A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a State Dinner hosted by His Excellency The President of Fiji

Your Excellency President Konrote and First Lady Madam Sarote, Honourable Prime Minister, representatives from all Opposition Parties, Ladies and Gentlemen, Bula Vinaka.

It is a great pleasure for Meghan and me to be your guests here tonight on our first visit to Fiji. We were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands this afternoon in Albert Park, and all the way from the airport! It really is a privilege to be here.

As you know, Fiji has a long tradition of welcoming Royal visitors over the years and our two countries have enjoyed a close relationship and friendship.

We share Commonwealth values and common goals – a love of rugby and a sense of humour! Our ties run deep. Your soldiers fought with the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars and continue to serve alongside our soldiers to this day, with more than 1,250 Fijians currently serving.

I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan. We trained together, we fought together, and most importantly we laughed together.

This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple – my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years.

But this visit is also an opportunity to learn more about the future of Fiji, your economic growth, sustainable tourism development and social enterprises.  We are really looking forward to meeting the students at
the University of the South Pacific and the young leaders from all walks of life. The health and sustainability of this planet depends on the younger generation, and they are full of optimism so let’s listen to them.

I’m very glad that the British Government is increasing its support for Fiji and the region, and we are proud of the long-standing collaboration between the UK and Fiji on climate change; and in fact, the UK just hosted its own Talanoa on climate change across Great Britain earlier this month.

We look to Fiji to provide leadership on environmental issues which affect all of us, and that have been affecting you as an island nation for many, many years.

Fiji is a proud and vibrant culture whose people are so gentle but proud, honourable and resourceful.
Your country has demonstrated its fortitude and resilience by rebuilding your communities following the devastating Cyclone Winston two years ago. You continue to smile, you continue to have hope, and you continue to share what you have with others.

All over the world Fiji is renowned for its incredible natural beauty and hospitality. We, as a couple, feel very lucky to be spending part of our tour as your guests.

Your Excellency, through you, I would also like to wish the people of Fiji the very best for a successful election in November.

Vinaka Vakalevu.

An update on the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank

Her Royal Highness Princess of Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank are pleased to confirm some further details about their upcoming Wedding Day.

Before they met… a young Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. pic.twitter.com/a56T7GMX2m

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 9, 2018

Bridal Party

Her Royal Highness Princess of Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank have chosen the following friends and family to be in their Bridal Party for their Wedding on Friday 12th October:

Best Man
Jack Brooksbank has asked his brother, Thomas Brooksbank, to be his Best Man at his Wedding to Princess Eugenie.

Maid of Honour
Princess Eugenie has asked her sister, Princess Beatrice, to be her Maid of Honour.

Bridesmaids
Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (aged 3)
Miss Savannah Philips (aged 7 – daughter of Mrs Autumn Phillips and Mr Peter Phillips)
Miss Isla Philips (aged 6 – daughter of Mrs Autumn Phillips and Mr Peter Phillips)
Miss Mia Tindall (aged 4 – daughter of Mrs Zara Tindall and Mr Mike Tindall)
Miss Maud Windsor (aged 5 – goddaughter of Princess Eugenie, daughter of Lady Frederick Windsor and Lord Frederick Windsor)
Miss Theodora Williams (aged 6 – daughter of Ms Ayda Field and Mr Robbie Williams)

Page Boys
His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge (aged 5)
Mr Louis de Givenchy (aged 6 – son of Mrs Zoe De Givenchy and Mr Olivier De Givenchy)

Special Attendants
The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (aged 14)
Viscount Severn (aged 10)

Wedding Service

The Archbishop of York, The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. John Sentamu, has written a personal prayer for the Wedding Service of Princess Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank, which will be included in the Order of Service.

The Dean of Windsor will give the Address and officiate as Princess Eugenie of York and Mr. Jack Brooksbank make their marriage vows. The Archbishop of York @JohnSentamu has also written a personal prayer. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/7jkUH6rBCw

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 6, 2018

The Dean of Windsor, The Rt. Revd. David Conner will give the Address at their Wedding. The Dean will also officiate as the couple make their marriage vows.

James Vivian, Director of Music St George’s Chapel, has written descants for two hymns that will be sung during the Service.

Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) will perform during the ceremony. The couple have very much enjoyed working together with the RPO’s Managing Director, James Williams, to choose the accompaniment to the Service. The Duke of York is Patron of the RPO.

James Williams said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank to plan the music for their special day and we wish the couple much happiness for their future together.”

The internationally renowned singer-songwriter Andrea Bocelli will perform two pieces during the Service.

The Wedding Service will include performances by classical singer @AndreaBocelli and @rpoonline. The Duke of York is Patron of @rpoonline #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/LJ7gFlJcX4

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 6, 2018

Military involvement

State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Cavalry will perform a fanfare during the Service, written especially for the occasion by the Commanding Officer of the Bands of the Household Division, Lieutenant Colonel Darren Wolfendale.

Members of Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, of which The Duke of York is Colonel, will line the West Steps of St George’s Chapel as the couple depart after the Wedding ceremony. Pipers from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland will perform Scottish pieces from the Garter Tower as the Bride and Groom depart in the Carriage Procession.

Members of Nijmegen Company @GrenadierGds will line the West Steps of St. George’s Chapel as the couple depart following the Wedding Service. The Duke of York is Colonel of @GrenadierGds pic.twitter.com/4q1ZCIcIWV

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 6, 2018

The Household Division’s involvement in the Wedding also reflects Mr Brooksbank’s family history, as his great Grandfather, Sir Jack Coke, was an officer in the Scots Guards.

Royal Wedding Cake

Princess Eugenie of York and Mr Brooksbank have asked London based cake designer Sophie Cabot to make their wedding cake.

The red velvet and chocolate cake will be a traditional cake, with a modern feel. It will incorporate the rich colours of autumn in its design and will be covered with detailed sugar work including ivy.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s Wedding Cake, a red velvet and chocolate cake designed by London-based baker Sophie Cabot, has been inspired by the rich colours of autumn. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/GSkKrydlPN

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 12, 2018

Sophie Cabot started her bespoke cake design business in 2014 having grown up with a love of baking and learning her skills from her grandmother and mother.

Sophie came to the attention of the couple through her involvement with The Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace programme, where she supplied specially decorated bespoke biscuits.

The couple are delighted that Miss Cabot can be involved in the celebrations for their special day.

Originally a costume designer, Sophie’s artistic skills and flair come through in her creations, with a particular love for making sugar-flowers and using her hand-painting skills to create unique cakes.

Sophie Cabot said: “I am incredibly excited to be given this wonderful opportunity to create such a special and unique cake. It has been lovely working with Princess Eugenie and Jack and I really hope they enjoy the cake on the day.”

Royal Wedding Flowers

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank have chosen floral designer Rob Van Helden to create the church flowers for their Wedding. The floral displays in St George’s Chapel have been created using foliage and flowering branches, sourced locally from Windsor Great Park, combined with roses, spray roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and berries. The designs will reflect the rich and vibrant tones of autumn and will also include Liquid Amber trees.

The floral displays in St George’s Chapel are created using foliage and flowering branches from Windsor Great Park, combined with roses, spray roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and berries. The designs reflect the rich and vibrant tones of autumn and includes Liquid Amber trees. pic.twitter.com/niegfgTt1E

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 12, 2018

Mr Van Helden said: “It has been the greatest privilege and honour to create the flowers for Princess Eugenie and Jack, on their Wedding day. Her Royal Highness has been very involved from the start and has been instrumental in the autumnal theme.

The whole floral design team and I wish Princess Eugenie and Jack our heartfelt congratulations and we hope they have a magical Wedding day.”

Rob Van Helden was born and brought up in Holland, growing up surrounded by flowers. He moved to London 31 years ago, where he started his floristry business from the back of his car. Now supported by a team, including his sister Patrice Van Helden Oakes, he creates floral designs across the UK and abroad.

Royal Wedding Official Photographer

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York and Mr Jack Brooksbank are delighted to confirm that Alex Bramall will be the official photographer at their Wedding. Mr Bramall will take the official photographs at Windsor Castle following the Wedding Service. He previously photographed Princess Eugenie for Harper’s Bazaar US in 2016.

Mr Bramall said:
“It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to photograph Princess Eugenie and Jack on this most special of days. I look forward with great excitement to capturing this significant occasion and wish them both a happy future together.”

Alex Bramall is a British fashion and portrait photographer, currently based in London. Upon the completion of his studies in photography, he began his career in the art department at British Vogue. In 2014 he set up his own studio. Since that time his work has been published internationally in titles such as Vogue, Vogue Russia, Vanity Fair, Vanity Fair Spain and Mexico, Harper’s Bazaar US, Harper’s Bazaar UK and Porter Magazine.

Bridal Car

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York will travel to St George’s Chapel in a 1977 Rolls Royce Phantom VI, accompanied by her father, His Royal Highness The Duke of York.

The Rolls Royce was presented to Her Majesty The Queen in 1978 for her Silver Jubilee by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Miss Catherine Middleton travelled to Westminster Abbey in this car ahead of her Wedding to Prince William in April 2011.

Carriage and Horses

After the ceremony, the newly married couple will undertake a short Carriage Procession in the Scottish State Coach.

Originally known as the Cambridge Coach, the Scottish State Coach was remodelled in 1968–9 on Her Majesty’s instruction to create a coach specifically for Scotland. The emblems of the Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland, and the Scottish version of the Royal Arms were painted on the sides.

The carriage will be pulled by four Windsor Grey horses: Plymouth, Milford Haven, Tyrone and Storm. There will be two outriders: Claudia and Sir Basil.

The carriage will be pulled by four Windsor Grey horses: Plymouth, Milford Haven, Tyrone and Storm. There will be two outriders: Claudia and Sir Basil. #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/Ei4q2X5Jaw

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 12, 2018

Windsor Grey horses play an important role in the ceremonial life of the Royal Family and the nation, and have been drawing the carriages of successive Monarchs and Members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria’s reign.

The carriage and horses are housed at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace.

Live Broadcast on ITV

Princess Eugenie’s wedding ceremony will be broadcast live on ITV, from St George’s Chapel, Windsor on Friday October 12.

The royal celebrations will be the focus of an extended This Morning special called This Morning At The Royal Wedding.

Broadcasters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who usually present This Morning on Fridays, will host the show, which will start earlier at 9.25am and run until 12.30pm, live from Windsor.

You can also watch the Royal Wedding LIVE from St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on The Duke of York’s official YouTube channel from 10am BST.

The wedding will also be live streamed on The Duke of York’s Facebook page and Twitter feed, as well as on the Royal Life Facebook and Twitter pages.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Balmoral in 2016. pic.twitter.com/BV8NGo2rnE

— The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) October 9, 2018

The next issue of Royal Life magazine (Issue 39/56) will include all the gorgeous images from the Royal Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank. Make sure you subscribe today!

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference, Battersea Evolution, London

Thank you, Rageh and thank you, Aidan.

Your Excellencies, Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen – welcome to London.

It is heartening to see so many of you here today, united by a common desire to end the illegal wildlife trade.

I have just returned from a visit to Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya. I saw some tremendous work being done to intercept the trade and keep animals as safe as possible in their natural habitat. I also learnt about the absolute importance of community-led conservation so that people value wildlife as an economic resource.

Some of the rhinos I saw are under such threat that they have more bodyguards than I do!

Wouldn’t it be better though if the demand for rhino horn dropped to the extent that they didn’t need anyone to protect them at all?

The work of conservation and environmental protection is not about quick wins. And it is work that will never be complete.

The atmosphere will never be protected forever. Our water will never be permanently safe from pollution. And our iconic and endangered species can never be declared completely safe.

That’s what we are here to talk about today.

This is the stuff of decades of hard work. It requires small incremental steps, the occasional big leap forward, and resilience in the face of setbacks.

We must celebrate our successes and take confidence from our ability to tackle these complex challenges.

Since we first gathered here in London four years ago we have achieved a great deal.

• Governments around the world, particularly China, the US and UK, have taken unprecedented steps to legislate against the ivory trade.
• The price of ivory has fallen by a staggering 75%.
• 19 African Range States now stand united through the Elephant Protection Initiative to protect their elephant populations and put ivory beyond economic use.
• Over 100 representatives of the transport sector have signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, committing to disrupt the flow of illegal wildlife products passing through their trucks, their ships and their planes.
• More illegally trafficked wildlife products are being seized in Asia;
• Communities are being given greater control and benefits from their wildlife, improving their incentives to keep endangered species safe;
• And committed, brave people all around the world continue to put their lives on the line to protect wildlife and bring criminals to justice.

So thank you to everyone in this room.

Whether you are a ranger risking your life on a daily basis to protect elephants in a National Park;

A campaigner trying to correct falsehoods about the healing power and value of rhino horn;

A business leader ensuring that your company plays its part in frustrating the trade;

Or a law enforcement official working to bring trafficking gangs to justice.

You are the experts, and you know what works. You rarely get the recognition that you deserve.

We must listen to you and we must amplify your voices.

But despite the progress we have made over recent years, we know that this is no time for complacency:

• Over a thousand rangers have been killed in the line of duty in the last decade;
• Poaching levels may well be decreasing in some areas, but overall they remain too high;
• As the ivory market is closing down in some countries, it is being displaced elsewhere;
• Pangolin scales, rhino horns and body parts of big cats are still easy to find in street stalls all around the world;
• We are not yet seeing enough criminal convictions for wildlife offences, and all too often punishments are too lenient;
• And all this means that thousands of local communities are being deprived of their most valuable natural resources and a route out of poverty;

It is heart-breaking to think that by the time my children George, Charlotte and Louis are in their twenties, elephants, rhinos and tigers might well be extinct in the wild.

I for one am not willing to look my children in the eye and say that we were the generation that let this happen on our watch.

It is time to treat the illegal wildlife trade as the serious organised crime that it is.

It is carried out by ruthless cross-border criminal networks.

It is fuelled by corruption.

It damages economic growth and sustainable development.

It undermines governance and the rule of law.

It robs communities today of their future sources of income.

And it exploits the poorest people in some of the most vulnerable countries on earth.

Organised criminal networks are adding to their profits through involvement in wildlife crime.

They see it as a lucrative and relatively low-risk activity. They are the very same groups who move drugs, people and weapons.

These networks are sophisticated, coordinated, adaptable and professional.

They innovate faster than we can and they exploit weaknesses in our systems.

Let me be clear;

I am not asking anyone in this room to prioritise efforts to fight the illegal wildlife trade above drug trafficking or money laundering.

I know very well that law enforcement resources and judicial systems are stretched.

But I am asking you to see the connections. To acknowledge that the steps you take to tackle illegal wildlife crime could make it easier to halt the shipments of guns and drugs passing through your borders.

And to recognise that this is a transnational crime that you cannot leave to your passionate, but thinly stretched, wildlife crime officers to tackle alone.

You might find it easier to arrest a king-pin or a middle man for trafficking illegal wildlife products than to catch him red-handed smuggling heroin.

Remember – Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion, not murder.

In discussions today and tomorrow, we must remember how crucial it is to work together across Government agencies, with the private sector and civil society, and across borders and continents. Too often good work is done in a silo, rather than in a partnership.

Only a fully integrated approach, where we work together, will work at all.

I’m delighted that our efforts to work with the transport sector have borne fruit.

And I was very pleased to convene 21 financial institutions as they signed the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce Declaration at Mansion House yesterday afternoon.

Most of the world’s major banks have now committed to improve how they identify, track and report suspicious financial activity related to the illegal wildlife trade. These financial institutions must now take action to treat this as a serious financial crime, and to follow the money.

It is encouraging that existing anti-money laundering systems are already being used to implement these new commitments. This does not involve re-inventing the wheel. It just means using it better.

For the first time, the existing Joint Money Laundering Taskforce has this week sent out an alert to banks with specific intelligence related to the illegal wildlife trade.

This provides information about suspected criminals; likely transactions that might be suspect; and risk profiles in source, transit and destination countries.

But this evidence will all be for nothing if we do not bring criminals to justice.

Investigators must act when suspicious activity is identified. And lawmakers and judges must ensure that the penalties are higher than the rewards.

So before I close, I want to take a moment to remind you all about why this matters.

Caring about the environment – our air, water, land and animals – is motivated by something that is simple and universal.

A desire to protect this planet for those who will come after us.

I firmly believe that the natural world is our biggest and most important asset, and the key to our future prosperity. We must ensure that humans and wildlife live together in balance, without conflict.

My plea to protect this delicate balance between growing human populations and diminishing endangered wildlife is not purely emotional.

It makes economic sense.

Poaching threatens not just animals, but the livelihoods of generations to come. This is an economic crime against ordinary people and their future.

We must inspire the next generation of young leaders to care about nature, value it as an economic asset and help us live better, together, side by side.

I feel it is my duty, and our collective responsibility, to leave our planet in a stronger position for our children.

Thank you.