The Queen’s Reception for The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association

Wednesday 16th May

Her Majesty The Queen, Patron, will give a reception for members of The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 16th May 2018.

The reception is a customary occasion which forms part of the VC and GC Association’s biennial reunion in London. This year, 24 members of the Association will be in attendance, together with widows of past members and parents and families of the fallen.

During the reception, The Queen will be presented with the Association’s new book ‘On Courage: Stories of Victoria Cross and George Cross Holders’ which features moving and inspirational stories of VC and GC recipients, introduced by public figures including Eddie Redmayne, Joanna Lumley and Sir Bobby Charlton.

A new member has been welcomed into The VC and GC Association since the last reunion. Dominic Troulan, a retired British Army officer and former Royal Marine was awarded the George Cross in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his actions during the 2013 Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mr Troulan was working as a security consultant in the Kenyan capital when the attack happened. He was commended for his actions which took place over the course of several hours – going in and out of the building at least a dozen times to bring many people to safety. He was the first civilian recipient of the award for over 40 years.

Her Majesty has been Patron of The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association since 1957. The Prince of Wales is President of the Association.

The Victoria Cross was instituted by Queen Victoria on 29th January 1856 and made retrospective to 1854 to include actions in the Crimean War. The Victoria Cross is awarded “for most conspicuous bravery or some daring pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy”. The award is bestowed irrespective of rank to those serving in British and Commonwealth Forces who have shown most conspicuous bravery.

The George Cross was instituted by His Majesty King George VI on 24th September 1940, during the height of the Blitz. The George Cross, which may be awarded posthumously, is granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger”. The medal is primarily a civilian award; however the George Cross may be awarded to military personnel for gallant conduct which is not in the face of the enemy.

The Queen will visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Monday 21st May 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by other Members of the Royal Family, will attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

On arrival The Queen will be greeted by the President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Sir Nicholas Bacon. Her Majesty will tour the gardens and see displays, including:

• The RHS Feel Good Garden, celebrating 70 years of the National Health Service and highlighting the positive impact of horticulture on mental health;
• The Welcome to Yorkshire Garden, inspired by the famous Yorkshire Dales;
• The Wuhan Water Garden, China, which showcases the natural landscape of Hubei Province;
• The Morgan Stanley garden for the NSPCC.

The Royal party will attend a private reception before departing.

Established in 1913, on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has become one of the world’s greatest showcases for horticultural excellence, attracting visitors and exhibitors from across the globe.

Since its beginning, the show has gone from strength to strength. It has grown from 244 exhibitors in 1913 to over 500 today, including gardens, nurseries, floristry, educational displays and trade stands. Today the show attracts 168,000 visitors.

The Show is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, of which The Queen is Patron. The Society was founded in 1804.

To learn more about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, why not read issue 11 of Royal Life magazine, it’s blooming lovely!

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

AN UPDATE

On the night before their Wedding, Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will stay at separate hotels in the Windsor area.

Prince Harry will stay at the Dorchester Collection’s Coworth Park. His Royal Highness will be joined by Best Man The Duke of Cambridge.

Ms. Markle, accompanied by her mother, Ms. Doria Ragland, will stay at Cliveden House Hotel, on the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate.

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

Instrument of Consent

Buckingham Palace has today shared an image of the Instrument of Consent, the hand-written document which records Her Majesty The Queen’s consent to the Marriage of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle.

The Instrument of Consent is drafted by the Crown Office and is, in the case of Prince Harry’s marriage, hand-written and illuminated on vellum by one of a panel of scrivener artists retained by the Crown Office. Vellum is used only for important State documents.

The design to the left of the text incorporates a red dragon, the heraldic symbol of Wales, together with the UK’s floral emblems – the rose, thistle and shamrock. It also features Prince Harry’s Label, including three tiny red escallops from the Spencer family Arms.

The design to the right of the text also includes the rose, as this is also the national flower of the United States. To either side of the rose are two golden poppies – this being the state flower of California, where Ms. Markle was born. Between the flowers is the Welsh leek, together with Prince Harry’s Label. Beneath the Label are olive branches, adopted from the Great Seal of the United States.

To the left, underneath the two main designs, is the coronet for Prince Harry. On the lower right side of the document is the Commonwealth symbol.

The Instrument of Consent is sealed with the Great Seal of the Realm, which is attached to the foot of the document by woven cords sealed within the Great Seal itself. The Queen’s signature, “Elizabeth R,” can be seen at the top right of the document, which will be presented to Prince Harry and Ms. Markle after the wedding.

It reads: “NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, K.C.V.O., and Rachel Meghan Markle.”

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

AN UPDATE

Wedding Service at St George’s Chapel

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have asked that The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, give the address at their wedding.

Presiding Bishop Curry, from Chicago Illinois, will travel to Windsor to take part in the Service. He will join The Dean of Windsor, The Rt. Revd. David Conner, who will conduct the Service. The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, will officiate as the couple make their marriage vows.

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry said: “The love that has brought and will bind Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle together has its source and origin in God, and is the key to life and happiness. And so we celebrate and pray for them today.”

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry was installed as the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on November 1st, 2015. He was elected and confirmed at the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 27th, 2015. He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and chair of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.

The United States-based Episcopal Church was born from the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and is a constituent member of the global Anglican Communion, of which the Church of England is the Mother Church.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL JOIN CREW AT DIY SOS GRENFELL SPECIAL

Ladbroke Grove, London

Tuesday 15th May, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will join the crew of DIY SOS on a major project to support people affected by the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower.

The BBC One show, hosted by Nick Knowles, takes on major building projects for people and communities that need help, and is currently building a new community centre and replacing a boxing club that was destroyed by the fire. The final shows are to be broadcast in two parts later in the year.

On Tuesday 15th May, The Duke of Cambridge will visit the new site in Ladbroke Grove, and join people who have volunteered their time and expertise to complete the ambitious project. He will meet with Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS crew, join one of the volunteer teams and meet local residents affected by the fire.

The first floor of Grenfell Tower was home to the Dale Youth Boxing Club. It was known as one of the best boxing clubs in the country, credited with turning around the lives of many young people. Since the fire, the club has been based in a temporary home in a car park.

Working with the community and volunteers, DIY SOS is building the space for the club and a new multi-use community space, which will be available to the community to use for a range of activities. Westway Trust will ensure the spaces are accessible and affordable for the whole community.

The main structural work of the build is scheduled to be completed shortly, with The Duke attending on the first day of the fit out.

The Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club was founded 60 years ago and was based in Grenfell Tower since 1999. Over the years, it successfully nurtured 200 Amateur Boxing Association champions.

The Duke of Cambridge visited families and first responders with Her Majesty The Queen immediately following the fire, and The Royal Foundation helped facilitate a space for mental health support.

This is the second time The Duke of Cambridge has appeared on DIY SOS, having previously worked with Prince Harry to help the crew convert homes in Manchester for veterans.

The Markle Sparkle arrives at Madame Tussauds London

World’s first figure of Royal bride-to-be is launched in time for wedding of the year

As the world holds its breath ahead of the royal wedding, Madame Tussauds London today unveiled its most eagerly-awaited figure: Meghan Markle. Standing alongside a re-styled figure of her groom, Prince Harry, fans will have the chance to party with the Royal Family’s coolest couple at an exclusive hen and stag themed event on the eve of the regal nuptials (Friday 18th May) before the figures officially arrive on the royal wedding day, Saturday 19th May.

‘Her Royal Likeness’ and princely husband-to-be will feature in the attraction in front of a 15 foot wide video wall that will allow guests to choose how they would like to hang out with the muchloved couple. Guests can select from a range of backdrops and props to capture a moment with the young Royals – from the cutting of the cake at their wedding to relaxing on a private beach.

Dressed in their famous engagement announcement outfits, Meghan’s figure sports the sold-out green P.A.R.O.S.H. dress and a replica of the engagement ring designed by Harry himself, with some added Madame Tussauds London magic to make it sparkle elegantly on the future Duchess’ perfectly manicured hand. Harry’s figure – originally created to mark his 30th birthday in 2014 – has been updated for the special occasion, most notably adding the Royal’s dashing beard.

The first chance to catch a glimpse of ‘Their Royal Likenesses’ will be on Meghan and Harry’s last night of freedom. Tickets are on sale for an exclusive over-18s hen and stag do from 7.30pm on Friday 18th May at the iconic location, complete with a bar and live DJ – the perfect way to party with the golden couple ahead of their big day.

Bringing the street party to Baker Street on the day of the royal wedding (Saturday 19th May), Madame Tussauds London and its famous figures will be patriotically dressed to the nines, streaming live coverage of the big event to guests as the royal bride and groom’s figures make their official arrival. The attraction will also be offering free entry to guests named Meghan or Harry for one day only.

Edward Fuller, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: “Excitement ahead of the royal wedding is reaching fever pitch and we have been inundated with questions about when people can finally meet ‘Their Royal Likenesses’. There is a lot of love out there for Meghan and Harry and we’re following their lead by inviting the great British public to join the couple in their wedding celebrations here at Madame Tussauds London.”

With royal wedding fever extending across the Atlantic, Madame Tussauds London’s sister attraction in New York will also reveal its own unique Meghan figure later today. Marking the first time a U.S. citizen will join the British Royal Family in 80 years, the Times Square location’s ‘American Princess’ will strike a different pose and feature a striking outfit worn by Meghan and designed by British label Self-Portrait.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s arrival marks the latest news in a right royal summer of celebrations at Madame Tussauds London, hot on the heels of recent regal launches: the magnificent Royal Balcony experience and the immersive dining delight, Royal Tea, where guests can enjoy high tea with The Queen at a Buckingham Palace garden party, from £15 per head.

We are now just over two weeks away from the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle. As they have travelled around the UK in the months since their engagement last November, Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have been incredibly grateful for the support they have received from members of the public.

The crowds that have turned out in Nottingham, Cardiff, Brixton, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, Bath and elsewhere have given Ms. Markle a welcome to the United Kingdom marked by warmth, enthusiasm, and a real sense of fun.

We said from the outset that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle were keen to make sure that members of the public would have the opportunity to feel part of the celebrations on their wedding day. This is their way of expressing their gratitude for the messages of support they have received from around the UK, the Commonwealth, Ms. Markle’s home country of the United States, and right around the world. In today’s briefing I want to share more details of what people can expect to see in the day’s leading up to the wedding, and on the day itself, and explain what the public can expect in Windsor.

The first thing I would like to share is that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to welcoming Ms. Markle’s parents to Windsor for the wedding. Mr. Thomas Markle and Ms. Doria Ragland will be arriving in the UK in the week of the wedding, allowing time for Prince Harry’s family, including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to spend time with them before the big day.

Both of the bride’s parents will have important roles in the wedding. On the morning of the wedding, Ms. Ragland will travel with Ms. Markle by car to Windsor Castle. Mr. Markle will walk his daughter down the aisle of St George’s Chapel. Ms. Markle is delighted to have her parents by her side on this important and happy occasion.

In addition to having the support of The Queen, his father The Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince William as Best Man, Prince Harry is also keen to involve his mother’s family in his wedding. All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales will be in attendance and Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle both feel honoured that Lady Jane will be representing her family and helping to celebrate the memory of the late Princess on the wedding day.

As we said back in November, this wedding will be guided by tradition, allowing everyone to celebrate what makes Royal Weddings so special, but also one which reflects the personalities of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle. We have been announcing details over the last couple of months and in the final week ahead of the wedding you can expect to hear more about the arrangements, including:

• The Instrument of Consent;
• Details of the Bridesmaids and Page Boys;
• The work of florist Philippa Craddock and the Crown Estate gardeners who have been growing and preparing the flowers that will fill the church;
• An update from Claire Ptak, the baker who will make the wedding cake, and the chefs who have been working in the Palace kitchens to make the final preparations and;
• We will publish the full Order of Service on the website on Saturday morning so members of the public can follow the service at home.

I will now take you through the high level outline of what you can expect to see from the evening of Friday 18th May. The key moment for the day before will be the arrival of the bride at her accommodation. We expect this to happen early evening.

On the day itself we expect Windsor to be very busy. The council has worked with partners including Thames Valley Police to plan what will be a fantastic day of celebrations.

As the Royal Borough of Windsor has said, work is well underway to ensure the occasion is a memorable and joyous one for all involved and they are working closely with a wide range of partners.

Rail operators will be putting on extra trains and there will be park and walk and park and float services to help people get into town. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and book all travel arrangements early so they can make the most of their trip. I would very much appreciate the media’s assistance in spreading the message that visitors to Windsor will have a chance to be part of a very special day, but those who will be heading to the town really do need to plan their journeys carefully.

The Royal Borough has confirmed that preparations include:

• A 6,000 space pre-booked car parking area at the Review Ground, just off the Long Walk;
• Food stalls and facilities, including big screens showing live footage of the wedding and Procession, on the Long Walk and in Alexandra Gardens;
• Viewing areas along the whole Procession Route (Castle Hill, High Street, Sheet Street, Kings Road, Albert Road and the Long Walk);
• A team of 140 Royal Borough Ambassadors have volunteered to help steward the event and assist visitors throughout the day;
• The town centre will be decorated with bunting and ceremonial banners along parts of the Procession Route and;
• Live entertainment from local groups throughout the town centre.

In order to make sure everyone can get through expected traffic, the members of the public who have been invited to be inside the grounds of Windsor Castle for the wedding will be arriving from around 0900hrs. As a reminder, 1,200 people have been nominated by Lord Lieutenants from across the country for their work supporting their communities. Many of these people are sharing their stories with their local media and supporters – the couple are very pleased that their wedding has provided a platform to celebrate the inspiring work of community and youth leaders from around the UK.

The first thing these people gathered will see on the morning of the wedding will be the arrival of guests between 0930hrs and 1100hrs. Guests will be arriving at the Round Tower by coach and will be seen walking to the South Door of St George’s Chapel.

Members of The Royal Family will begin to arrive from 1120hrs, and enter St George’s Chapel via the Galilee Porch. Some will be on foot, and others will arrive by car.

Prince Harry and his brother The Duke of Cambridge will arrive at St George’s Chapel most likely by foot and will enter via the West Steps. This will allow Their Royal Highnesses to acknowledge all of the people gathered in the Castle precincts, including the 200 charity representatives gathered in the Horseshoe Cloister at the bottom of the steps.

Also around the time Royal Family arrivals begin, a pooled media facility will cover Ms. Markle and Ms. Ragland’s departure from the bride’s overnight location. We expect the journey into the Castle to take them along part of the Long Walk, allowing members of the public gathered there to see the car as it passes. There will also be a brief stop at the Castle where Ms. Ragland will head onto the Chapel and Ms. Markle will be joined by some of the Bridesmaids and Page Boys before she continues her journey to the church, where she will enter via the West Steps.

The Service will take around an hour, and we look forward to announcing more details of this in the weeks ahead.

After the Service has concluded, the newly married couple will process out of the church and acknowledge the 200 representatives of Prince Harry’s charities gathered in the Cloister. The couple are delighted that these people who will be such an important part of their official work in the years to come will be the first people they see after their wedding.

As the couple step into their Carriage, close family members will gather on the West Steps to wave them off on their Procession. As a reminder, we expect the Carriage Procession to take just under 25 minutes. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to this part of the day. It will be their chance to express their gratitude for the goodwill and warm wishes they have received from all quarters in the months since their engagement.

Members of the congregation will file out of the church onto the grass to see the start of the Procession before walking to the reception at St George’s Hall. All guests will be attending the reception.

The public elements of the event will be over at this stage. The final thing you can expect to see is the Bride and Groom departing Windsor Castle for the evening reception at Frogmore House.

In the days that follow, we will facilitate interviews with some of those who have been involved in the wedding, as happened in 2011, for example with the hairdresser and dressmaker.

The formal photographs, which will be taken by Alexi Lubomirski, will be released during the week.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order the Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.

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

AN UPDATE

The Wedding Carriage

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have selected the Ascot Landau carriage for their procession through Windsor Town after their wedding on Saturday 19th May. There will be one horse-drawn carriage in the Carriage Procession from St George’s Chapel, which will take the newly married couple through Windsor Town returning to Windsor Castle along the Long Walk. The carriage will be escorted by a travelling Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to this short journey which they hope will allow them to express their gratitude for everyone who has gathered together in Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day.

The carriage is one of five Ascot Landaus in the Royal Mews. Ascot Landaus are used for The Queen’s procession up the course at the Royal Ascot Race and also for other visits of an official nature. They have been used for The Queen’s coronation visit to Edinburgh, the Investiture of The Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, The Queen’s Silver Jubilee visits to Glasgow and Cardiff, and on State Visits. Two of the Ascot Landaus featured in the Carriage Procession for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011, carrying Prince Harry as the Best Man, Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids and Page Boys from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. They are also used to transport new Commonwealth High Commissioners when they are received by The Queen, for an Audience at Buckingham Palace.

The carriage will be pulled by Windsor Grey horses. 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.

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

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order theRoyal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.

ANOTHER ROYAL BABY DUE ON 13TH MAY
(and this one weighs in at 485 lbs!)

The public will get its first glimpse of another Royal baby due on 13th May, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

Much more tuneful and rather heavier than your average infant, it will be put up for adoption immediately, having lived at Buckingham Palace once before.

That is because it is Queen Victoria’s personal piano.

Private bidding has already opened on an exceptionally rare Royal baby grand piano – with impeccable manners and provenance – 126 years after its original home in Buckingham Palace, where it spent the first five years of its life.

The baby grand, technically, a ‘boudoir grand’ was made by English manufacturer, John Broadwood & Sons. It was delivered to the Palace on 11th November 1887, during the Queen’s Golden Jubilee year for the monarch’s personal use.

Many years later, following royal custom, Victoria’s piano was given to a member of the Royal household, a Mrs F Boston, on the occasion of her wedding.

In the intervening period the instrument played a leading role in the life-long love affair between Eugenie Schumann, daughter of Robert and Clara Schumann, and Marie Fillunger, the renowned international soprano.

While Broadwood company records show the piano was hired in the name of Miss Fillunger it was Eugenie who played it for several seasons in London where they lived together. The two were later buried next to each other in the Gsteig cemetery in Interlaken, Switzerland.

Stephen Pringle founder of Sherwood Phoenix is a leading historic piano dealer and auctioneer said: ‘it’s really rather special: we’re talking well into six figures here.’

“While the world celebrates the recent arrival of Prince Louis this is the only Royal Baby we at Sherwood Phoenix are ever likely to hold.

“Serious interest has been building in Victoria’s piano from all over the world since we have given it pride of place in our Mansfield showroom, viewers have travelled from as far as America, China and Bangkok.

“Bidding is already in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. Two of Victoria’s undergarments recently fetched more than £16,000 a pair and her billiard table went for almost £1m.

“Victoria’s baby grand still plays beautifully and would grace any house or international museum. The romantic Schumann provenance has huge appeal too.

“You might even say this is Victoria’s best kept secret – musically speaking, of course.”

Public viewing of this “baby” will remain open at The Grand Hall until the conclusion of Sherwood Phoenix 13th May 2018 Piano auction, the largest piano auction in the UK this year. All written offers will be shown to the vendor at 12.00 noon on the 14th May 2018. With over £500,000.00 worth of instruments to offer, there are Steinways, Bosendorfers and many other fine instruments to explore.