The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to visit France and Greece

7th – 11th May 2018

• The tour, undertaken at the request of The British Government, will highlight the UK’s strong bilateral ties with both countries;
• In France, Their Royal Highnesses will emphasise the UK and France’s commitment to counter terrorism and security, education and charitable enterprise as well as the country’s rich history in the areas of food and viticulture;
• In Greece Their Royal Highnesses will celebrate the UK and Greece’s longstanding maritime and military relationship, youth opportunity, charitable and education connections;

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will start the visit in Nice, where they will commemorate the attack which took place on Le Promenade des Anglais in July 2016. The Prince and The Duchess will also attend a reception to celebrate the longstanding links between Nice and the UK, including the fact that Her Majesty Queen Victoria regularly visited the city throughout her lifetime.

In Lyon Their Royal Highnesses will jointly attend a VE Commemoration to mark 73 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe.

His Royal Highness will visit The International Police Organization (INTERPOL) to highlight the UK and France’s role in international police cooperation. Their Royal Highnesses will also attend an event to celebrate the city’s rich culinary history.

Lyon hosts France’s second largest student population, and His Royal Highness will visit the ISARA University specialising in agronomy (the science of using plants for food, fuel and fibre), food and environmental studies.

The Duchess of Cornwall, a longstanding supporter of charities helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, will visit a local charity providing assistance to women.

Their Royal Highnesses will start their first official joint visit to Greece with a wreath-laying ceremony at The Monument to the Unknown Soldier, before receiving an official welcome at The Presidential Mansion and Prime Minister’s Residence.  Later that evening The Prince and The Duchess will attend an Official Dinner hosted by The President of The Hellenic Republic and Mrs Vlasia Pavlopoulou. The Prince of Wales will be received by The Archbishop of Athens the following morning.

During their second day in Greece Their Royal Highnesses will visit the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Phaleron where His Royal Highness will lay a wreath. The Prince will then visit Piraeus for a series of engagements to celebrate the UK and Greece’s longstanding maritime relationship. This will include a visit to HMC Valiant, a border-force ‘cutter’ currently deployed in the Aegean Sea, and working with The Hellenic Coastguard to provide security and search and rescue support.

The Prince will also visit the Averoff, a Greek armoured cruiser which forms part of The Hellenic Navy and which played a key part during the First and Second World Wars. His Royal Highness will also be able to see the HNS Olympias, a full-scale replica of an ancient Greek ‘Trireme’.

The spouse of the Greek Prime Minister has invited Her Royal Highness to join her on a visit to the Benaki Museum, which showcases Greek civilisation and tradition.  The Duchess will then visit the scenic Kaisariani Monastery located on Mount Hymettus overlooking Athens, where school children will be undertaking educational reading activities to mark Athens UNESCO World Book Capital 2018.

The Duchess will then visit a local shelter in Athens which provides assistance for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Their Royal Highnesses will end their visit to Greece on Friday 11th May with a visit to Crete where The Prince and The Duchess will visit the Knossos archaeological site. Their Royal Highnesses will also visit a local charity which helps to find accommodation for migrant families in Crete, helping them to integrate with the local community.

Their Royal Highnesses will end their visit to Greece with a celebration of local produce, culture and heritage.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London on April 3rd, for planned surgery on his hip which took place April 4th.

Following a successful hip replacement operation, His Royal Highness remained in hospital for several days and was discharged on the April13th.

The Duke will continue his recovery at Windsor.

His Royal Highness would like to convey his appreciation for the messages of good wishes he has received.

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THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

Royal Wedding Official Photographer

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have selected Alexi Lubomirski to be the official photographer at their Wedding on Saturday 19th May. Mr. Lubomirski will take the official photographs at Windsor Castle following the Wedding at St George’s Chapel.

Alexi Lubomirski is a well-known portrait photographer, and photographed Prince Harry and Ms. Markle last year at Frogmore House, Windsor, to mark the news of their engagement.

Mr. Lubomirski said: “I could not be more thrilled or honoured to photograph this historic occasion. Having taken Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s engagement photos, it brings me such joy to be able to witness again, the next chapter in this wonderful love story.”

Mr. Lubomirski is a renowned portrait and fashion photographer, regularly working with leading global public figures and international publications. He has also published two photography books, donating all proceeds to the charity Concern Worldwide, which he supports as an Ambassador.

Alexi was born in England, but moved to Botswana with his mother and stepfather at the age of eight. It was his stepfather who gave him his first camera at the age of 11. Alexi’s interest in photography developed whilst traveling in Peru during a year abroad at college, which later shifted from an interest in social commentary to narrative-based fashion photography whilst studying for his degree at the University of Brighton. Mr. Lubomirski now lives in New York with his wife and two sons.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available!

ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, PRINCE HARRY AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE DURING THE COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING WEEK

Monday 16th April, 2018

• Prince Harry will open the Commonwealth Youth Forum at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.
• The Duke of Cambridge will attend a Welcome to the UK reception at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.

Tuesday 17th April, 2018

• The Duke of Cambridge will attend a joint session of the Commonwealth Business and Youth Forums at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.

Wednesday 18th April, 2018

• Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will attend a reception with delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Forum at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.

Thursday 19th April, 2018

• The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend the CHOGM Formal Opening, Buckingham Palace, London.
• Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will attend a CHOGM Women’s Empowerment reception at the Royal Aeronautical Society, London.
• The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend the CHOGM State Dinner, Buckingham Palace, London.

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The Queen’s Birthday Party

Saturday 21st April 2018

As previously announced, BBC One and BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a special concert in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 92nd Birthday on Saturday 21st April 2018, live from the Royal Albert Hall.

The concert, known as The Queen’s Birthday Party, will be attended by Her Majesty and other Members of the Royal Family. The BBC has brought together leading artists from around the Commonwealth, at the end of a week in which the UK has hosted 53 countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Alongside contemporary performances, there will be songs from classic musicals. Performers on the night will include Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Sting and Shaggy, Shawn Mendes, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Anne-Marie, Craig David and Donel Mangena.

The Concert is being organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society of which Her Majesty is Patron. The RCS is the oldest Commonwealth organisation and is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2018.

The major beneficiary of the concert will be The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust. This new youth charity, of which Her Majesty is Patron, provides a platform for young change-makers across the Commonwealth in the areas of education, sport, health and the environment.  The QCT champions, funds and connects young leaders who are working hard to make a difference in the world.  The platform shares their stories, gives them a platform to amplify their ideas and inspire others to join.

Today it is announced that Prince Harry will serve as President of The Trust. The concert will see him speaking in his role as President for the first time.

The Queen’s Birthday Party will be broadcast live in the UK at 8pm on BBC One and BBC Radio 2. Highlights of the concert will be broadcast on BBC World Service English, giving listeners around the world an opportunity to hear the celebrations.

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ENGLAND RUGBY LEGEND MIKE TINDALL MBE LEADS 3500 BIKERS IN CONVOY ON ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BIKE 4 LIFE EVENT IN AID OF THE MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE

Sunday 22nd April

Former England Rugby Captain and 2003 World Cup Winner Mike Tindall MBE will swap his rugby boots for a helmet and two wheels when he officially leads out a convoy of 3500 motorbikes across Shropshire on the annual BIKE 4 LIFE Ride Out.

The ride out which takes place on Sunday 22nd April is the largest motorbike gathering in the country and sees thousands of bikers take to the road in a huge convoy on a 23 mile ride from Shrewsbury to RAF Cosford, home of the BIKE 4 LIFE Festival.

The annual event sees the biking community get together to do their bit in raising valuable funds for the MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE charity, which Mike has been an ambassador for the last five years.

Mike will lead out the 3500 strong crowd with former World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty and Steve Parrish former British Superbike champion and Moto GP presenter.

The event is organised by the Midlands Air Ambulance in conjunction with the Safer Roads Partnership which is part of West Mercia and Warwickshire Police to raise funds for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, while also promoting road safety.

Mike has been a keen biker for a number of years and has been a passionate supporter of the lifesaving work of The Midlands Air Ambulance which has a strong affinity to the biking world. Of the 2000 plus mission the Midlands Air Ambulance attends each year over 1000  of these relate to road traffic collisions. Many of these include incidents involving motorcyclists with serious and life threatening injuries.

Now in its fifth year, BIKE4LIFE is the biking event to kick start the motorcycle season. Last year the Bike4Life Festival and ride out raised over £78,300 for the Midlands Air Ambulance with over 10,000 bikers of attending the family friendly event.

Midlands Air Ambulance Ambassador Mike Tindall MBE who rides a Harley Davidson Soft Tail Break Out said;

“ I am delighted to not only support this year’s BIKE 4LIFE campaign again but to also lead out the 3500 bikers which is a huge honour alongside Foggie (Carl Fogarty) and Parish (Steve Parrish). This is the one time in the year when the biking community gets together to pay its thanks for the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance.”

Tindall added; “ Being on a motorbike you are far more vulnerable than someone in a car who has much greater degree of protection. As a biker you are also constantly exposed to hazards on the roads and much more serious injuries in the event of a collision. Speed and emergency life saving care are critical in these situations to saving bikers lives. As a biker myself I fully support the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance and the BIKE 4 LIFE campaign, it’s important for all of us in the biking community to come together and support such a great cause.”

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THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

Members of the Public Invited to Windsor Castle

Members of the public from around the United Kingdom have this week learned that they will be amongst the 2,640 people in the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th.

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have said they wanted their wedding day to be shaped to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations. As previously announced, the couple asked Lord Lieutenants to invite 1,200 people to join the celebrations, including young people who have shown strong leadership, and those who have served their communities.

This group includes:

Northern Ireland

Philip Gillespie, 30, from Ballymena. Philip, who lost his right leg in an IED incident in Afghanistan, raises funds and awareness for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and has just taken part in Invictus Games UK Team Trials for rowing, swimming and archery.

Catherine Cooke, 53, and Julie-Ann Coll, 35, from Londonderry. Catherine and Julie-Ann are a mother and daughter who have been nominated for their charity work. Catherine is a co-ordinator at the Foyle’s Women’s Information Network and Julie-Ann runs a support group that helps parents cope with child bereavement.

West Midlands

Rashid Bhayat, 38, from Coventry. Rashid is CEO of Positive Youth Foundation, a charity set up in 2011 to support young people in challenging circumstances.

Rosie Ginday, 34, from Birmingham. Rosie is the founder of Miss Macaroon, a social enterprise that provides culinary training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Tessa Hince, 32, and Hayley Ash, 32, from Banbury and Shipston-on-Stour. Tessa and Hayley founded the Shipston Christmas Community Lunch, which caters for people who are lonely or on their own over Christmas.

East Midlands and East England

Jorja Furze, 12, from Ely. Jorja is an amputee from birth and ambassador for the Steel Bones charity. She has also set up an Anxiety Group for Year Sevens to help new students adjust to life at high school.

Reuben Litherland, 14, from Derby. Reuben was born deaf and has started lunchtime lessons to teach sign language at school. He also works to raise the awareness of the Deaf community’s needs to access to public services.

South West

Kai Fletcher, 18, from Bath. Kai received support from the Southside Family Project and now works with the charity to help other children and young people through similar challenges.

Grant White, 52, from Dorset. Grant was a Royal Marine for 22 years and continued to serve after losing his leg. He now volunteers to help other wounded or sick military men and women by running the off-road rally, adventure and training team Race2Recovery.

South East

Laurelle Henry, 14, from Lewisham. Laurelle was the Young Mayor of Lewisham 2017. She aims to develop more activities and safe social spaces for young people.

Pamela Anomneze, 52, from Haringey. Pamela is the Manager of Studio 306 Collective CIC, a social enterprise that helps those recovering from mental health issues through the creative arts.

North East and Yorkshire

David Gregory, 28, from Blyth. David is a primary school teacher who aims to strengthen and celebrate his local community in Blyth through practical projects with his pupils.

Amelia Thompson, 12, from Dronfield Woodhouse. Amelia was caught up in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017.

North West

Saeed Atcha, 21, from Bolton. Saeed founded a youth-led charity called Xplode that teaches young people employable skills and gives them experience in the field of journalism.

Shaneil Hodges, 15, from Manchester. Shaneil was the 2017 winner of Manchester’s ‘Be Proud’ award for bringing communities together. A member of the organisation ‘Reclaim’, Shaneil works to break down barriers and give young working class people a voice.

Scotland

Amy Wright, 26, from Annan. Amy is Chair of Board of Directors for the Usual Place café in Dumfries, which provides employment training and support for young people aged 16-25 with special needs.

Wales

Zoe Arundell, 20, from Penycraig. Zoe has been volunteering with Valley Kids since the age of 13, and attended as a young person herself from age six. She met Prince Harry and Ms. Markle on their recent visit to Cardiff.

They will join 200 guests from organisations which Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have a close association with, 100 pupils from two local schools and 500 members of The Royal Household. They will watch the arrivals of the Bride and Groom and their wedding guests at the Chapel and will see the Carriage Procession as it departs from the Castle.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available!

The Queen’s Reception for New Commonwealth Heads of Government

Thursday 19th April, 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will host a lunchtime reception for New Commonwealth Heads of Government in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 19th April, 2018.

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The Queen’s Dinner at Buckingham Palace

Thursday 19th April 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, will host The Queen’s Dinner at Buckingham Palace on the evening of Thursday 19th April, 2018.

Her Majesty, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will receive Commonwealth Heads of Government and their spouses in the Blue Drawing Room, where the evening will commence with a drinks reception. The dinner will take place in the Picture Gallery where Her Majesty will give a speech.

Members of the Royal Family who will be in attendance include The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke of Kent, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Princess Michael of Kent.

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