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.

A Statement from the Communications Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undertake an official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand between Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 31st October. Their Royal Highnesses have been invited to visit the Commonwealth Realms of Australia and New Zealand by the countries’ respective Governments, and Fiji and Tonga at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This will be The Duke and Duchess’s first joint visit to these four countries.

Across this sixteen-day tour, Their Royal Highnesses’ programme will focus on youth leadership, and projects being undertaken by young people to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region. The Duke is particularly keen to highlight these youth-led initiatives in his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and to shine a light on the work and aspirations of young people across the Commonwealth.

The visit will also concentrate on environmental and conservation efforts, from engaging the local community in forest protection schemes in Colo-i-Suva, to the promotion of sustainable tourism on Fraser Island. The Duke and Duchess will dedicate a number of projects to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy in each country, learning more about local conservation initiatives, whilst visiting some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes.

A major focus for Their Royal Highnesses will also be the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. The Duke and Duchess are excited to see Sydney fully embrace the Invictus spirit, and to support the competitors as they compete across a range of sports at some of the city’s most iconic venues. This year’s Games will emphasise the integral role played by servicemen and women’s family and friends, and Their Royal Highnesses will spend time with a number of the competitors’ supporters as they cheer them on from the side-lines.

There is a long history of friendship between The Royal Family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, and their links with the UK are extensive. The Duke and Duchess are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique cultures and customs of these four Commonwealth countries, and have asked that this tour allows them opportunities to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans and New Zealanders as possible. Together they look forward to building an enduring relationship with the people of the region.

The first day of the tour will begin in Sydney at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia. His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove will welcome Their Royal Highnesses to their home which offers spectacular views across Sydney Harbour. Representatives from each of the eighteen countries who are participating in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 will be present.

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Taronga Zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning. During this visit, which will also be attended by the New South Wales (NSW) Premier, The Duke and Duchess will meet two koalas and their joeys that are part of the Zoo’s breeding programme, and visit the laboratory to meet female conservation scientists who are working on efforts to reduce illegal wildlife trafficking.

To depart the Zoo, The Duke and Duchess will travel by vessel across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera House. Once inside, Their Royal Highnesses will view a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an internationally acclaimed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company. Upon departure, walking along the Opera House forecourt, The Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public.

The first day of the visit will conclude with a Reception hosted by the Governor-General at Admiralty House, to be attended by Australians from a broad range of sectors including charity and community, business and industry, arts and culture, sport and entertainment.

The following morning, Their Royal Highnesses will fly to the town of Dubbo, situated on the Macquarie River, 300 kilometres northwest of Sydney. On arrival in Dubbo, The Duke and Duchess will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn more about the life-saving role the aviation service provides for people living in rural and regional areas.

With most of the state of New South Wales suffering from drought, Their Royal Highnesses will see first-hand the hardships local farmers are facing by visiting a local property. The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region. Members of the public are invited to attend, and His Royal Highness will give an address.

In the afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will visit a local school working to improve the education outcomes of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Students will open up their classrooms to present their work and participate in a session of netball and touch football drills on the school oval, highlighting the importance of sport in education.

On Thursday 18th October, Their Royal Highnesses will fly to Melbourne where the day will begin with a short walk to Government House, meeting members of the public along the way, before attending an official Reception at Government House. A diverse group of young Victorian leaders and community members will attend the Reception, including Queen’s Young Leader Hunter Johnson, founder of The Man Cave mental health initiative. A demonstration of various sporting activities will take place in the grounds, with ambassadors from the This Girl Can campaign.

Following the Reception at Government House, The Duke and Duchess will visit a social enterprise café which offers leadership, mentoring and training programmes for young Aboriginal people.

In the afternoon, Their Royal Highnesses will visit a primary school to meet students who are involved in sustainability programmes. Upon departure from the school, The Duke and Duchess will travel on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach, where they will meet volunteers from a local beach patrol programme. Here Their Royal Highnesses will learn about efforts to keep Port Phillip Bay beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact on the marine environment.

Day four of the visit, Friday 19th October, will take place in Sydney. In the morning, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. The Duke and Duchess will meet a local surfing community group, known as OneWave, raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing in a fun and engaging way. Their Royal Highnesses will take part in the “Fluro Friday” session, where people of all ages share their experiences of mental health issues, and will have the opportunity to interact with others enjoying yoga and surfing. Before departing, The Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public gathered on the beach.

Later that morning, Their Royal Highnesses will take part in a youth advocate programme that aims to unite and inspire young people to be advocates for cohesion and inclusion in their communities. The Duke and Duchess will also engage with students as they discuss issues including social justice and youth empowerment.

Following this event, accompanied by the Prime Minister the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, and Invictus Games competitors, The Duke will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to officially raise the Invictus Flag, marking the arrival of the Invictus Games to Sydney.

Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day with calls on the Leader of the Opposition at Admiralty House, and the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House.

On Saturday 20th October, The Duke and Duchess will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island. In the evening, Their Royal Highnesses will attend a Reception hosted by the NSW Premier, The Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, inside the Opera House, prior to attending the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Opening Ceremony where The Duke of Sussex will give an address.

On day six, Sunday 21st October, Their Royal Highnesses will watch some elements of the Invictus Games cycling and sailing, and attend a lunchtime Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, with Invictus Games competitors and representatives from the community in the city’s central parkland, The Domain.

The following day, Monday 22nd October, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Queensland’s Fraser Island, or K’gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, as part of the dedication of the site to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC).

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, and has a total of 206,970 acres of protected forest. In pristine rainforest, Their Royal Highnesses will be met upon arrival by the Traditional Owners of K’gari, the Butchulla People and the Premier of Queensland. The Duke and Duchess will take part in a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and unveil a plaque for the dedication of the Forests of K’gari to the QCC. Traditional Owners from Bulburin National Park, the second QCC dedication site in Queensland, will also be present. Fraser Island rainforest is home to the Island’s satinay trees which, known for their hardiness in water, were used to build the London docks in the 1930s.

The Duke and Duchess will then visit one of Fraser Island’s iconic lakes to meet with local elders and national park rangers to learn about the Island’s natural beauty, rich history, biodiversity and cultural significance. From here, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to the beach to learn about the history of the Island’s logging trade, as well as its use as a training base for the Australian Z Special Unit during World War II.

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to Kingfisher Bay by boat, where the visit will conclude with a walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty.

The following day, The Duke and Duchess will travel by charter flight to Fiji’s capital of Suva, where they will embark on a three-day programme, experiencing the rich Fijian culture and generous hospitality.

On arrival on Tuesday 23rd October, Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a Guard of Honour at the airport, before calling on His Excellency The President of Fiji at Borron House. The Duke and Duchess will then attend an official welcome ceremony in the city centre’s Albert Park. The ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage, and will mirror in format that of the one attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. It will involve a number of traditional elements of Fijian culture, including dance performances, the presentation of the Tabua, and a Kava ceremony. Members of the public from across Suva will be invited to attend.

From there, The Duke and Duchess will leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel to attend a Reception and a State Dinner hosted by The President of Fiji, at which The Duke will speak.

The following morning, His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial, and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. Links between the British Military and Fiji continue to this day with more than 1250 Fijians currently serving in the British Army. Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva, where they will observe a cultural performance on the effects of climate change, before meeting students studying subjects from agriculture to women’s development. The event will be streamed to a number of the university’s campuses throughout the Pacific region. The Duke will make a short speech in his capacity as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and The Duchess will say a few words.

From here, Their Royal Highnesses’ programme will split – The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner’s Residence. Colo-i-Suva is an indigenous forest site housing many flora and fauna native to Fiji, and species including the Fiji Tree Frog. It is also Fiji’s dedication to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. Before unveiling a plaque to mark its dedication and planting an endangered native tree, His Royal Highness will meet with school children, student conservators, representatives from sustainable tourism industries, and local landowners and villagers to see how the rainforest impacts upon their education and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, The Duchess will attend a morning tea at the British High Commissioner’s Residence to showcase women’s organisations which operate throughout Fiji. In particular, Her Royal Highness will hear more about a UN Women’s project, ‘Markets for Change’, which promotes women’s empowerment in marketplaces throughout the Pacific. The Duchess will then travel to Suva Market to meet some of the female vendors who have become empowered through the project.

On the morning of Thursday 25th October, The Duke and Duchess will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a British-Fijian soldier who lost his life in the 1972 Battle of Mirbat. The event will be attended by the President of Fiji, and senior representatives from the government and the Armed Forces.

From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga, where they will be met at Fua’amotu Airport by Her Royal Highness The Princess Angelika Latufuipeka. That evening, The Duke and Duchess will visit Consular House in central Nuku’alofa for a private audience with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu, to be followed by an official Reception and Dinner, and traditional Tongan entertainment.

The following morning, The Duke and Duchess will visit the St George Building for a call on the Prime Minister S. Akilisi Pohiva and members of the cabinet. From there, Their Royal Highnesses will attend an exhibition with The Princess Angelika at the Fa’onelua Centre, celebrating Tongan handicrafts and products, including traditional mats and ‘tapa’ cloth. Their Royal Highnesses will also have the opportunity to meet local Tongan traders and craftsmen.

The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Tupou College, which is the oldest secondary school in the Pacific, founded by a British missionary in 1866. Their Royal Highnesses will dedicate two forest reserves at the school’s on-site forest, the Toloa Forest Reserve, the last remaining forest area on Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu, and the Eua National Park Forest Reserve, located on the Island of Eua – to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. The Tupou College Choir will perform traditional Tongan music to commemorate the event.

From Tupou College, The Duke and Duchess will travel to The Royal Palace for an official farewell with The King before departing for Sydney.

That evening in Sydney, Their Royal Highnesses will attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards, an annual gathering of Australia’s best in exploration, science and conservation. Their Royal Highnesses will present youth awards to honour the highest achievements in conservation and adventure, and The Duke will give an address.

The last day of the Australian programme falls on the final day of the Invictus Games. Their Royal Highnesses will spend the afternoon at the wheelchair basketball finals at the Quaycentre, before attending the Closing Ceremony that evening at Qudos Bank Arena. The event, at which The Duke will speak, promises to be a celebration of the outstanding achievements and inspiring spirit of the Invictus Games competitors.

The following morning, Sunday 28th October, The Duke and Duchess will depart on a Royal New Zealand AirForce flight for Wellington. Their Royal Highnesses will travel on the same aircraft as a number of the New Zealand Invictus Games competitors, and on arrival, will be met off the plane together by the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

From the airport, Their Royal Highnesses will attend the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House – the residence of the Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy. Their Royal Highnesses will be invited to hongi with the Governor-General’s Kuia and Kaumātua (Māori elders), before the pōwhiri, which includes a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. The ceremony will also include a 21-gun salute, and will be attended by school children.

Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Here, they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and will visit the newly unveiled UK War Memorial – whose design takes the form of two of the United Kingdom and New Zealand’s most iconic trees – the Royal Oak and a Pōhutakawa. This engagement will be followed by a public walkabout in the Memorial Park.

That evening, The Duke and Duchess will receive official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House, before attending a Reception hosted by the Governor-General celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

The next morning, The Duke and Duchess will visit one of Wellington’s most iconic cafes. Their Royal Highnesses will meet young people from a number of mental health projects operating in New Zealand offering support to other young people through helplines, social media, websites and school-based programmes.

From Wellington, The Duke and Duchess will travel to Abel Tasman National Park, which sits at the north-Eastern tip of the South Island, and is an area famed for its golden beaches and native bush walks. Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a traditional welcome ceremony on arrival, before embarking on a trail walk with one of the park’s rangers to learn more about the history of the forest and the environmental challenges of protecting the park’s habitat. Before departing, The Duke and Duchess will join some of the park’s young ambassadors and local school children at a barbeque lunch and for a tree planting.

That evening back in Wellington, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Courtenay Creative for an event celebrating the city’s thriving creative arts scene. Courtney Creative runs programmes to give young people the tools and experience to excel in the film industry, and The Duke and Duchess will meet a number of young creatives demonstrating their skills in props, make-up, and costume.

The following day, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to Auckland, where they will firstly visit the North Shore to dedicate a 20-hectare area of native bush to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. After unveiling the plaque, The Duke and Duchess will hear more about the ecological importance of the native bush, before joining children from the ‘Trees in Survival’ group in a ‘welly-wanging’ contest.

Their Royal Highnesses will then join the Prime Minister to visit Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison through the provision of special mentoring schemes. As a wedding present to The Duke and Duchess, the Government of New Zealand gifted $5000 dollars to Pillars, and Their Royal Highnesses will have the opportunity to meet some of the children who have directly benefitted from this funding.

Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to meet the people of Auckland on the Viaduct Harbour, before attending a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This reception will include cultural performances and entertainment by members of the Pasifika community living in Auckland. The guests will be predominantly young people in the 17 to 25-year age group who are making significant contributions to the wellbeing of their communities, representing the future of New Zealand.

The final day of Their Royal Highnesses’ tour will take place in Rotorua, a town set on Lake Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. The Duke and Duchess will firstly visit Te Papaiouru Marae, for a formal pōwhiri and luncheon in Their Royal Highnesses’ honour.

Next, The Duke and Duchess will head to Rainbow Springs to learn more about the centre’s kiwi breeding programme. Kiwi, which are New Zealand’s national bird, have become increasingly endangered in recent years, and Their Royal Highnesses will meet conservationists working to protect the species. They will also have the opportunity to name two young kiwi chicks at Rainbow Springs.

Later that afternoon, The Duke and Duchess will head into the city for the chance to meet members of the public gathered there. They will then travel to Redwoods Treewalk Rotorua. The treewalk is a 700m-long walkway of suspension bridges between 117-year-old Redwood trees. The forest is also the home to a thriving mountain biking community that draws people of all ages to the Redwoods. The Duke and Duchess will learn more about the forest’s history as they take on the tree walk, and will then meet invited representatives of the local biking community under the forest canopy.

Their Royal Highnesses will return to Auckland that evening, before departing for London the following day.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL DELIVER THE KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE 2018 ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE CONFERENCE

London

Thursday 11th October, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will deliver the keynote speech at the opening session of the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference. The conference is being hosted by the UK Government at Battersea Evolution from 11th – 12th October 2018.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is an urgent global issue which is estimated to be worth up to $23 billion annually, and is the fourth most lucrative transnational crime after drugs, weapons and human trafficking. IWT not only endangers some of the most iconic wildlife species but can also have a devastating impact on countries’ security and prosperity, representing a barrier to sustainable social and economic development.

The 2018 Conference is the fourth international conference on IWT, with previous events being held in London (2014), Kasane (2015) and Hanoi (2016). Heads of State, Ministers and officials from nearly 80 countries, alongside NGOs, academics and businesses, will come together to build on previous efforts, address the underlying issues that facilitate the IWT, and make steps to tackle this criminal trade. The 2018 IWT Conference will focus on three key themes: tackling IWT as a serious organised crime, building coalitions and closing markets.

In the run up to the 2018 IWT Conference, The Duke has carried out a number of engagements which have drawn attention to the issues around IWT and how organisations can work together to fight this global crime. Last week His Royal Highness travelled to Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya as Patron of the Tusk Trust, and President of United for Wildlife. During the trip, he met with the Presidents of Tanzania and Kenya, and the Vice President of Namibia, to discuss priorities for the upcoming conference.

On the ground in Namibia, The Duke visited the Kunene region, where he saw a ground-breaking initiative to provide Namibian communities greater control and benefits from their wildlife – improving their incentives to keep protected species safe. In Tanzania, His Royal Highness visited the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka to see how new technology is better equipping rangers to fight poachers and protect wildlife.

The Duke also saw work being done to stop the illegal exportation of poached animal products such as ivory and rhino in the port of Dar es Salaam. This was a continuation of His Royal Highness’s efforts to convene and encourage the transport sector to crack down on illegal wildlife trafficking routes. In March 2016, The Duke unveiled an ambitious, transport industry-led Declaration on the Illegal Wildlife Trade which was signed by global transport leaders at Buckingham Palace.

During the conference week The Duke of Cambridge will hold meetings with visiting world leaders. His Royal Highness has previously raised the urgent issue of IWT with global leaders including the Presidents of Vietnam, China and the United States. In 2015 The Duke delivered a speech aired on CCTV1 – the station with the largest audience in China – on the critical work needed to combat the trading of illegal wildlife goods.

In addition to delivering the conference’s keynote speech, The Duke will also attend other engagements during the Conference week. On Wednesday 10th October, His Royal Highness, accompanied by The Duke of Sussex, will join an evening reception at St. James’ Palace which is being held to officially open the 2018 IWT Conference and welcome visitors to London.

The Duke of Cambridge will also attend the first Consultative Group Meeting of the Elephant Protection Initiative which is being held at the Conference in the afternoon of Thursday 11th October. The Elephant Protection Initiative was launched at the first IWT Conference in London in October 2014 and is African Governments’ response to the elephant crisis. It now comprises 19 members states, all committed to securing the survival of African elephants and their habitats.

Wednesday 10th October, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex will join a reception at St James’ Palace to officially open the 2018 IWT Conference.

The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex will join a reception to officially open the 2018 IWT Conference. The reception will welcome visiting Heads of State and Ministers, leading conservationists, business people and activists to London and is being hosted by the Secretaries of State for the FCO, Defra and DFID.

Their Royal Highnesses will meet a number of attendees at the reception, including Heads of State and Ministers, rangers and those working on the ground to tackle poaching. The Duke of Cambridge will also make a short speech.

Thursday 11th October, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will deliver the keynote speech at the opening session of the 2018 IWT Conference

On Thursday 11th October, The Duke of Cambridge will deliver the keynote speech at the opening session of the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference which is being held at Battersea Evolution.

The Duke of Cambridge will attend a Consultative Group Meeting of the Elephant Protection Initiative at the 2018 IWT Conference

The Duke of Cambridge will join a Consultative Group Meeting of the Elephant Protection Initiative at the Conference and deliver opening remarks at the session.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL ATTEND THE GLOBAL MINISTERIAL MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT

County Hall, London

Tuesday 9th October, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit on Tuesday 9th October. The summit is being co-hosted by the UK Government and the OECD and will run from the 9th-10th October.

The Mental Health Summit will see political figures, leading academics and policy-makers from around the world come together with one common goal: better mental health for all. The meeting will help countries work together to deal with stigma attached to mental health and address other issues to do with mental ill-health.

Around 1 in 4 people globally will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, with around 450 million people currently living with a diagnosed mental ill-health condition. Mental illness is also the biggest cause of lost economic output, with an estimated cost to the global community of nearly US$2.5 trillion a year.

Their Royal Highnesses will attend a workstream on ‘Children, Young People and the Next Generation’ where they will hear presentations on two case studies of active mental health programmes from Slovenia and the USA. This workstream reflects one of the six key themes being discussed at the summit.

The Duke and Duchess will also visit the exhibition area and meet with representatives from a number of organisations to hear more about their mental health campaigns and programmes. Their Royal Highnesses will also view the work of Dairo Vargas, a contemporary fine artist from Columbia who will be painting an original piece of art at the Summit, inspired by the day’s events.

Finally Their Royal Highnesses will visit a Friendship Bench, part of an innovative programme from Zimbabwe which has taught elderly Zimbabwean women the skills to become city lay health workers.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX TO VISIT SUSSEX

West and East Sussex

Wednesday 3rd October, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make their first joint official visit to Sussex on Wednesday 3rd October.

The Duke and Duchess will visit Edes House, located at the heart of Chichester which is the county town of West Sussex. At Edes House Their Royal Highnesses will be shown the rare Sussex copy of the American Declaration of Independence. The Sussex Declaration is one of only two contemporary handwritten ceremonial manuscript copies, the other being the signed copy housed in the National Archives in Washington D.C. The Duke and Duchess will then travel along the coast to Bognor Regis where they will officially open the University of Chichester’s Engineering and Digital Technology Park. The cutting edge Technology Park has been designed to offer practical experiences in partnership with local industry. Their Royal Highnesses will then take their departure from West Sussex and travel along the coast to the vibrant seaside city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex.

Their Royal Highnesses’ first stop in Brighton will be the iconic Royal Pavilion. Starting its life in the mid 1780s, the Royal Pavilion was built by George, Prince of Wales, who later became the Prince Regent. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will tour several of the Pavilion’s rooms, learning more about the building’s history and the impact that it had on the social development of Brighton in the 18th century. Their Royal Highnesses will then walk to Survivors’ Network, a charity that supports survivors of sexual violence and abuse in Sussex. The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to talk to service users, volunteers and staff. Travelling further East, Their Royal Highnesses’ final engagement of the day will be a visit to JOFF Youth Centre in the coastal town of Peacehaven. The centre is a community hub that offers a range of positive activities, a ‘chill out’ area and music practice room. At the Centre, The Duke and Duchess will meet young people from youth groups across East Sussex to hear their strategic plans and priorities around mental health and emotional wellbeing. Their discussions are part of Takeover Challenge day, which is a national initiative that encourages organisations to put young people into real life decision-making positions.

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT SAYERS CROFT FOREST SCHOOL

Paddington Recreation Ground, London

Tuesday 2nd October, 2018

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Sayers Croft Forest School and Wildlife Garden at Paddington Recreation Ground on Tuesday 2nd October.

Last year, the Sayers Croft Forest School had over 5,500 visits by schoolchildren from across Westminster and neighbouring boroughs, giving inner city children a unique opportunity to learn about and engage with the natural world. Her Royal Highness will see first-hand the positive impact that the Forest School has on children’s emotional and physical wellbeing as she is shown the wildlife garden and meets children involved in exploratory and investigative outdoor activities.

Sayers Croft is a residential activity centre based in Surrey, which is owned by Westminster City Council. It aims to involve children and the local community in the environment, providing outdoor facilities for those who may otherwise be unable to access them. In London they have worked with Westminster City Council and Ruth Willmott Associates to create a Wildlife Garden, with an edible garden area and a Forest Garden. The Duchess will visit both of these areas and join Forest School sessions in each location. Her Royal Highness will also hear from instructors and teachers about the beneficial effect that outdoor learning and being around nature can have on children’s mental health, wellbeing and development.

THE DUKE OF ROTHESAY WILL OPEN THE BALMORAL SUBSEA TEST CENTRE, ABERDEEN

WEDNESDAY, 3RD OCTOBER 2018

The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, will visit Balmoral Offshore Engineering, Balmoral Park, Aberdeen, AB12 3GY.

During the visit, HRH will meet apprentices and staff in the company’s Leadership Programme and view the manufacturing and testing facility before opening the new Balmoral Subsea Test Centre.

Established in 1980 by Chairman and Managing Director, Jim Milne CBE, Balmoral Group Holdings Ltd is a privately-owned company comprised of several different divisions, including:

In 2016, at Group HQ in Aberdeen, development began on the £20million+ Balmoral Subsea Test Centre. The new subsea product design and manufacturing facility includes laboratory, design engineering, production, project management and testing facilities.

The company had to blast through 15 metres of granite substrata in order to accommodate the new underground pressure test vessels. The Centre covers an area of more than six tennis courts and is 18 metres high. The new facility offers a wide range of procedures including hydrostatic, mechanical and laboratory trials providing the industry with a comprehensive resource for all types of subsea equipment testing.

Balmoral products, all of which are designed, manufactured and tested in Aberdeen, can be found in deep-water projects around the world – from the Gulf of Mexico to South America, West Africa and, closer to home, West of Shetland and the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

Each year, the company employs a number of apprentices through their apprentice recruitment scheme. There are currently nine apprentices, at various stages of their careers, with eight recently completing their training.

Balmoral Offshore Engineering‘s Leadership Programme provides existing employees with the opportunity to develop their skill set and increase their knowledge in business critical areas. The Programme comprises four ILM-accredited levels and is based on case study learning with a focus on coaching and mentoring – 10% of the workforce is now signed up.

The company has received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade on three separate occasions, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

THE DUKE OF ROTHESAY WILL VISIT PETERHEAD FISH MARKET

SATURDAY, 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018

Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, will visit Peterhead Fish Market, Peterhead AB42 1DW.

Peterhead is the UK’s largest fisheries port and in June this year a new state-of-the-art fish market opened for business to accommodate the greater quantities of stocks being landed on the quayside.

The new North Bay market building replaces the former market at Merchants Quay, and is part of Peterhead Port Authority’s £51 million project to redevelop the harbour.

The new market has a capacity of 10,000 boxes and the latest refrigeration technology which, combined with good access for boats on the quayside and articulated lorries on the shoreside, ensures that product quality ismaintained as fish pass through. The new building also includes office space and a café.

In the first nine weeks of its operation, more than 250,000 boxes of fish were sold in the new fish market, rising to just short of 340,000 boxes in the first 11 weeks.

On Saturday 29th September, His Royal Highness will visit the new market for a special opening ceremony.

More than 500 invited guests are expected and there will be entertainment from local school pupils, Turriff Pipe Band, Fiona Kennedy and Maggie Adamson.

The Duke of Rothesay will also view exhibition standswith an opportunity to meet contractors who worked on the project, fisheries organisations and heritage groups. Before departing, His Royal Highness will also tour fishing vessels moored at the quay.

Her Majesty The Queen has sent the following message of condolence to the President of the Philippines:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and the devastation caused by Typhoon Mangkhut. Prince Philip and I send our sincere condolences to all the victims, to those who have lost loved ones, and to those who have seen their homes and property destroyed. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by these tragedies. Elizabeth R.”

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya

The Duke of Cambridge will undertake a visit to Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya from Monday 24th – Sunday 30th September. The private working trip is being made in his capacity as President of United for Wildlife and Patron of Tusk Trust ahead of the 2018 conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade being hosted by the UK Government on 11th and 12th October 2018.

While in the region, His Royal Highness will also undertake a small number of official engagements at the request of Her Majesty’s Government.

The Duke of Cambridge to visit Namibia

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, is set to visit Namibia, on Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th September, as part of his trip to Africa ahead of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference that will be held in London on 11th and 12th of October, 2018.

The aim of the conference is to strengthen international partnerships across borders and beyond government and focus on three key themes: tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade as an organised crime; building coalitions and closing markets.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will meet with His Excellency Vice President Nangolo Mbumba.

The Duke will also attend an event to celebrate UK-Namibia relations at the Residence of The British High Commissioner, Kate Airey, where he will meet key figures working in conservation as well as young people, business leaders, and mental health activists.

The Duke of Cambridge to visit Tanzania

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, is set to visit Dar es Salaam on Thursday 27th of September and Moshi on Saturday 29th of September, to raise awareness of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference that will be held in London on 11th and 12th of October, 2018.

The aim of the conference is to strengthen international partnerships across borders and beyond government and focus on three key themes: tackling the Illegal Wildlife Trade as an organised crime; building coalitions; and closing markets.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will meet with the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E President Magufuli to discuss the President’s efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in Tanzania.

The Duke will also visit the Dar es Salaam port where he will learn more about the work Tanzania is doing to combat illegal wildlife trade with support from the UK Government.

In Moshi, His Royal Highness will visit the College of African Wildlife Management.

The Duke of Cambridge to visit Kenya

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, will visit Kenya on Sunday 30th September 2018, as part of a series of public and private engagements in Africa.

During his visit, His Royal Highness will visit 1st Battalion the Irish Guards Battlegroup, who will be training in the country under the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), in his role as Colonel of the Regiment.

The Irish Guards Battlegroup will include an Infantry Company from the Kenya Army. His Royal Highness will see how British and Kenyan troops are training together to improve performance on operations, for the benefit of both countries.