Home Blog Page 7

The Queen Visits London-Based Women’s Refuge

0
The Queen greets staff, companions and trustees during a visit to the Emmaus Community at Bobby Vincent House in West Norwood, south east London, which is part of Emmaus SLC (Surrey, Lambeth, Croydon), to learn about Emmaus's work in the UK to develop women-only provisions and how a women-only space is often important for women who have experienced homelessness, December 13, 2022.
The Queen greets staff, companions and trustees during a visit to the Emmaus Community at Bobby Vincent House in West Norwood, south east London, which is part of Emmaus SLC (Surrey, Lambeth, Croydon), to learn about Emmaus's work in the UK to develop women-only provisions and how a women-only space is often important for women who have experienced homelessness, December 13, 2022.

THE QUEEN HAS TODAY VISITED LONDON-BASED WOMEN’S REFUGE, THE ASHIANA NETWORK

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Her Majesty The Queen has today visited the Ashiana Network, which operates a number of women’s refuges based in London. The Ashiana Network supports South Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish women who have experienced traumas including domestic and sexual violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence, financial abuse and coercive control.

Today, at one of the Ashiana Network’s crisis accommodation houses in London, Her Majesty spent time with residents at the refuge who have recently escaped systematic violence and heard about the charity’s pioneering work to end violence against women and girls. The Queen has been a champion of preventing violence against women for more than a decade, including becoming patron of the UK charity, SafeLives, as Duchess of Cornwall in February 2021.

Her Majesty was shown the facility by a refuge resident, before meeting key staff including the Director of the Ashiana Network, Shaminder Ubhi, and representatives from partner organisations such as the GMSP Foundation and the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

The Ashiana Network is community-based project first established in 1989. It grew from a need for safe housing for young south Asian women who were experiencing familial domestic violence and began as a seven-bed house with resettlement support, becoming an independent charity in 1994.

The Network has since expanded to provide a range of services for South Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish women and girls and is nationally recognised as a high-quality ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) organisation.

The Princess of Wales to Officially Open New Children’s Day Surgery Unit

0
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Evelina Children's Hospital in London, 2019.
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Evelina Children's Hospital in London, 2019.

THE PRINCESS OF WALES WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN EVELINA LONDON’S NEW CHILDREN’S DAY SURGERY UNIT

Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1

Tuesday 5th December 2023

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Evelina London, will officially open the new Children’s Day Surgery Unit on Tuesday 5th December.

The new facility will transform care for children and young people who need surgery by providing everything they need in one place, delivering a family-focused experience which will enable the organisation to treat up to an additional 2,300 children a year. Housed in the state-of-the-art Children’s Day Treatment Centre, the unit has two brand new operating theatres. Families will benefit from a one-day service, with pre-surgery checks, the operation, and recovery all taking place seamlessly in one purposely designed space, on the same day.

During the visit, the Princess will tour the new unit following the journey a child takes on the day of their surgery. She will hear direct from families and staff about the huge impact it is already having and will meet some of the young people who have already had surgery there. Her Royal Highness will also see the space-themed artwork throughout the building, which was chosen and designed in collaboration with staff and patients to match the natural world theme of Evelina London’s main children’s hospital building.

Evelina London cares for around 104,000 children and young people each year across its dedicated children’s services, in hospital and in the community. The Princess of Wales has been patron since 2018.

His Majesty The King to Attend ‘Celebration of Craft’ Reception

0
Prince Charles with Kenneth Dunsmuir Executive Director at the Prince's Foundation as he arrives at The Dumfries House Health and Wellbeing Centre in Cumnock, 2019.
Prince Charles with Kenneth Dunsmuir Executive Director at the Prince's Foundation as he arrives at The Dumfries House Health and Wellbeing Centre in Cumnock, 2019.

HIS MAJESTY THE KING WILL ATTEND A ‘CELEBRATION OF CRAFT’ RECEPTION AT HIGHGROVE

Friday 8th December 2023

His Majesty The King will attend a festive themed ‘Celebration of Craft’ reception at Highgrove, hosted by The King’s Foundation. The King will meet students, tutors, and graduates from the foundation’s craft programmes.

His Majesty will meet graduates and tutors to see the work produced by The King’s Foundation’s Craft programmes, including the Métiers d’Art Fellowship, the School of Traditional Arts, and the Building Arts Programme.

The King’s Foundation believes it is crucial to preserve the wisdom and knowledge embodied in many traditional buildings that have shaped the historical built environment.

Of the 15,000 students who engage in The King’s Foundation’s education programmes each year, a significant proportion are involved in courses that teach traditional arts and crafts and promote the importance of maintaining skills to a high standard.

Graduates from The King’s Foundation’s programmes typically go on to help conserve and create some of the UK’s most important historic buildings, as well as heritage sites further afield, while also acting as advocates for crafts at risk of being lost.

Highgrove is home to The King’s Foundation craft programme, the Snowdon Summer School, the Snowdon School of Fine Furniture, the Métiers d’Arts Fellowship with Chanel, and short courses in fashion, textiles, and traditional building crafts.

Royal Family to Attend ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service

0
King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex during the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London, December, 2022.
King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, the Princess of Wales and the Countess of Wessex during the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London, December, 2022.

MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY TO ATTEND ‘TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS’ CAROL SERVICE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Friday 8th December 2023

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal Family, will attend the ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday 8th December.

Spearheaded by the Princess, and supported by the Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year. Linked to Her Royal Highness’ Shaping Us campaign, the service will showcase the hope of new life and why it is so important to build supportive, nurturing worlds around children and the adults in their lives.

Combining traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir perform some of the nation’s most beloved carols, alongside musical performances by guests including Jacob Collier, Freya Ridings and James Bay, and a special duet from Beverley Knight and Adam Lambert. Poignant readings will be delivered by speakers including the Prince of Wales, Micheal Ward, Emma Willis, Roman Kemp, and Jim Broadbent. A specially commissioned poem written by Joseph Coelho, the Children’s Laureate, will also be read by Leonie Elliott.

The event will be broadcast as part of ‘Royal Carols: Together At Christmas’, a special programme, airing at 7:45pm on ITV1 and ITV X on Christmas Eve. The broadcast will feature additional content including an introduction from the Princess of Wales and films which bring to life the importance of early childhood and celebrate the remarkable contribution people in our communities are making to support the very youngest members of our society during those crucial early years. These will include contributions from Rio and Kate Ferdinand, Ugo Monye, Andrea & Virginia Bocelli and Dame Sheila Hancock.

The service will see Westminster Abbey filled with sustainable, eco-friendly festive decorations, providing a beautiful Christmas backdrop, nodding to the theme of children and families. New features this year include a Christmas Post Box located outside the Abbey for children to send handmade Christmas cards and best wishes to other children who might be struggling this year.

In addition, guests will be treated to carols and Christmas songs upon arrival from the Action for Children Young Carers Aloud choir, made up of 12 young carers, the youngest of which is just 6 years old.

Guests attending the service have been nominated by Lord-Lieutenants across the nation, in addition to charities associated with members of the Royal Family. They will be joined by those working in the early years space which is a key focus area of the Princess of Wales’s work through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. It will also consist of those who may have had a challenging year, including children and families, or those who might find the winter period difficult.

• Cards posted to the Christmas Post Box will be distributed to a number of children’s charities following the service including Evelina London, British Red Cross, Child Bereavement UK, and East Anglia Children’s Hospice.

• The Action for Children Young Carers Aloud choir was set up in 2017 and sees children and young people from Wales, aged six to 19, come together for a deeper purpose as every member is a young carer who helps look after a member of their family. The charity protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. The Princess of Wales has been patron since 2019.

• Running in tandem with the service at the abbey, twelve community carol services will be taking place around the UK across December to provide a moment for people to come together and celebrate community work during the festive season. Hosted by Lord Lieutenants, and supported by The Royal Foundation, these events will be tailored to their local communities whilst also including elements of the Westminster Abbey service. Guests will also receive a special foreword written by the Princess of Wales.

These will be bespoke to each area and will be taking place in:

• Leominster Priory, Leominster, Herefordshire, Thursday 7th December

• Paces School, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Tuesday 5th December

• St Hilda’s Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, Friday 1st December

• Chapel of Clifton College, Bristol, Wednesday 13th December

• Uppingham Parish Church, Rutland, Saturday 2nd December

• Ortu Hassenbrooks Academy Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, Friday 8th December

• St Mary’s Church, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, Friday 8th December

• Cheshire Zoo (The Square at the Zoo events space), Chester, Cheshire, Wednesday 6th December

• Newport Cathedral, Wales, Wednesday 6th December

• St Columbs Cathedral, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Monday 11th December

• Dunfermline Abbey, Fife, Scotland, Friday 8th December

• St Deiniols Cathedral, Bangor, Wales, Wednesday 6th December

These services have been supported by Hobbycraft and Co-op through the provision of items to enhance guest experiences and help to create magical community events, including refreshments and decorations.

Her Majesty The Queen Invites Children to Decorate Christmas Tree

0
The Duchess of Cornwall decorates the Clarence House Christmas tree with the help of children supported by Helen & Douglas House and The London Taxi Drivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children, 2015.
The Duchess of Cornwall decorates the Clarence House Christmas tree with the help of children supported by Helen & Douglas House and The London Taxi Drivers' Fund for Underprivileged Children, 2015.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN INVITES CHILDREN TO DECORATE THE CLARENCE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE

Wednesday 6th December 2023

Her Majesty The Queen will invite children supported by Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity to decorate the Christmas tree and receive a few festive surprises.

Each year, the Queen invites children to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House. This December, the event will be attended by children and families supported by Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. The children also will watch a performance by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles and will receive a special surprise visit from Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Helen & Douglas House

Helen House was the world’s first children’s hospice when it opened in 1982, and this year is celebrating its 41st anniversary. Helen & Douglas House cares for local terminally ill children and their families from Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties.

They provide medical, emotional and practical support, helping families deal with the implications of living with a child who will die prematurely, so they can make the most of their time together.

As Duchess of Cornwall, Her Majesty became Patron of Helen & Douglas House in 2007 and this will be the seventeenth time that families supported by the charity, along with hospice staff, have been invited to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House.

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity provides specialist nurses and support for seriously ill children with some of the most complex health conditions in the UK. The children they support often have multiple conditions, which require lifelong specialist care. Over 120 Roald Dahl Nurses currently support more than 33,000 seriously ill children. The dedication and expertise of Roald Dahl Nurses reduces waiting times, A&E visits, and hospital admissions. They are also a vital lifeline for the whole family, coordinating care and providing the highest level of emotional support.

Her Majesty became Patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity in 2017 as Duchess of Cornwall and this will be the seventh time that families supported by the charity have been invited to Clarence House to decorate the tree.

Charles III: The Coronation Year

0
King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown, leaves Westminster Abbey in central London following his coronation ceremony, May 6, 2023.
King Charles III, wearing the Imperial State Crown, leaves Westminster Abbey in central London following his coronation ceremony, May 6, 2023.

A BBC film is to feature exclusive footage of the King and Queen in the first year of King Charles’s reign.

Camera crews were given access to King Charles III and Queen Camilla after the death of the Queen, leading up to the coronation and the months following.

The 90-minute documentary is narrated by actress Helena Bonham Carter, who played the late Queen’s sister Princess Margaret in The Crown.

It is due to air in December, as part of the BBC’s Christmas programming.

Charles III: The Coronation Year follows the King and Queen as they took on their new roles as sovereign and consort, and as Buckingham Palace planned the first coronation in 70 years.

A previously unseen image released from the documentary shows the King in a suit and tie, sitting in the Coronation Chair during one of the dress rehearsals in Westminster Abbey ahead of his crowning.

The BBC said the programme features “moments of great poignancy and humour” and offers a “unique perspective on the inner workings behind a defining moment which marks a new era in the history of the monarchy.”

Simon Young, the BBC’s head of history, factual commissioning, said: “At the heart of this story is a man who is taking on the job that has always awaited him. Everyone wants to know how he takes on that challenge.”

The King’s first 12 months as monarch were filled with events including Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, a state visit by the South African president, his first Christmas broadcast, Royal Ascot, Trooping the Colour and an overseas visit to Germany.

The King and Queen were crowned in May in a deeply religious ceremony, followed by a week of celebrations.

It is not known if there is any mention in the film of the more personal aspects of the King’s life, such as his relationship with the Duke of Sussex whose memoir Spare and Netflix documentary were also released during his first year of reign.

Kate Phillips, who is responsible for the commissioning of unscripted content at the BBC, described the access given to the documentary crew as “extraordinary”.

“It’s a real privilege to be given such extraordinary behind-the-scenes access to the first year of King Charles’s reign,” she said.

“It is a remarkable time in history and this documentary will offer a unique insight into King Charles and Queen Camilla, and the preparation and planning leading to their coronation, a momentous ceremony watched by millions around the world.”

It is not the first time the Royal Family has given TV cameras close access to their day to day lives – Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip allowed the BBC and ITV to film behind the scenes for a documentary in 1969.

The Princess of Wales to Visit Sebby’s Corner

0
The Princess of Wales during a visit to Riversley Park Children's Centre in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, to meet with health visitors taking part in a new field study, funded by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which aims to support the profession to promote infant wellbeing and social and emotional development, June 15, 2023.
The Princess of Wales during a visit to Riversley Park Children's Centre in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, to meet with health visitors taking part in a new field study, funded by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which aims to support the profession to promote infant wellbeing and social and emotional development, June 15, 2023.

THE PRINCESS OF WALES WILL VISIT SEBBY’S CORNER TO KICKSTART INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES

Barnet, London

Friday 24th November 2023

The Princess of Wales will visit Sebby’s Corner in Barnet on Friday 24th November to kickstart an initiative from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to provide support to families with young children in the run up to Christmas.

Sebby’s Corner was formed in January 2021 and provides items to families in need across Barnet, Hertfordshire and London. Families are referred by a large network of referral partners which includes professionals such as midwives, health visitors and teachers. Since opening, Sebby’s Corner has supported over 5,000 families and has seen year on year increase in referrals.

Powered by local communities, baby banks provide a vital lifeline for families in all sorts of challenging circumstances. The visit comes as the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood published an “Issues Index”, which found that a third of the general public cite financial pressures as the biggest issue facing parents and carers in 2023. During her visit, the Princess will hear about the crucial work baby banks do across the UK to get essential items to families, including clothing, nappies, toiletries and baby equipment.

Whilst at Sebby’s Corner, the Princess will meet a mother who has been supported by the charity as well as the referral partner who made the referral. Her Royal Highness will join volunteers and Shaping Us champion, Giovanna Fletcher, in putting the final touches to Sebby’s annual Christmas Grotto. The Christmas Grotto provides a space where families who are struggling the chance to choose gifts for their children. Finally, the Princess will join a conversation with representatives from Baby Banks from across the UK to discuss the increasing demand on their services.

There are more than 200 baby banks around the country, all of which are currently seeing rising demand for their services. The Centre for Early Childhood will be encouraging members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time, to support their local baby banks throughout December. Several Shaping Us Champions will also be adding their voice to the drive.

As highlighted in the Shaping Us campaign which the Princess launched in January, our relationships, experiences, and surroundings in our earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives. Organisations like Baby Banks can help relieve some of the stresses and strains they face and in turn give parents and carers the capacity to provide the nurturing care which is so important to babies and very young children. Supporting parents and carers, who are doing their best to provide for their families in incredibly challenging circumstances, is essential and can have a life-changing impact.

Baby banks representatives joining the Princess of Wales are members of the newly forming national Baby Bank Alliance, led by Save the Children, Little Village, Purposeful Ventures and Baby Bank Network Bristol. The alliance is forming so baby banks can come together as one voice and boost the impact of the incredible work they are doing to support families across the country.

Her Royal Highness has been a long-standing supporter of baby banks having visited many across the country. In the summer of 2020, the Princess also brought together 19 British brands and retailers to donate over 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks nationwide, operated by Little Village, Baby Basics and AberNecessities.

The Prince of Wales to Visit The Mercian Regiment

0
The Prince of Wales observes a royal Salute from the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment before presenting campaign medals for service in Afghanistan outside Sandringham House on the Royal Estate in Norfolk, 2019.
The Prince of Wales observes a royal Salute from the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment before presenting campaign medals for service in Afghanistan outside Sandringham House on the Royal Estate in Norfolk, 2019.

THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL VISIT THE MERCIAN REGIMENT ON SALISBURY PLAIN

Thursday 23rd November 2023

The Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, will visit the Regiment for the first time on Thursday 23rd November at Salisbury Plain.

The Prince was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment by His Majesty The King in August this year. This visit will give His Royal Highness the opportunity to have a firsthand introduction to the regiment, meet service personnel from different departments and see the armoured infantry work the regiment carries out.

Created in 2007, the Mercian Regiment provides the fighting element of the British Armed Forces and consists of service personnel recruited from the five counties that formed the ancient kingdom of Mercia: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The Mercian Regiment has been deployed on more than ten operational tours since its formation, making it one of the most operationally experienced regiments.

On arrival on Salisbury Plain, the Prince will receive a briefing on the work the regiment has been carrying out recently, including its preparation for Op LINOTYPER 24 next year. The operation will see 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team (12 ABCT) be deployed to Poland to provide a range of services including combat engineering, bridge crossing and air defence.

Following this, His Royal Highness will receive a briefing on a Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle before being taken into the vehicle to observe an attack exercise on Salisbury Plain.

Finally, the Prince will meet groups of service personnel to hear about their different roles and experiences in the regiment.

The Prince and Princess of Wales to Attend the Royal Variety Performance

0
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge applauding after watching the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London, November 18, 2021.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge applauding after watching the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London, November 18, 2021.

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES WILL ATTEND THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE WITH CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA AND PRINCE DANIEL OF SWEDEN

Royal Albert Hall, London SW7

Thursday 30th November 2023

The Prince and Princess of Wales will attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 30th November, together with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden.

The Royal Variety Performance takes place every year, either in London or in a theatre around the United Kingdom. The event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, which supports members of the entertainment industry with a nationwide grants scheme, to help those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry during this very difficult economic climate.

The evening will be hosted by Bradley Walsh and will include a number of performances across theatre, comedy and music with a headline performance from multi-award-winning singer, Cher. There will also be an exclusive 100th anniversary celebration from Disney Theatrical as well as performances from Zara Larsson, Paloma Faith and Lang Lang.

The Swedish royal couple will pay a three-day official visit to the United Kingdom from 29 November to 1 December.

The King to Mark Conclusion of Global Investment Summit

0
Queen Elizabeth II greets Bill Gates at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle, to mark the Global Investment Summit, October 19, 2021.
Queen Elizabeth II greets Bill Gates at a reception for international business and investment leaders at Windsor Castle, to mark the Global Investment Summit, October 19, 2021.

HIS MAJESTY THE KING WILL HOST A RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE TO MARK THE GLOBAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT 2023

Monday 27th November 2023

The King will host a reception at Buckingham Palace to mark the conclusion of the Global Investment Summit (GIS).

On arrival, His Majesty will formally receive the Prime Minister and be introduced to attendees of the Global Investment Summit.

The Global Investment Summit is being hosted by the UK Government at Hampton Court Palace on Monday 27th November. The GIS will bring together global business leaders and investors to showcase the UK as a world-leading investment destination and highlight high growth sectors such as digital technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and green industries.

The event will build on the success of the inaugural Global Investment Summit in October 2021, which demonstrated the UK’s commitment to green investment ahead of COP26.The Global Investment Summit reception comes ahead of His Majesty’s attendance at the opening ceremony of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28 UAE in Dubai on Friday 1st December 2023.

Latest news