THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL ATTEND AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE TUSK RHINO TRAIL

London

Monday 10th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge, Royal Patron of Tusk, will attend an event at Kensington Palace Gardens to celebrate the Tusk Rhino Trail.

The Tusk Rhino Trail is a London wide art installation that celebrates the magnificence of the rhino, and draws attention to the critical threat facing rhino populations across Africa due to a global poaching crisis. The illegal wildlife trade is now the fourth largest criminal industry in the world, after drugs, arms and human trafficking. Each of the 21 rhinos that make up the trail has been specially designed and decorated by internationally renowned artists.

The Duke will visit the trail at Kensington Palace Gardens where award-winning illustrator Axel Scheffler’s Rhino has been installed. A total of seven rhinos will be on show for the event. These unique works of art are on public display at iconic London sites until World Rhino Day on 22nd September. They will then be auctioned at Christie’s on 9th October 2018. The funds raised will provide vital support for Tusk’s conservation projects protecting rhino and other iconic African species.

Tusk was established in 1990 at the height of the previous poaching crisis, when elephant and rhino were slaughtered in their thousands to meet the demand of the illegal wildlife trade. Tusk partners with Africa’s conservationists to protect endangered species and combat poaching, working towards a future in which people and wildlife can both thrive across the African continent. Since its formation, the charity has invested more than £40m into over 80 field projects across 21 African countries. Each of these projects protects wildlife, and help to alleviate poverty through sustainable development and education. The charity has been actively involved in The Duke’s international efforts to halt the illegal wildlife trade.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION FOR THE ROYAL AFRICAN SOCIETY

The British Academy, London

Wednesday 12th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge, Patron of the Royal African Society (RAS), will attend a reception at the British Academy. At the event The Duke will meet fellow members and explore in greater depth the work the Society does globally in the spheres of business, politics, academia, arts and education. His Royal Highness will also make his first speech in his role as Patron of the RAS.

The RAS is the longest standing institution dedicated to promoting Africa in the UK across multiple sectors, and strengthening understanding and equitable relations between Britain, Africa and the rest of the world. Prior to the reception, His Royal Highness will attend a private roundtable with experts from the fields of business and academia that will touch on the opportunities and challenges the continent faces today. The Duke will then enter the reception, which is an Autumn networking event for RAS members and partners. The Royal African Society has a diverse and influential membership network made up of individuals, companies and organisations who take a proactive interest in Africa. Their networking receptions and programme of events provide an opportunity for members to connect, share ideas and develop partnerships.

Prior to The Duke of Cambridge, The Queen was Patron of the RAS for 64 years.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL ATTEND THE GRAND OPENING OF JAPAN HOUSE LONDON

London

Thursday 13th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will attend the grand opening of Japan House London on Thursday 13th September. His Royal Highness will be accompanied on his visit by Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Taro Aso. Japan House London is the newest hub for JAPAN HOUSE, an international project with other centres based in Los Angeles and Sao Paulo. Japan House London aims to create a greater understanding of Japan amongst a UK audience, and to deepen cultural, social and economic bonds between the two nations. The building includes exhibition, event and workshop spaces, a library, a restaurant and a shop.

The Duke, who previously visited Japan in 2015, will tour the facilities and learn about how the space is being used to promote and expand links between Japan and the UK. The visit will also look ahead to the upcoming Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020. Based on an agreement between the Prime Ministers of Japan and the UK in August 2017, the Season of Culture will take place between 2019 and 2020, bridging the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Throughout the Season of Culture, the British Council will lead a series of activities in Japan, whilst the Japanese government will lead on activities in the UK.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will view the ‘Biology of Metal: Metal Craftsmanship in Tsubame-Sanjo’ exhibition and meet with designers and craftspeople. The exhibition presents an illustration of how craftsmanship and small industry are embedded in tradition, and how they are adapting to a changing society. The Duke will also learn about Japan House London’s educational programme, which works with local schools to expand knowledge of Japanese culture. His Royal Highness will visit a workshop, demonstrating the ancient craft of copper-beating, and the building’s Akira restaurant where children will be learning chopstick and origami skills.

Finally, The Duke will make a short speech and unveil a plaque, officially opening Japan House London. His Royal Highness will end his visit by inviting those present to join him in a kampai toast.

The kampai toast will be made with a small sample of sake from Tsubame-Sanjo served in a masu, a square, wooden sake cup used on celebratory occasions.

Read all about the Duke of Cambridge’s 2015 visit to Japan in issue 15 of Royal Life.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE LAUNCHES ‘MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK’

The Engine Shed, Bristol

Tuesday 11th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will launch ‘Mental Health at Work’ – a new initiative from Heads Together and the mental health charity Mind.

Funded by The Royal Foundation, Mental Health at Work is a new online gateway to resources, training and information that will change the way that we approach workplace mental health across the UK.

His Royal Highness will attend workshops that demonstrate the gateway, meet with people trialing the system, visit companies based at The Engine Shed and make a speech to officially launch the programme. Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, and António Horta Osório, CEO of Lloyds Bank, will also speak at the event.

Mental Health at Work is one of the initiatives being driven by The Duke as part of his ongoing work with Heads Together. Mind is one of the eight Heads Together charity partners.

During the engagement His Royal Highness will be meeting representatives from a number of organisations who have shown leadership in promoting good mental health in their own workplaces to discuss the roll out of the Mental Health Gateway nationally, and how it fulfils the ambition of the Thriving at Work recommendations (published in October 2017). The discussion will focus on the importance of leadership in moving from talking to action.

Mental Health at Work

Recent research from Mind demonstrated that employers wanted to make mental health a priority, but that as many as a third didn’t know where to find the resources they needed to get started. This online service is designed to make it easier for everyone to find the tools and information they need to make mental health at work a priority.

• An estimated 300,000 people have to leave their job each year due to a mental health problem. (i)
• The impact of mental health issues costs UK employers between £33 billion and £42 billion every year. (ii)
• Despite spending so much of our lives at work, a Heads Together report showed that only 1 in 4 people feel comfortable opening up about mental health to a colleague, and just 2% feel comfortable about going to HR. (iii)
• A third of all employers say they struggle to find the information they need to correctly support the mental health of their employees. (iv)

Mental Health at Work is designed to be used by any firm, no matter how big or small, and regardless of the type of industry or location. It is primarily designed to support anyone with managerial or personnel responsibilities, but also has resources for anyone in the workplace.

(i) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658145/thriving-at-work-stevenson-farmer-review.pdf#page=18

(ii) https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/public-sector/articles/mental-health-employers-review.html

(iii) Survey of 14,000 people by YouGov, 2017 https://www.headstogether.org.uk/changing-the-conversation/

(iv) Research conducted by Mind, surveying over 600employers, shows that while many people want to make a change regarding mental health in their workplace, over a third weren’t able to find what they needed online

‘A Royal Wedding – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ Exhibition

The Royal Collection Trust is pleased to announce that the wedding outfits of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be on display at Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse during 2018-2019.

See Prince Harry’s Blues and Royals frockcoat uniform, and admire the elegance of the bride’s wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, with its five-metre-long veil delicately embroidered with every national flower from all 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Also on public display for the first time will be the diamond and platinum bandeau tiara, lent to the bride by Her Majesty The Queen.

Windsor Castle – 26 October 2018 to 6 January 2019

Tickets to the exhibition A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are included in the standard admission price for Windsor Castle.

Palace of Holyroodhouse – 14 June to 6 October 2019

Tickets will be available to book from 1 November 2018.

For more information and to buy tickets, please click here. Also, still available to purchase is our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 and Part 2, now available as a 2 magazine pack.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT ROYAL MAIL’S INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS CENTRE TO SEE THE UNITED FOR WILDLIFE DECLARATION IN ACTION

Heathrow, London

Thursday 6th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Royal Mail’s Worldwide International Logistics Centre at Heathrow to see how United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce members are working together to disrupt attempts to traffic illegal wildlife products. The Duke will be joined by Lord Hague of Richmond, who leads The United for Wildlife International Taskforce on the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products.

Royal Mail is a signatory of United for Wildlife’s Buckingham Palace Declaration, which brought together the global transport industry leaders in March 2016 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 United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce has over 100 members and provides the transport sector, and those that work with it, support to detect and disrupt trafficking of wildlife products. Through an information sharing system the Taskforce members have received 38 alerts and have supported 32 law enforcement investigations. The alerts are shared with 80% of the world’s shipping fleet and 62 Airlines.

Through close cooperation between Royal Mail, Border Force and Police this group has developed highly professional and sophisticated working relationships to prevent the mail network being used by wildlife traffickers. Membership of Taskforce has enabled the Royal Mail to understand the specific threat to wildlife, and in particular how the postal service could be illegally exploited to import and export items. It has also allowed Royal Mail to build on an already solid foundation and partnership with Border Force, to share knowledge and insight into how these items are hidden in the mail stream. At a local level Royal Mail has provided resources and where needed equipment to facilitate Border Force’s operation. Also, on a wider level it has helped Border Force understand how the postal logistic chain works, how mail flows across the globe, and the way postal operators work. This insight is also used at global level where Royal Mail uses its reach and influence with other postal operators, NGOs, sector stakeholders and policy makers to help stop items being injected and assist national border agencies to intercept these items.

In 2017 Border Force made 139 seizures of ivory items on export through Royal Mail Postal Services from the UK as part of targeted operations. The ivory was destined for Hong Kong and mainland China and included items such as billiard balls, hair brushes, fans, carved finished items and napkin rings. The goods were identified through the use of x-ray technology by screening export mail flows. In February 2018 a single shift targeting Thailand mail imports resulted in 25 seizures by Border Force’s CITES team based at Heathrow who deployed to the depot as part of a targeted operation. These included endangered orchids, health supplements containing cactus extracts and crocodile leather fashion items.

During their visit to the centre, The Duke and Lord Hague will be briefed on the centre’s operations, and see how mail workers are trained to spot parcels. They will then meet Border Force staff who operate on site, view some of the products that have been seized by Border Force officers, and get a briefing on how they work together. They will also meet with some of the officers from the police specialist wildlife crime unit, to see how criminal investigations can result from their partnership work.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE NORTH

Newcastle and Gateshead

Friday 7th September, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Newcastle and Gateshead on Friday 7th September to attend the Great Exhibition of the North. The Great Exhibition of the North is a three-month celebration of the North of England’s pioneering spirit. Showcasing great art and culture, design and innovation from across the North, the Exhibition tells the story of the North of England and how its innovators, businesses, artists and designers have shaped our present and are inspiring our future.

The Duke will first visit Sage Gateshead, an international music centre which is one of three dedicated Exhibition hub venues. His Royal Highness will listen to musical performances and meet with performers. The Duke will also visit the centre’s CoMusica programme, which uses music to engage with young people experiencing challenging circumstances.

His Royal Highness will then visit PROTO: The Emerging Technology Centre, which is dedicated to testing and creating new digital solutions for future business challenges. The Duke will meet with businesses using the centre, and see demonstrations of how new technologies, such as motion capture and augmented reality are being used by different sectors. His Royal Highness will finish his tour by officially opening the building.

Next, The Duke will visit the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art where he will attend a reception to celebrate and acknowledge all those who have been involved in making the Great Exhibition happen. During the reception His Royal Highness will meet some of those involved in the Exhibition including volunteers.

Finally His Royal Highness will visit Ryder Architecture Cooper’s Studios. The Duke will tour the ‘Horse to Hyperloop’ exhibition and hear about the potential of using Hyperloop technology to travel in the future, including proposals to create a Northern Arc transport loop. Hyperloop uses electricity to propel pods through low-pressure tubes at speeds of up to 700mph. His Royal Highness will meet with engineers, before viewing a Hyperloop pod prototype designed by graduates from the University of Edinburgh. The Duke will also learn about Cooper’s Studios’ youth engagement programme.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX WILL ATTEND A COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT IN AID OF MENTAL HEALTH CHARITIES

Central Hall Westminster, London

Thursday 6th September, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend 100 Days to Peace, a gala music evening marking the centenary of the end of the First World War at Central Hall Westminster.

Presented by the Royal Armouries, the one-off concert will be an evening of music and reflection in aid of three charities all working to support military veterans facing mental health challenges; Help for Heroes, Combat Stress and Heads Together – The Royal Foundation’s campaign and mental health initiative.

The first half will include two performances by Lesley Garrett; ‘He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven’ – a poem by WB Yeats published in 1899, and the opening lines from ‘For the Fallen’, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 and adapted by Sir Karl for 100 Days to Peace. The event will also bring together Samuel Bordoli’s The Great Silence, written in memory of choristers killed in the First World War, with the charity Remembered, featuring their 2018 Armistice installation ‘There But Not There’.

For the second half, Sir Karl Jenkins will conduct his internationally acclaimed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, performed by the Royal Choral Society and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Originally commissioned by the Royal Armouries to mark the turn of the millennium to create a legacy of peace and hope for the future, this will be the only performance of The Armed Man in England in 2018 to be conducted by Sir Karl himself. The music will be performed against a backdrop of Hefin Owen’s film of The Armed Man.

During the intermission, Their Royal Highnesses will meet some of the evening’s performers during a reception in the Presidents Room, as well as representatives from the three charities, and the Royal Armouries’ Trustees and Sponsors.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX TO ATTEND WELLCHILD AWARDS CEREMONY

Royal Lancaster Hotel, London

Tuesday 4th September, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the annual WellChild Awards at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on Tuesday 4th September. Their Royal Highnesses will commend the courage of seriously ill children and their families, and thank those who care for and support them. The WellChild Awards celebrate the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who go the extra mile to keep children healthy and happy, including the outstanding health, social care and education professionals.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend a pre-ceremony reception where they will meet the young winners of each award category and their families, and the nominated healthcare professionals. They will then attend the ceremony where The Duke will present the Award for Most Inspirational Child (aged four-six) and deliver a speech.

The Duke of Sussex became Patron of WellChild in 2007. WellChild is the national charity for seriously ill children and their families. Across the UK, growing numbers of children remain in hospital simply because there is no support enabling them to leave. Through a nationwide network of WellChild Children’s Nurses, home makeover projects and family support programmes, WellChild works to give this growing population of children and young people the best chance to thrive – properly supported at home, together with their families.

A message from HRH The Prince of Wales to the President of Greece

My wife and I wanted you to know how deeply saddened we were to learn of the tragic loss of life following the devastating wildfires in Attica.

Above all, our hearts go out to all the families who have been so cruelly bereaved, and our deepest sympathy to those who have been injured or whose property has been destroyed.

Having been with you in Athens only recently, and recalling the joy of our visit and the welcome we received from the Greek people, we can only assure you of our affectionate thoughts and special prayers at such a heartbreaking time.

H σύζυγός μου κι εγώ θα θέλαμε να γνωρίζετε πόσο βαθιά λυπηθήκαμε μαθαίνοντας τα τραγικά νέα για τις απώλειες ανθρώπινης ζωής στις καταστροφικές πυρκαγιές που έπληξαν την Αττική. 

Πάνω απ’όλα, συμμεριζόμαστε ολόψυχα την οδύνη των οικογενειών που θρηνούν θύματα,  και συμπάσχουμε με τους τραυματίες και όλους όσοι είδαν τις περιουσίες τους να καταστρέφονται.

Έχοντας ακόμα νωπές τις μνήμες της τόσο πρόσφατης και τόσο χαρούμενης επίσκεψής μας στην Αθήνα αλλά και της θερμής υποδοχής που μας επιφύλαξε ο Ελληνικός λαός, θα θέλαμε να σας διαβεβαιώσουμε ότι oι Έλληνες είναι στη σκέψη μας και στις προσευχές μας σ’ αυτήν την τόσο δύσκολη ώρα.