THE KING AND QUEEN WILL VISIT WALTHAMSTOW TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY COHESION IN THE BOROUGH
Friday 20th December 2024
Their Majesties The King and Queen will attend a reception at Waltham Forest Town Hall next Friday, 20th December, to celebrate the strong sense of community cohesion in the borough, highlighted by peaceful counter-protests in August 2024 following disorder in other parts of the UK.
Prince William & Hannah Waddingham Play Darts | The Earthshot Report
December 14th, 2024
This week, The Earthshot Report premieres on BBC One, iPlayer, and PBS. This documentary is a showcase of inspiring environmental solutions from across the globe, presented by Prince William and Hannah Waddingham. To celebrate, we invited them to play a game of darts at Alexandra Palace, where the very first Earthshot Prize Awards took place in 2021.
Watch The Earthshot Report on the BBC and iPlayer from Sunday December 15 at 5pm GMT and on PBS from Wednesday December 18 at 8/7c.
Over the last ten years, the evidence that we face urgent challenges to protect the environment has become indisputable, and it’s clear that the time to act is now. Drawing inspiration from the concept of moonshots, which since the moon landing in 1969 has become shorthand to talk about the most ambitious and ground-breaking goals, Prince William announced The Earthshot Prize: an ambitious set of challenges to inspire a decade of action to repair the planet.
We believe in the power of human ingenuity to prove to us all that the seemingly impossible is possible.
HIS MAJESTY THE KING WILL VISIT THE ‘CURATED MAKERS CHRISTMAS MARKET’ AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION AND TOUR THE UK HEADQUARTERS OF APPLE
Thursday 12th December 2024
Engagement 1:
His Majesty The King will visit the ‘Curated Makers Christmas Market’ inside Battersea Power Station and meet traders, some of whom are young entrepreneurs supported by The King’s Trust’s Enterprise programme.
Engagement 2:
His Majesty will meet the Chief Executive of Apple, Tim Cook, and tour the firm’s UK headquarters at Battersea Power Station, meeting British talent and young people from The King’s Trust who are being supported by Apple.
HIS MAJESTY THE KING ATTENDS THE KING’S FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL ‘CRAFTS AT CHRISTMAS’ EVENT AT HIGHGROVE
Friday 13th December 2024
His Majesty The King will attend The King’s Foundation’s annual ‘Crafts at Christmas’ event. The King will meet students, alumni, and tutors from The King’s Foundation’s education programmes in specialist crafts, such as woodworking, weaving and embroidery.
The King’s Foundation is a charity founded by His Majesty as Prince of Wales and was formed in 1990. The charity is inspired by the vision and values of His Majesty, who remains its Royal Founding President – building and supporting communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony.
The charity offers education courses for almost 15,000 students annually, health and wellbeing programmes for nearly 2,000 people each year, and spearheads placemaking and regeneration projects in the UK and overseas to revitalise communities and historic buildings.
The King’s Foundation acts as the custodian of Highgrove Gardens, which is home to education programmes in traditional and heritage crafts, including the Snowdon School of Furniture and the Métiers d’Arts Fellowship in partnership with Chanel and Le19M.
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVITES CHILDREN TO DECORATE THE CLARENCE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE
Thursday 12th December 2024
The Queen will welcome families supported by Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity to Clarence House for an afternoon of Christmas tree decorating, a festive tradition now in its 19th year.
The children and young people will be surprised by a visit from Father Christmas before Her Majesty, as patron of both charities, invites them to decorate a Christmas tree in the Library.
Guests will be treated to a Christmas performance by the Band and Bugles of the Rifles before joining the Queen for a lunch.
THE KING WILL PRESENT THE FIRST ELIZABETH EMBLEMS
Windsor Castle
Tuesday 10th December 2024
His Majesty The King will present the first Elizabeth Emblems to the next of kin of former firefighters, police officers and other public servants who died in the line of duty.
The Elizabeth Emblem, announced by the UK Government in April 2024, recognises public servants who die in the line of duty. It is a national recognition, which will be awarded to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives whilst undertaking public service.
The emblem is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who die in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.
The design of the emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’, and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on its reverse. The emblem will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing.
Future presentations of the Elizabeth Emblem will be made by Commanding Officers, Lord Lieutenants, or other officials, in consultation with the recipients.
The full list of public servants being recognised in the first batch of Elizabeth Emblems can be seen below.
● Police Constable Nathanael Edgar, Metropolitan Police. Died 13th February 1948.
● Leading Firefighter Leslie Marsh, West Midlands Fire Service. Died 12th February 1949.
● Divisional Officer Frank Bennett, Nottingham City Fire Brigade. Died 8th November 1949.
● Firefighter Edward James Harwood, London Fire Brigade. Died 21st December 1951.
● Assistant Divisional Officer Leslie Arthur Pearce, Kent Fire Brigade. Died 29th November 1957.
● Sub Officer George Edward Gladstone, Northumberland Fire Brigade. Died 22th March 1959.
● Police Constable Leslie Meehan, Metropolitan Police. Died 2nd March 1960.
● Firefighter William Wallace Crocket, Glasgow Fire Brigade. Died 28th March 1960.
● Leading Firefighter Dudley Hamish Grant, Scottish Fire Service. Died 19th April 1965.
● Police Constable Stanley Moore, Lancashire Police. Died 11th February 1969.
● Firefighter Terence Joseph Breen, London Fire Brigade. Died 17th July 1969.
● Police Constable Edward Alexander Barnett, City of Glasgow Police. Died 4th January 1970.
● Firefighter Paul Anthony Parkin, Sheffield Fire Brigade. Died 10th March 1974.
● Neil MacLellan, National Health Service. Died 30th November 1976.
● Police Constable George William Chree Taylor, Strathclyde Police. Died 30th November 1976.
● Firefighter Hylton Brearley, West Yorkshire Fire Service. Died 14th December 1976.
● Police Constable Christopher John McDonald, Nottinghamshire Police. Died 17th May 1978.
● Sergeant Michael Hawcroft, West Yorkshire Police. Died 12th March 1981.
● Detective Constable James Brian Porter, Durham Constabulary. Died 4th March 1982.
● Firefighter Anthony John Hall, Durham County Fire Service. Died 5th September 1982.
● Detective Sergeant William Ross Hunt, Strathclyde Police. Died 5th June 1983.
● Woman Police Constable Jane Arbuthnot, Metropolitan Police. Died 17th December 1983.
● Woman Police Constable Yvonne Fletcher, Metropolitan Police. Died 17th April 1984.
● Police Constable John Richard Speed, West Yorkshire Police. Died 31st October 1984.
● Detective Constable Malcolm James Victor Wiltshire, Hampshire Police. Died 15th May 1985.
● Police Sergeant Alan King, Metropolitan Police. Died 29th November 1991.
● Sergeant William Forth, Northumbria Police. Died 21st March 1993.
● Police Constable Lewis George Fulton, Strathclyde Police. Died 17th June 1994.
● Police Constable Philip Walters, Metropolitan Police. Died 18th April 1995.
● Firefighter Fleur Lombard, Avon Fire and Rescue. Died 4th February 1996.
● Police Constable Malcolm Walker, West Midlands Police. Died 4th October 2001.
● Police Constable Gerald Michael Walker, Nottinghamshire Police. Died 9th January 2003.
● Police Constable Keith Malcolm Dobson, West Midlands Police. Died 11th September 2011.
● Police Constable Fiona Bone, Greater Manchester Police. Died 18th September 2012.
● Police Constable Nicola Hughes, Greater Manchester Police. Died 18th September 2012.
● Police Constable Neil Doyle, Merseyside Police. Died 19th December 2014.
● Rebecca Dykes, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Died 16th December 2017.
● Police Constable Andrew Harper, Thames Valley Police. Died 15th August 2019.
THE QUEEN WILL ATTEND THE ENTENTE LITTÉRAIRE PRIZE CEREMONY
French Ambassador’s Residence, 11 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8.
Wednesday 4th December 2024
The Queen, accompanied by Madame Macron, will attend the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony. The prize is awarded to books aimed at teenagers and young adults and helps to promote literature from all corners of the UK and France, shining a light on Franco-British literary talent. It celebrates the pleasures of reading and the special connections between the two countries created by literature.
The idea to establish a UK-France literary prize was agreed at leader level during the UK-France bilateral Summit in Paris on 10 March 2023. The Entente Littéraire was officially launched by Her Majesty and Madame Macron during Their Majesties’ state visit to France in September 2023.
This year’s first ceremony takes place during the 120th anniversary year of the Entente Cordiale, which is being celebrated in both countries. The prize illustrates the importance of the close bilateral relationship between the UK and France and celebrates the rich cultural ties between the two countries.
STATE VISIT BY THE AMIR OF THE STATE OF QATAR
Tuesday 3rd December – Wednesday 4th December 2024
The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 3rd December to Wednesday 4th December 2024.
The King and Queen will host the state visit at Buckingham Palace.
MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2024
The Amir of the State of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani will arrive in the United Kingdom on the afternoon of Monday 2nd December at London Stansted Airport.
Their Highnesses will be greeted by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar. The Viscount Hood, Lord in Waiting, will greet Their Highnesses on behalf of the King.
TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2024
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales will greet the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher at their residence, on behalf of the King, on Tuesday morning.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will travel with Their Highnesses to Horse Guards Parade, where the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will receive a Ceremonial Welcome.
The King and Queen will formally welcome Their Highnesses at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Qatari National Anthem will be played.
The Amir, accompanied by the King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with the Band of the Regiment.
Afterwards, Their Highnesses will join the King and Queen, and The Prince and Princess of Wales, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second Guard of Honour formed of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Irish Guards. As the carriages arrive at Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Irish Guards will play the Qatari and British National Anthems.
Following a lunch at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty will invite Their Highnesses to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain Foundation relating to Qatar.
In the afternoon, the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will visit Westminster Abbey, where Their Highnesses will take a tour of the Abbey, accompanied by the Dean of Westminster and the Chapter.
Next, His Highness will travel to Palace of Westminster where he will be greeted on arrival by Black Rod, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. In the Royal Robing Room, His Highness will address gathered Parliamentarians and other invited guests before joining a reception with Members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament.
At Kensington Palace, the Amir will then be received by the Prince of Wales.
In the evening, the King, accompanied by the Queen and Members of the Royal Family, will give a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Amir of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.
Speeches will be made by the King and the Amir at the beginning of the banquet.
WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2024
On Wednesday morning, the Amir will visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. His Highness will meet contemporaries from the Amir’s time at Sandhurst and Qatari cadets. The Amir will also meet representatives from 11 Sqn based at RAF Leeming who are delivering advanced and high-speed jet training to Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF pilots in Hawk Mk167 aircrafts. His Highness will also view a flypast on Parade Square.
The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will then travel to Buckingham Palace to formally bid farewell to the King and Queen.
Afterwards, His Highness will visit No. 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer.
That evening, the Amir, joined by the Duke of Gloucester, will attend a dinner at Mansion House given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and the Amir will both make speeches at the end of the dinner.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Amir on behalf of The King, before His Highness departs from London Stansted Airport. Her Highness will depart privately.
HIS MAJESTY THE KING WILL CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE CIRCULAR BIOECONOMY ALLIANCE
Thursday 21st November 2024
At St James’s Palace, His Majesty The King will join scientists, businesses and indigenous leaders to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA).
Established by the King as Prince of Wales, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance is accelerating the transition to a nature-first, circular bioeconomy that is climate neutral, inclusive and powers prosperity.
The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance initiative was established in 2020, and in September 2023 became a registered UK charity. It aims to create a positive impact, building sustainable value chains which transform land, food, health and industrial systems. Its approach combines a rigorous science-based framework, coalitions of expert partners, indigenous and local leaders and a bespoke ‘Living Lab’ activation model.
Her Majesty The Queen among recipients of Honorary Degrees at University of London Foundation Day
Her Majesty The Queen is one of five leading figures to receive an Honorary Degree from the University of London, recognising her outstanding contribution to promoting literacy and literature across the UK. The ceremony will take place on 20 November at Senate House, where Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Chancellor of the University of London, will present the award as part of the University’s historic Foundation Day celebrations.
HM The Queen’s Honorary Doctorate of Literature acknowledges her advocacy for literacy and dedication to numerous literary organisations, including The National Literacy Trust and Book Aid International. Through ‘The Queen’s Reading Room’ initiative and patronage of multiple literary charities, Her Majesty has championed the transformative power of reading and writing across all age groups and communities.
Professor Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, said:
“Since its founding, the University of London has been a force for social and educational change, from being the first university to admit students regardless of gender, race or religion, to enabling people to study wherever they are in the world. Honorary degrees are our way of recognising those who share and represent these values of inclusion and transformation.
“Her Majesty’s work in promoting literacy and literature over many years has transformed lives and embodies our belief in the education’s power to create positive change. Together with our other distinguished recipients, they represent the very best of public service and demonstrate how knowledge and dedication can transform our society for the better.”
Foundation Day marks the anniversary of the University’s first charter, granted 188 years ago in 1836 by William IV. This year’s ceremony will also honour four other distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to society:
· Dr Nahim Ahmed MBE – Honorary Doctorate of Science (Social Sciences)
· Professor Sir Michael Arthur – Honorary Doctorate of Science (Medicine)
· Anthony Neoh – Honorary Doctorate of Laws
· Abdul Fazal Bhanji OBE – Honorary Fellow
During the ceremony, the Chancellor will also celebrate several institutional milestones, including the addition of Brunel University of London to the University of London federation and the merger of City and St George’s into a single multi-faculty institution – City St George’s, University of London. Her Royal Highness will also commemorate the School of Advanced Study’s 30th anniversary, the 10th annual Being Human Festival, the 75th anniversary of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and the reopening of the Warburg Institute.
Foundation Day 2024 will be attended by students and staff of the University of London, representatives from Federation Member institutions and Regional Teaching Centres, and people with long-standing connections with the University.
👩🎓It was a special evening for Her Majesty The Queen who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by the University of London Chancellor, The Princess Royal. 🎉
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 20, 2024
The Doctorate was presented to The Queen, an avid reader, in recognition of her promotion of literacy and… pic.twitter.com/OrQJgbqFfH
