THE DUCHESS OF ROTHESAY WILL OPEN THE BRITISH AIRWAYS LOUNGE, ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DYCE, ABERDEEN

TUESDAY, 16TH OCTOBER 2018

HRH will open the newly-completed British Airways Lounge at Aberdeen International Airport, Dyce, Aberdeen, Scotland AB21 7DU. During the visit, The Duchess will meet British Airways staff and representatives involved in the project.

The new lounge located within the recently completed extension of Aberdeen International Airport, follows the recent unveiling of the first in the new series of lounges at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

The airline has created zones throughout the 380sq metre lounge and there is a seating area and lobby with views overlooking the runway. Throughout the day there will be a wide range of food available and those travelling on early morning flights will be able to enjoy local delicacy, Aberdeen Rowies, which will be on offer for breakfast.

British Airways’ new Aberdeen lounge also features local artwork from the airline’s Art Collection, including ‘The Long Winding Shores’ by Maddie Rose Hills inspired by Kinlochewe in the Scottish Highlands.

British Airways’ New York JFK Terminal 7 will be the next lounge to open under the new design concept, with improvements being made there to the customer experience at check-in. The airline also has further investment planned in Geneva, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Chicago and its lounges at Heathrow. British Airways are investing £4.5billion over the next 5 years to help improve customer experience. This will include the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors, taking delivery of 72 new aircraft and new airport lounges.

OCTOBER 2018

ROYAL WEDDINGS AT WINDSOR CASTLE

October may not be known typically as wedding season, but it is for us this year. Princess Eugenie is marrying Mr Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel on 12 October, and just a few weeks later on 26 October the outfits from our first royal wedding of the year, between Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, will be on display at Windsor Castle.

TRAIL

Royal wedding dresses through the ages

With Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank’s wedding taking place soon, we take a look back at dresses which former brides chose for their own wedding day.

Often the dress worn by the bride is reflective of contemporary fashion and the bride’s personal style, we see this not only in The Duchess of Sussex’s simple elegant gown for her May wedding, but also further back in history, when Queen Victoria wore a plain court dress with a lace flounce.

See the dresses.

EXHIBITION

A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Windsor Castle
26 October 2018 – 6 January 2019
Continuing the royal wedding theme this month, it is just a couple of weeks until our special exhibition at Windsor Castle opens. See close up the five-metre-long veil made from silk tulle and embroidered with the flora of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

Book tickets.

EXHIBITION

Last chance to see our Canaletto exhibition

The Queen’s Gallery, Edinburgh
Until 21 October
Don’t miss the art of Venice in our exhibition showcasing many of the Royal Collection’s finest paintings by Canaletto. Be transported to a leisurely stroll along the side of the Grand Canal through the many detailed images on display.

Visit the exhibition.

PRIVATE VIEW / TOUR

Exclusive Evening Tours

Windsor Castle
30 October – 28 December
Book an Exclusive Evening Tour this winter for a ‘behind-the-ropes’ experience in the State Apartments. This is the best opportunity to enjoy the special exhibition A Royal Wedding without the crowds.

VISIT

Explore the carriages in The Royal Mews

The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace
This month the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace will be busy with activity due to a State Visit from The King and Queen of the Netherlands. Find out more about the historic carriages housed in the Mews.

Find out more.

The Duke of Cambridge unveils new United for Wildlife declaration to tackle illegal wildlife trade

In an unprecedented move, global financial organisations will join together to sign the ‘Mansion House Declaration’ as part of United for Wildlife’s Financial Taskforce meeting on Wednesday 10th October, agreeing that they “will not knowingly facilitate or tolerate financial flows that are derived from IWT and associated corruption”.

The declaration includes commitments to sharing resources and intelligence in a bid to disrupt the illegal income generated by poached animal products such as elephant tusks, rhino horn and pangolin scales.

The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is organised crime on a global scale, estimated to be worth up to $23 billion annually, and is linked to money laundering, corruption and extreme violence, as well as the trafficking of drugs and weapons.

The Financial Taskforce is being convened by His Royal Highness through his charity United for Wildlife, which is run by The Royal Foundation. The Taskforce will be chaired by Lord Hague of Richmond, and will initially comprise of representatives from 30 global banks and financial organisations such as Standard Chartered, HSBC, RBS and Bank of America, and agencies and regulatory bodies including TRAFFIC and RUSI.

Using existing frameworks for tackling global financial crime, alongside initiatives which some financial institutions are already utilising to tackle IWT, a bank-led experts group comprising of representatives from financial organisations, legal advisors and technical experts has created the Mansion House Declaration which outlines six commitments:

1. Increasing awareness of how the financial industry can combat IWT

2. Providing training to identify and investigate suspicious activity

3. Providing intelligence to regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies

4. Reviewing intelligence alerts received through the Taskforce and taking appropriate actions

5. Considering additional actions such as policy amendments

6. Supporting and promoting the work of the Taskforce and external supporting mechanisms

The Declaration follows on from the success of United for Wildlife’s Transportation Taskforce, and the Buckingham Palace Declaration.

Since the launch of the Transportation Taskforce, more than 100 organisations, including shipping and airline companies, law enforcement, trade bodies and NGOs, have signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, committing to combat IWT in the transport sector.

Taskforce members have delivered specific counter-IWT training to more than 25,000 front line staff, contributed to 5 seizures of wildlife products worth over $500,000, and assisted with more than 32 law enforcement investigations and the arrests of 8 wildlife traffickers.

The Mansion House Declaration will also be signed by Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for International Development, in recognition of the UK Government’s commitment to the issue, and the conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, taking place in London from 11th – 12th October 2018. The Conference, at which The Duke of Cambridge will deliver the keynote speech, will focus on tackling IWT as a serious organised crime. The creation of the Financial Taskforce is a key step towards organisations from around the world helping to support this mission.

Chair of the Taskforce, Lord Hague of Richmond said: “The illegal wildlife trade has grown substantially in recent years, despite considerable international efforts, and poaching rates for many species are still increasing to feed the growing criminal demand.

“Traffickers are brazenly exploiting global financial systems to move the proceeds of their crimes, remaining under the radar of investigation and law enforcement. Financial institutions can, therefore, play a crucial role in disrupting such criminal activities and ending the illegal wildlife trade.

“It will take a truly global approach, with multiple organisations and sectors working together, to eradicate this barbaric trade and so I am delighted that the financial sector is now committing its much needed support to do so.”

David Fein, Group General Counsel at Standard Chartered and Vice-Chair of the Taskforce said: “By following the money, financial institutions can help map the criminal networks and provide law enforcement with vital intelligence to support their investigations and prosecutions.

“We want to take the fight to the traffickers, by using the tools and experience the financial sector has learned from combatting other devastating crimes, such as human trafficking and terrorist financing.”

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL HOST THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF UNITED FOR WILDLIFE’S FINANCIAL TASKFORCE DECLARATION

London

Wednesday 10th October, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge, President of United for Wildlife, will host a meeting of the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce and signing of The United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce Declaration on Wednesday 10th October.

The Duke has worked with Lord Hague of Richmond to convene the financial sector to join the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

The creation of the Financial Taskforce follows on from the success of the of United for Wildlife’s Transportation Taskforce, and the signing of the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, which saw global transport industry leaders come together to identify ways the transport sector can close down criminal supply routes, and thwart the traffickers as part of efforts to address the urgent poaching crisis.

The ceremony is taking place ahead of the international Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference, which is being hosted in London by the UK Government from the 11th-12th October.

The Duke will join a roundtable discussion with Lord Hague and the signatories, at which His Royal Highness will deliver some opening remarks. After the discussion, Lord Hague will invite those around the table to sign the Declaration. His Royal Highness will then join a group photograph with the signatories before attending a short reception.

Full details will be announced early next week.

The Queen will visit the Royal Air Force Club to mark its centenary year

Wednesday 17th October

Her Majesty The Queen, Patron, Royal Air Force Club, will undertake a visit to the Club to mark its centenary year. During the visit, Her Majesty will officially open its new wing and unveil a series of newly-commissioned artworks.

The Queen will tour and formally open the newly added wing, which houses amenities including a fitness suite and business centre, before meeting long-serving RAF Club staff.

Following the tour, The Queen will unveil a new stained-glass window in the Club, designed to commemorate women in the Royal Air Force. The new artwork has been created by artist and designer Helen Whittaker, and aims to highlight the development of female roles in the RAF over its 100 years. Her Majesty will have the opportunity to speak with female representatives from the RAF.

Finally, The Queen will unveil a new portrait depicting Her Majesty earlier this year. Painted by BP Portrait Award 2017 winner, Benjamin Sullivan, the portrait was commissioned to celebrate 100 years of the RAF Club.

The RAF Club was founded in 1918 and formally opened its doors in 1922. On 12th March 1922, the Club was visited by Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary. The Club is open to former and serving officers of the Royal Air Force. The Queen has been Patron of the Club since 1952 and last visited its premises in 2012.

What’s happening at Historic Royal Palaces, January – March 2019?

2019 is set to be another bumper year at Historic Royal Palaces, with a huge number of exciting events, activities, talks and exhibitions for visitors to enjoy across our sites.

At both Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace the Baroque era reigns supreme this spring, with hands-on family activities exploring the lives of Queen Anne and the late Stuart monarchs taking place over the February half term. Throughout LGBT History Month, a range of talks and tours will also be taking place at Kensington Palace that will consider royal influence on queer culture throughout history.

Over at the Tower of London, get set for a swashbuckling February half term with the return of Knight School. Travel back to a world of heraldry and valour and explore all the essential skills of a medieval warrior on a quest to become a knight of the Tower!

To experience all that the palaces have to offer this spring, Historic Royal Palaces memberships provide access to all six sites for a whole year from just £52 for individuals or £74 for a family.

Events

Life in the Medieval Palace
2 January – 31 March
Tower of London

Step back 700 years and enter the Tower of London’s Medieval Palace, home of King Edward I, Hammer of the Scots. Meet characters from the past, including Edward’s new wife and Queen, Margaret of France and enjoy live drama exploring a world of chivalrous knights, troublesome lords and royal prisoners.

Included in Tower of London admission.

The Drawing Room: A Queer Royal History
2 February
Kensington Palace

What influence has royalty had on Queer culture? Join an afternoon of talks, debates, workshops, tours and performances to discover the impact royals past and present have had on media, culture and LGBT+ identities.

Tickets: £40 via www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

Knight School – Defend the Tower!
16 February – 24 February
Tower of London

This February half term become a knight and defend the Tower of London!  From manners, etiquette and entertainment, to martial skills and fitness, learn the essential components of a Knight’s arsenal. Finally, the training culminates in a knighting ceremony, where new recruits are enlisted to defend the Tower and keep the great landmark safe from marauding invaders.

Included in Tower of London admission.

Life in the Baroque Palace
16 February – 24 February
Hampton Court Palace

Experience life in the Baroque Palace and meet characters from the past this February half term at Hampton Court. Perfect for all the family, visitors can enjoy live drama and hands-on activities exploring the stories of Queen Anne and her courtiers.

Included in Hampton Court Palace admission.

Party at the Palace
17 February – 22 February
Kensington Palace

This February half term, come and join in the gossip, display and fun of the Baroque court at Kensington Palace. Take part in traditional court games for a chance to meet Queen Anne, along with other hands-on activities perfect for all the family.

Included in Kensington Palace admission.

Palace Pride Tours
February (check website for dates and times)
Kensington Palace

From Queen Anne’s turbulent relationship with Sarah Churchill to the dandies and cross-dressers of the Georgian period, throughout its royal history Kensington Palace has played host to LGBT+ residents, guests and supporters. New to the palace for 2019, experience an out-of-hours guided tour exploring the loves, losses and lives of these LGBT+ characters of Kensington’s past.

Tickets: £15 via www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace

Florimania: Embroidered Treasures of Hampton Court Palace
29 – 31 March
Hampton Court Palace

This Mother’s Day weekend, the much-loved Florimania extravaganza will be returning to the King’s State Apartments at Hampton Court Palace, bringing the opulent interiors to life with vibrant floral displays and the sweet scents of spring. This year’s theme is ‘Embroidered treasures of Hampton Court Palace’ and will see the flower arrangements complemented by a variety of historical objects, including rare textiles from the Royal School of Needlework’s archives, showcasing how flowers have inspired embroidery throughout history.

Included in Hampton Court Palace admission.

THE DUCHESS OF ROTHESAY WILL CARRY OUT ENGAGEMENTS IN ABERDEENSHIRE

11th – 12th October 2018

Thursday 11th October

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay will visit Alford Community Campus, Greystone Road, Alford, AB33 8TY. During the visit, The Duchess will meet pupils and staff from local primary schools, join a cookery class in a Home Economics classroom and watch a Harvest Festival performance.

Alford Community Campus was officially opened in November 2015 and caters for pupils in early years, primary and secondary education. The campus features a library, theatre, dance studio, sports hall, gym, community rooms and a swimming pool and is well used by the local community.

The academy and the primary schools in the Alford network are joining for a celebration of harvest time and their local communities, at the new campus. The schools have been working on a variety of projects and will be showing a range of produce, craft and art ahead of a commemorative event in the theatre.

Friday 12th October

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay will visit Crathie Primary School, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5UL. The Duchess will see displays created by the children in celebration of the Cairngorms.

Her Royal Highness will then visit The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion, The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar, Aberdeenshire.

On arrival, Her Royal Highness will be greeted by schoolchildren from Braemar Primary School who have been given a special preview of the Pavilion in the presence of Her Royal Highness, before meeting Mr David Geddes, President of the Braemar Royal Highland Society, and Mr Robert Lovie of The Prince’s Foundation who will explain the project and the building.  Inside the Pavilion, Her Royal Highness will meet representatives of the Braemar Gathering, the Braemar Royal Highland Society.  The Duchess and the schoolchildren will then view a performance of Highland Dancing.

The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion is a new heritage centre in Braemar which tells the story of Highland Games and Gatherings while providing a major year-round tourist attraction in the north-east of Scotland.

Incorporating The Wirth Room, The Milne Gallery, and The Kauffman Exhibition Hall, as well as a café and gift shop, The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion will not only tell the story of Royal links to Braemar but of Highland Games across the world.

The Pavilion is expected to open to the public early next year and will be the first centre of its kind, with the development supported by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, who has driven the project through his newly-established charity The Prince’s Foundation. The Prince’s Foundation was formed as a result of the merger of four of The Prince’s existing charities on April 1. One of the legacy charities, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, was responsible for designing the Pavilion.

The facility, which has gained favour from villagers and the backing of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, will also provide a new headquarters for the Braemar Royal Highland Society.

The structure will be located adjacent to the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, home to the Braemar Gathering since the early 1900s, with the design influenced by the setting of the venue in the Cairngorms National Park and the traditional architecture found around the venue and the village of Braemar itself.

STATE VISIT OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS

23rd – 24th October 2018

His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Maxima, will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as the guests of The Queen from 23rd to 24th October 2018. Their Majesties will stay at Buckingham Palace during the visit.

This will be the first State Visit to the UK by The King and Queen of the Netherlands.

The last State Visit from the Netherlands was by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus in November 1982. Before that, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard paid a State Visit to the UK in April 1972.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh paid a State Visit to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in March 1958.

TUESDAY 23rd OCTOBER

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will greet The King and Queen of the Netherlands on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence on Tuesday morning. The King and Queen will have arrived privately in the UK the day before (Monday 22nd October).

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel with Their Majesties to Horse Guards Parade, where The King and Queen will receive a Ceremonial Welcome.

The Queen will formally welcome The King and Queen on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Dutch National Anthem will be played. The King, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. Afterwards, The King and Queen will join The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for a State Carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, given by The Queen, Her Majesty will invite The King and Queen of the Netherlands to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery, made up of items from the Royal Collection relating to the Netherlands.

Afterwards, The King and Queen will visit Westminster Abbey, where The King and Queen will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior as prayers are said by the Dean. They will then be taken on a short tour of the Abbey, which will include visiting the resting place of William and Mary.

Later on, The King and Queen will visit the Palace of Westminster, where they will be welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. The King will deliver an Address in the Royal Gallery to Parliamentarians and other guests, followed by a reception with Members and invited guests.

In the afternoon The King and The Queen will meet The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House.

Afterwards, The King and The Queen will receive an official call by the Leader of the Opposition, The Rt Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP, at Buckingham Palace.

In the evening, Her Majesty The Queen will give a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for The King and Queen of the Netherlands. Her Majesty The Queen and The King will both make speeches at the start of the banquet.

WEDNESDAY 24th OCTOBER

On Wednesday morning, Their Majesties will attend a breakfast given by the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation at Mansion House, alongside business representatives from both the UK and the Netherlands. The King and Queen will be accompanied by The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The breakfast will be followed by a UK-Netherlands Innovation Showcase, also at Mansion House, and hosted by the Department for International Trade Minister for Investment and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe. The event will provide interactive demonstrations of cutting-edge technology from UK and Dutch tech start-ups, including the Exo-Skeleton by Project MARCH and Hypervsn, to showcase the Netherlands and the UK as partners in innovation.

The King and Queen will then travel to HMS Belfast, where the Dutch vessel HNLMS ZEELAND, currently in the UK for training purposes, will be moored alongside. Accompanied by The Duke of Kent, Their Majesties will meet with representatives and veterans from both the UK and Netherlands Armed Forces, before watching an on-the-water capability demonstration. The demonstration will showcase the 45 years of cooperation between the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Marines. Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex will also be present.

The King and Queen will then travel to south London community project Pop Brixton. Housed in shipping containers, Pop Brixton has converted disused land in the area into a creative space for local, independent businesses and social enterprises. Their Majesties will be accompanied on the visit by The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses will hear about the vision behind the project from its founders, before touring the space and seeing the on-site community farm and fridge.

During the tour, Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses will meet with organisations currently benefiting from facilities offered by Pop Brixton. Amongst them will be Bounce Back, a charity and social enterprise focussed on the training and employment of ex-offenders. They will also meet with representatives from businesses who have “graduated” from Pop Brixton, and an art class for local children will be underway.

Following this, The King and Queen will visit No. 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Theresa May MP.

The King and Queen of the Netherlands will then formally bid farewell to The Queen at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon. Their Majesties will depart privately from London.

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE TO OPEN V&A PHOTOGRAPHY CENTRE

London

Wednesday 10th October, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge will make her first visit as Royal Patron of the V&A to open the museum’s new Photography Centre on Wednesday 10th October.

Her Royal Highness will tour the opening display at the Photography Centre entitled Collecting Photography: From Daguerreotype to Digital. The display explores photography from the medium’s invention in the 19th century to the present day. Drawn from the V&A’s collection of over 800,000 photographs, the display showcases contemporary photography alongside seminal prints by pioneers William Henry Fox Talbot, Julia Margaret Cameron and Roger Fenton. During her tour of the exhibition, The Duchess will meet curators who have worked on the project, before unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the Centre.

The new Photography Centre will more than double the space dedicated to photography where prints, negatives, camera equipment, photographic publications and original documents will be displayed together to tell a broader story of international photography. A frequently changing selection of new acquisitions, a ‘Light Wall’ for displaying the most cutting-edge photographic imagery, and a ‘Dark Tent’ projection area complete the new space.

The Duchess became the first Royal Patron of the V&A in March 2018.