be in keeping with the quality and character of Nansledan, to provide residents with dignity and help them settle into their new community from day one.

Construction is set to begin in September 2024 and the first homes are due for completion in autumn 2025. The innovation the Duchy has embedded into the design will mean that the homes will be built to Passivhaus standards of energy efficiency and sustainability.

The first phase will focus on creating high quality temporary accommodation that feels like home with a clear pathway to a permanent home as accommodation becomes available. St Petrocs will also be helping resident harness the benefits of an active and growing community in Nansledan where training and employment pathways exist, alongside more permanent housing solutions.

His Royal Highness will meet representatives from the Duchy of Cornwall who are leading the development of the site and see where the new housing will be located for the first time. The Duke will also meet the CEO of St Petrocs, Henry Meacock, and a resident of St Petrocs Newquay who will talk to His Royal Highness about the transformative impact of receiving a home and the additional wrap around support.

The Duchy of Cornwall is harnessing the guidance and network of Homewards in the design of this project. Homewards will be evaluating the impact of this initial innovative housing project and will share the learnings with their local coalitions in their six locations across the UK.

Engagement 2:

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL WILL VISIT FISTRAL BEACH, NEWQUAY

His Royal Highness will then travel to Fistral Beach, which is widely regarded as one of the best surfing beaches in Europe. Here, the Duke will meet representatives from local organisations who are working to promote safety in the sea and across the beach area, ahead of the forthcoming summer months.

The Duke will first spend time with Holywell Bay and Newquay Surf Life Saving Clubs which trains and supports volunteers to save lives and prevent drowning in open water. Surf Life Saving Clubs around the country educate young people from the age of seven to keep themselves safe and to help others in difficulty. Operating out of Fistral Beach between May and September, the Newquay club is run in three age groups: Nippers, Youth and Seniors. During his visit, the Duke will meet members of the clubs as demonstrations of training programmes take place on the beach.

His Royal Highness will then meet lifeguards and staff from the RNLI, who provide a seasonal service to Fistral Beach, to hear about the work they are doing to keep local people and tourists safe as they get set to enjoy the summer season. This year, the RNLI is celebrating its 200th anniversary, having been formed in 1824.

During his visit to the beach, the Duke will also have the opportunity to meet members of the public.

DAY TWO – FRIDAY 10TH MAY

Engagement 3:

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL WILL VISIT ST. MARY’S HARBOUR, ISLES OF SCILLY

The Duke of Cornwall will visit St. Mary’s Harbour – the maritime gateway to the Isles of Scilly – and meet representatives from local businesses operating in the area.

The harbour is run by the Duchy of Cornwall and handles passengers and vessels – from ‘Tripper Boats’ and sail training vessels to fishing boats and those carrying special cargo deliveries – travelling to the Isles of Scilly, making it a crucial part of the community and a hub for the vital tourism industry across the islands.

The Duke will spend time with harbour operators as well as local people from businesses on St. Mary’s, hearing from them about life on the islands and how they are preparing for the summer season, which sees approximately 100,000 visitors come to the islands each year.

His Royal Highness’ visit follows the 33rd World Pilot Gig Championships which are being held on the Isles of Scilly from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th May. The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oar rowing boat, recognised as one of the first shore-based lifeboats that served vessels in distress, with recorded rescues going back as far as the 17th century. The first championships were held in 1990 and now attract thousands of additional visitors to the islands each year. The Duke will meet a mixed crew who participated in the 2024 Championships and hear about their experiences of the races.

Engagement 4:

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL WILL VISIT ST MARY’S COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, ST MARY’S, ISLES OF SCILLY

His Royal Highness will then travel to St. Mary’s Community Hospital to meet staff and hear about a new integrated health and social care facility which is set to be built on adjacent land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

The small hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient clinics serving the Isles of Scilly and works closely with the NHS paramedic services on the islands, providing wraparound care to island residents and visitors. The Duke will first meet hospital staff and hear about the challenges of delivering healthcare in an island setting.

His Royal Highness will then meet with representatives from the local council who are working with the Duchy of Cornwall to make the new healthcare facility a reality. A key tenet of the Duchy of Cornwall’s operating principles is to support communities and the people within them, working alongside stakeholders and partners, such as the NHS and the council to deliver investment and opportunities.

The new health and social care facility will provide twelve residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds and a modern maternity suite. The aim is to develop a new model of care that provides robust services to keep people at home, or close to home where clinically possible, by maximising digital technologies and access to remote support.

The land for the building has been provided by the Duchy of Cornwall on long lease, and the Duchy have facilitated early entry onto the site to ensure work can begin as soon as possible. The facility is due to open by summer 2025.

The Duke of Edinburgh to Host Gold Award Celebrations

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The Duke of Edinburgh, in his role as Patron of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) charity meets students during a visit to Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College in Brighton, East Sussex, to hear from young people making a difference in their communities through their DofE. October 4, 2023.
The Duke of Edinburgh, in his role as Patron of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) charity meets students during a visit to Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College in Brighton, East Sussex, to hear from young people making a difference in their communities through their DofE. October 4, 2023.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WILL HOST GOLD AWARD CELEBRATIONS FOR THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Friday 10th May and Monday 13th May 2024

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, will host more than 8,000 young people from across the country in the Buckingham Palace Garden for Gold Award celebrations.

In His Royal Highness’s role as Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), the Duke of Edinburgh will host four celebratory events for young people across two days, on Friday 10th May and Monday 13th May 2024.

The special events will see the Buckingham Palace Garden transformed into a festival-style celebration with lawn games and activities, and guests will hear from inspirational public figures, including celebrity DofE Award holders.

At each event, guests will gather in front of the West Terrace Steps for speeches from the Duke of Edinburgh, a young DofE Gold Award achiever and a celebrity speaker, offering insights from their own life and career.

During the first celebration on Friday 10th May, the Duke will speak alongside broadcaster and Silver DofE Award holder, Vick Hope. They will be joined by 19-year-old Gold Award achiever Ifrah Shafiq, who will speak about how the DofE led her to tackle misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine in her community during the pandemic and gave her the confidence to pursue a career in the ambulance service.

Other speakers at Friday morning’s event include actor Jason Watkins; journalist and presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy; Olympian and Rugby World Cup winner Heather Fisher OLY; Heartstopper actor Tobie Donovan; racing driver Billy Monger and his sister Bonny; and explorer Ash Bhardwaj. Journalist and presenter Clive Myrie will speak from the West Terrace at Friday afternoon’s event.

On Monday 13th May, the Duke will speak alongside British astronaut Tim Peake and 19-year-old Gold Award achiever Hafwen Clarke. Hafwen will be the first young deaf person to speak from the West Terrace at a Gold Award celebration and will deliver a speech in British Sign Language alongside an interpreter.

Her Majesty to Recognise Those Who Support Survivors of Sexual Assault

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Queen Camilla during a visit to visit Kindred Studios' pop-up hub in Shepherds Bush, west London, an art studios and creative space encouraging arts, crafts and community cohesion. February 14, 2024.
Queen Camilla during a visit to visit Kindred Studios' pop-up hub in Shepherds Bush, west London, an art studios and creative space encouraging arts, crafts and community cohesion. February 14, 2024.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN WILL HOST A RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE TO RECOGNISE THOSE WHO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND TO MARK THE RELAUNCH OF THE WASH BAGS PROJECT

Wednesday 1st May 2024

Her Majesty The Queen will host a reception to recognise those who support survivors of sexual assault and to mark the relaunch of the Wash Bags project, in partnership with In Kind Direct and Boots, at Buckingham Palace.

The Wash Bags Project was initiated by the Queen as Duchess of Cornwall in 2013 after hearing the stories of rape and sexual abuse survivors during her visits to the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). The scheme provides a wash bag of toiletries, donated by Boots, to people who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse. The bags are offered at SARCs after a forensic examination, as a small gesture of comfort during a difficult time.

The relaunch of the Wash Bags Project sees In Kind Direct come on board as the distribution partner for this initiative, alongside Boots, which continues to provide the wash bags and contents. In Kind Direct is a charity founded in 1996, by the King as Prince of Wales.

The Queen will host approximately 300 guests including staff from SARCs, service users and representatives from key organisations, including charities, police forces and health services, as well as many of the places Her Majesty has visited, including Rape Crisis South London, The Women’s Centre Cornwall, The Havens, Croydon RASASC and the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria, of which Her Majesty is patron.

During the event, the Queen will meet high-profile women who have highlighted this cause, including Emma Barnett, Zara McDermott and Cherie Blair. Her Majesty will also deliver a speech, thanking the assembled guests for their work in support of survivors of sexual violence.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Attends Visionaries Reception

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The Duchess of Edinburgh, joined global blindness prevention charity, Orbis, for their second annual Visionaries reception at the historic Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London, 24 April 2024. Credit: Ben Stevens / Story Picture Agency
The Duchess of Edinburgh, joined global blindness prevention charity, Orbis, for their second annual Visionaries reception at the historic Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London, 24 April 2024. Credit: Ben Stevens / Story Picture Agency

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh Attends Annual Visionaries Reception at Abbey Road Studios

Wednesday, 24th April 2024

On the evening of the 24th of April, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, joined global blindness prevention charity, Orbis, for their second annual Visionaries reception at the historic Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London. The Duchess attended in her role as the Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Since 1982, Orbis has been working to support people across the world to gain access to the eye care they need to thrive. Today, 1.1 billion people live with vision loss globally, yet 90% of cases are avoidable. The majority of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries where health services can be difficult to access. As well as their projects across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the organisation also operates the world’s only fully accredited ophthalmic teaching hospital on board a plane, the Flying Eye Hospital.  

The speakers at the event reflected on Orbis’s achievements from the last 12 months, which included:

  • The 100 millionth dose of antibiotics being delivered in southern Ethiopia to fight highly infectious trachoma, and its elimination in Gedeo (a geographical zone in south-west Ethiopia, 369 kilometres from the capital Addis Ababa), positively affecting over one million people. Repeated trachoma infections cause eyelashes to turn inward, where they scrape across the eye’s surface with every excruciating blink, leading to permanent blindness if not treated.
  • The first patient facing Orbis Flying Eye Hospital training programme since the pandemic began. The aircraft has helped to increase the skills of eye health professionals in more than 95 countries and patients are treated both onboard and within local partner hospitals.
  • Surpassing over 90,000 users, covering almost every country in the world, on the charity’s free telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight, which also helps health care professionals detect common eye diseases in seconds using artificial intelligence (AI) software.
  • Tackling barriers to eye care by further developing Women-Led Green Vision Centres in Bangladesh. These have seen an average of 21% more women and girls seeking eye care since their establishment, compared to standard services.
The Duchess of Edinburgh, joined global blindness prevention charity, Orbis, for their second annual Visionaries reception at the historic Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London, 24 April 2024. Credit: Orbis
The Duchess of Edinburgh, joined global blindness prevention charity, Orbis, for their second annual Visionaries reception at the historic Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, London, 24 April 2024. Credit: Orbis

In October 2023, Orbis welcomed Her Royal Highness to their work in Hawassa, Ethiopia, where she witnessed first-hand, dedicated health workers screening for and treating trachoma, and met teachers assessing children for the condition, as well as other sight loss issues. The Duchess also spoke to volunteers who travel into their communities to identify people, in particular women and children, in need of urgent eye care who would otherwise go without and refer them to nearby health centres.

Trachoma is one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, but still impacts millions of people today. Spread by a lack of access to clean water and sanitation, it is treated with the World Health Organization (WHO) SAFE strategy: Surgery, Antibiotics, Face Washing and Environment. In Ethiopia, women make up 70% of those with trachoma trichiasis, the blinding stage of the condition. Orbis are committed to the elimination of trachoma by 2030 in line with WHO goals, through training, treatment and supporting the construction of communal and school latrines.

During the event, Her Royal Highness spoke about her visit: “To be out in the field and to see what Orbis are doing on the ground, delivering services that are truly life changing for people, many of whom have been suffering for years, to give them their lives back, is absolutely amazing. I had the chance to stand in on an operation to correct the eyelids. It is amazing how in the space of minutes somebody’s life is transformed. It’s not right that there are so many people out there living with these conditions, whether it be blindness from trachoma or whether it be from cataracts.”

Orbis is proud to have welcomed Her Royal Highness to several of their programmes over the years, including a visit to a Flying Eye Hospital project in 2013 in Kolkata, India, and then again to Dhaka and Chattogram, in 2017, where she saw their work first hand, training local eye care professionals and supporting the community.

The Visionaries evening was supported by OMEGA, who have contributed to Orbis’s sight saving work since 2011. As well as providing vital funding for the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, they’ve also raised awareness through global campaigns featuring brand ambassadors such as Cindy Crawford and Daniel Craig. In addition, OMEGA generously provides Seymour Teddy Bears as comfort for children pre- and post-eye surgery.

Nick Fox, Chairman of Orbis UK said: “The Orbis Visionaries event has not only given us the chance to reflect on our work from the past year, to thank donors for the difference they are making, but to also recognise the devoted eye care professionals who, day after day, are saving sight in their local communities. We too celebrate the medical volunteers from the NHS and around the world, who dedicate their time and expertise to train entire health care teams, from eye doctors to biomedical engineers, in the places that need it most.”

Orbis is committed to ensuring no one has to live with the consequences of preventable sight loss, through developing sustainable eye care systems that put treatment and prevention within reach. From training eye care professionals across the globe through their long-term projects, virtual reality training and an artificial intelligence platform that helps to diagnose, treat, and manage vision problems, Orbis and their partners are working to ensure people have access to the eye care they need to thrive.  

If you would like to find out more about Orbis’s work, and how you can help, visit their website: www.orbis.org.uk

The King and Queen Visit University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

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Queen Camilla during her visit to London's Royal Free Hospital to officially open Maggie's Royal Free, a new cancer support centre at the hospital, January 31, 2024.
Queen Camilla during her visit to London's Royal Free Hospital to officially open Maggie's Royal Free, a new cancer support centre at the hospital, January 31, 2024.

THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN WILL VISIT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL MACMILLAN CANCER CENTRE

Tuesday 30th April 2024

The King, Patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, and Queen will visit University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, meeting patients and staff. This visit will raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and will highlight some of the innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK, which is taking place at the hospital.

The visit also will mark His Majesty’s first day as the new Patron of Cancer Research UK.

University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre welcomed its first patients in April 2012. The centre provides facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of cancer and non-cancer conditions, whilst also supporting patients and their families.

The King and Queen will be met by the Chair of University College London Hospitals (UCLH) The Right Honourable Rabbi The Baroness Neuberger and the Chief Executive of UCLH, Mr David Probert.

Inside the centre, Their Majesties will meet clinicians and hear more about their use of innovative technology at UCLH, including CT scanners which are being used to help with the early detection of cancer.

As the new Patron of Cancer Research UK, His Majesty will meet Cancer Research UK’s Chief Clinician, Professor Charlie Swanton, who has led on a project called TRACERx. A collaboration with 250 researchers and clinicians based at 19 centres across the UK, TRACERx is the single biggest investment in lung cancer research by Cancer Research UK and aims to investigate how lung cancer evolves over time and why treatments sometimes stop working.

After meeting patients and their families who receive treatment at the centre, Their Majesties will have an opportunity to meet hospital staff and supporters of the UCLH Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.

Before departing, Their Majesties will be presented with posies by young patients.

In 1997, as Prince of Wales, His Majesty The King became Patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides a wide range of support to people living with cancer and promotes better cancer care. In 1999, His Majesty (as Prince of Wales) gave a speech at the launch of Macmillan’s ‘A Voice for Life’ Initiative. In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, His Majesty wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph, as Patron of Macmillan, on the challenges faced by those with cancer. Earlier this year, His Majesty received his own cancer diagnosis.

In addition to His Majesty’s new patronage of Cancer Research UK, the Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra are also Joint Presidents of Cancer Research UK.

Since 2008, the Queen has been President of Maggie’s, which provides expert care and support, for free, in centres across the UK and online to everyone with cancer as well as their friends and families. Since becoming President, Her Majesty has visited 17 centres across the UK, including opening Maggie’s Royal Free in January 2024.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Visiting Ukraine

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King Charles III meets with Ukrainian recruits being trained by British and international partner forces in Wilthshire, England, Feb. 20, 2023.
King Charles III meets with Ukrainian recruits being trained by British and international partner forces in Wilthshire, England, Feb. 20, 2023.

The Duchess of Edinburgh Visiting Ukraine

Monday 29th April

The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ‘to demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war and in a continuation of her work to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence’.

• The Duchess of Edinburgh is first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

• Her Royal Highness met with survivors of sexual violence, and female IDPs and volunteers who help their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.

• Two years on from Bucha’s liberation, the Duchess of Edinburgh also paid her respects to those who lost their lives during Russia’s occupation.

Today, [Monday 29th April] the Duchess of Edinburgh became the first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, to show her solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture, and as part of her work as a champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

While in Ukraine, the Duchess of Edinburgh met with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and survivors of torture who bravely shared their stories, and with children who have now been safely returned to Ukraine after being forcibly separated from their families and deported by Russia as part of a sustained campaign to erase Ukrainian culture.

Her Royal Highness also met with President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska to discuss how best to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and the women peace-builders who have a vital part to play in ensuring Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction is effective and long-lasting.

Addressing the CRSV Conference last month, Her Royal Highness said:

“Survivors here and around the world have spoken out so bravely about their experiences.

“They are the most powerful advocates who remind us all that we must not turn our backs on the horrors of this crime, we must never forget survivors.

“Rather, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with all survivors to secure justice and holistic redress, and ensure that this crime isn’t an accepted part of conflict.

“Their rights and their voices must be at the heart of all our efforts to consign conflict-related sexual violence to the history books.”

During the visit, the Duchess of Edinburgh paid her respects to those who lost their lives in Bucha, two years on from its liberation from Russian forces, and visited the ‘Road to Life’, a bridge that became a key part of the Ukrainian resistance when it was blown up to stop Russian troops proceeding to Kyiv, and later became a vital route for people to flee to safety from the Russian occupation.

Her Royal Highness also demonstrated her support for Ukrainian women who have played important roles in the conflict and community recovery, in a meeting with female volunteers who help their communities cope with the aftermath of the attacks with mental health care activities for children.

Since 2022, the UK has pledged over £4.7 billion in non-military support to Ukraine. This includes over £660 million of bilateral assistance that prioritises the needs of women and girls, for example by funding vital services for survivors of gender-based violence, as well as working with the Office of the Prosecutor General to put survivors at the centre of approaches to prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence crimes.

The UK is working with international partners to hold those responsible for atrocities to account. In addition to providing financial and technical assistance to the International Criminal Court, we have deployed specialist UK war crimes and conflict-related sexual violence experts to the region, and created an expert Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group with the EU and US.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, then Countess of Wessex, announced her commitment to champion the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the UN’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda on International Women’s Day 2019.

Her Royal Highness has visited a number of countries over the years to highlight the impact of historical and ongoing conflict, including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia, and has heard first hand testimonies from survivors of conflict related sexual violence.

The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) and the Women, Peace and Security agenda are a key focus for the UK Government. We are committed to tackling conflict related sexual violence globally, and supporting women’s participation in conflict prevention, relief and recovery.

Last month, the UK announced its allocation of £1.5 million to International Planned Parenthood Foundation to provide sexual and reproductive health services for the most vulnerable women and girls in Ukraine. These services have helped protect the most at risk by ensuring they have access to vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, including mobile clinics and access to family planning support. This funding has supported over 20,000 people to access vital medical care since July 2022 and provided sexual health information to over 100,000 people.

Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict programmes and dedicated funding totalling £60 million since 2012, we are leading work internationally to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and strengthen justice and support for all survivors. For example:

The UK has an established Team of Experts in preventing sexual violence in conflict, which has been deployed over 90 times since it was set up, including in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and in Ukraine.

Last year, the FCDO established the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict to drive action with member states. Ukraine is a member of the Alliance.

We have also committed over £7m to the Global Survivors Fund to provide psychosocial, educational and livelihoods support to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including in DRC and Iraq.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo our programmes have contributed to vital legislative changes, and in Colombia, the opening of a judicial macro case on sexual violence crimes.

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