The Royal Family’s Engagements during CHOGM 2018
As previously announced, the United Kingdom will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from Monday 16th to Friday 20th April 2018, with events to take place across Royal Palaces.
The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, looks forward to welcoming the Commonwealth leaders into Her Majesty’s homes in London and Windsor. The Queen and the Royal Family have a deep affection for, and enduring belief in the Commonwealth, its values, and what binds it together as a global network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people, of whom 60 per cent are under 30 years old.
The week will begin with three days of Commonwealth Forums around four topics: Business, Women, People and Youth. The forums, to be held at the QEII Centre and Guildhall, will bring together over 2,000 people from across the Commonwealth, representing the worlds of business, civil society and government. As outlined in the following programme, Members of the Royal Family will attend forums which reflect their various areas of interest.
On Thursday 19th April, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales and other Members of the Royal Family, will host the CHOGM Formal Opening in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace. Following this, Her Majesty, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will host the traditional lunchtime reception for new Heads of Government. The Queen’s Dinner will be held in the evening at Buckingham Palace, to be hosted by Her Majesty and attend by Members of the Royal Family.
On Friday 20th April the Leaders’ Retreat will be held at Windsor Castle, marking the formal end of CHOGM. Subsequently, on Saturday 21st April there will be a concert at the Royal Albert Hall to mark The Queen’s Birthday, to be attended by Her Majesty and Members of the Royal Family.
Audiences and bilateral meetings
In addition to the following programme, The Queen will hold a number of Audiences during the CHOGM week. Members of the Royal Family will also hold bilateral meetings on Her Majesty’s behalf. Consistent with the usual process, details will not be announced in advance. Royal Rota material will be available through the usual organisations.
Day One: Monday 16th April, 2018
Morning
– Prince Harry will attend the Youth Cabinet Roundtable and opening session of the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the QEII Conference Centre.
Afternoon
– The Duke of York will attend the Commonwealth Science Conference at the Royal Society.
Evening
– The Duke of Cambridge will attend the Welcome to the UK Reception at the QEII Conference Centre.
– The Duke of York will host Pitch@Palace Commonwealth at St James’s Palace.
– The Countess of Wessex will attend The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Reception at Tower Bridge.
Day Two: Tuesday 17th April, 2018
Morning / afternoon
– The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will attend the Big Commonwealth Lunch Forum at the QEII Conference Centre.
– The Prince of Wales will meet civil society representatives from the People’s Forum. His Royal Highness will also join representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network and selected Youth Forum delegates for a roundtable discussion on the work of young people in the Commonwealth on Climate Change at the QEII Conference Centre
– The Duke of Cambridge will attend a joint session of the Commonwealth Business and Youth Forums at the QEII Conference Centre.
Day Three: Wednesday 18th April, 2018
Morning
–Â Prince Harry will attend a reception with Commonwealth Youth Forum delegates at the QEII Conference Centre.
Afternoon
– The Prince of Wales will attend a reception at the closing session of the Commonwealth Business Forum at the Guildhall.
– The Prince of Wales and The Duke of York will attend the Malaria No More Summit at 8 Northumberland Avenue. The Prince of Wales will give the keynote address.
– The Duchess of Cornwall will attend a roundtable meeting and the closing session of Women’s Forum at the QEII Centre.
– The Prince of Wales will host a Prince’s Trust International CHOGM Reception at St. James’s Palace.
Day Four: Thursday 19th April, 2018
Morning
– The Queen, accompanied by Members of The Royal Family, will host the CHOGM Formal Opening in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace.
Afternoon
– The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will host a reception for new Heads of Government at Buckingham Palace.
Evening
–Â The Queen’s Dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Day Five: Friday 20th April, 2018
Morning
– The Earl of Wessex will attend the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast at the Intercontinental Hotel.
– The Countess of Wessex will attend the Spouses’ Programme at Kew Gardens.
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