Category: Gallery Addition

December 03 – NATO 70th Anniversary Summit Reception

On December 03, 2019 The Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace to mark 70 years of the NATO alliance.

The Duchess joined other members of the royal family including, the Princess Royal, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to host world leaders including The President and First Lady of The United States, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and many others.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > December 03 | NATO 70th Anniversary Summit Reception

November 21 – Tusk Awards Nominees Reception

On November 21, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined Tusk Awards nominees at a private tea and reception for the finalist.

The Duchess was scheduled to attend the actual award show with Prince William for the second year in a row, but was forced to pull out due to an undisclosed issue dealing with the children.

The awards recognize the unsung heroes of conservation, who are nominated by their peers without their prior knowledge, in recognition of their outstanding and inspirational efforts to conserve Africa’s natural heritage.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Tusk Awards Nominees Reception

November 18 – The Royal Variety Performance

On November 18, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended The Royal Variety Performance.

The Royal Variety Performance takes place every year and is held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity. The money raised from the show helps hundreds of entertainers throughout the UK, who are in need of help and assistance as a result of old age, ill-health, or hard times. In particular, the charity assists former members of the entertainment industry living in Brinsworth House, a residential home in Twickenham, which is owned and run by the charity.

Hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, the evening included performances from the cast of Mary Poppins, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel, Robbie Williams, the cast of Come From Away, and a special collaboration by Emeli Sandé and Manchester’s Bee Vocal choir.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > November 18 | The Royal Variety Performance

November 15 – The Duchess Of Cambridge Opens The Nook Children Hospice

On November 15, 2019 The Duchess of Cambridge officially opened The Nook in Norfolk.

Five years ago The Duchess of Cambridge helped launch The Nook Appeal, which aimed to raise £10 million for a purpose-built children’s hospice which includes a hydrotherapy pool, state-of-the-art sensory room and music studio. The Nook will also offer specialist nursing care, symptom management nursing, wellbeing activities, therapies, counselling and volunteer services.

During her visit The Duchess toured the facilities, including the hydrotherapy pool and state-of-the-art sensory room, she also met and participated in activities with children and their families.

At the end of her visit Catherine gave a short speech to 300 invited guests, saying in part: “…EACH was one of the very first charities that I decided to become Patron of after my marriage. Whilst a lot has changed since then, my commitment and support for this wonderful organisation and the work that you do has not.

Over the years, I have seen first-hand the depth of EACH’s reputation as a standard-bearer in children’s hospice care, both here in the U.K. and internationally too, during my visits to Malaysia and Australia.

Your hugely dedicated and talented team are at the core of this success and I wanted especially today to thank you, Graham, for everything you have done over the past sixteen years and to wish you a very happy retirement.

The Nook Hospice is a fitting tribute to all your staff, its generous supporters and its awe-inspiring children and families who I have been so lucky to meet here today. I therefore could not be more delighted to invite my army of little helpers to join me in officially opening this new hospice….”

Her Royal Highness has been Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices since January 2012, a charity that offers support for children and young people with life-threatening conditions and supports families across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. They offer families flexibility and control over where they receive their care and support, including where their child dies; at home, in hospital or at one of three hospices at Milton (Cambridge), The Nook (Norfolk) and The Treehouse (Ipswich).

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Engagements & Tour Photos> 2019 > November 15 | The Duchess Of Cambridge Opens The Nook Children Hospice

November 10 – Remembrance Sunday

On November 10, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined The Queen, The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, other members of the Royal Family, faith leaders, political leaders, veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces at Cenotaph on Whitehall to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom as a day “to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts”.[1] It is held at 11am on the second Sunday in November (the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War in 1918).

During the event The Duchess of Cambridge joined Her Majesty and the Duchess of Cornwall on the balcony of the Foreign Office in Whitehall.

Prince Charles, William, Harry, The Duke of York and other dignitaries laid wreaths of remembrance poppies on the memorials.

Following the Remembrance Day Service, more than 10,000 veterans marched past the Cenotaph to remember the fallen.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > November 10 | Remembrance Sunday

November 09 – Festival of Remembrance

On November 09, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The event brings together military and civilian performers, veterans, servicemen and women and those wishing to pay their respects to members of the Armed Forces who have died in service of their country.

This year’s Festival of Remembrance marked the 75th anniversaries of the great battles of 1944 and the collaboration and friendship of the British, Commonwealth and Allied armies who fought them.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > November 09 | Festival of Remembrance

November 07 – Launch Of The National Emergencies Trust

Today, November 07, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge launched The National Emergencies Trust.

The National Emergencies Trust was set up to raise funds from the general public in the event of a disaster or emergency within England for the alleviation of the needs of those affected by the event. The funds collected will be distributed by local partners on the ground in the areas affected by the emergency event.

The Trust’s creation came about as a result of 2017’s Manchester bombings and Grenfell Tower fire. Following these emergencies the Charity Commission consulted with the charity sector on how to better respond to national emergencies, developing the Fund as a result.

During their visit Their Royal Highnesses met with representatives of the National Emergencies Trust and spoke with people affected by previous disasters, including the Grenfell Tower fire and the Westminster Bridge terrorist attack.

Prince William gave a speech, saying in part: “I am very pleased that the National Emergencies Trust now stands ready to provide a structured, organised response to help people right across the UK in the event of a domestic disaster. Many thanks to the whole team behind the Trust for all their hard work ahead of the launch. We all dread the day when you are needed. But I know that, like everyone here, I am glad that you now exist.”

You can read his whole speech here.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > November 07 | Launch of The National Emergencies Trust

Photos & Roundup: October 18 – Royal Tour Pakistan – Day 5

CHANGE OF PLANS: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge completed the final day of their tour of Pakistan, but not according to plan. Upon their departure from Lahore William and Catherine as well as members of the press who were traveling with them were forced to return to Lahore due to inclement weather conditions. Because of this their visit to Kyhber Pass, on the border with Afghanistan, had to be cancelled. Instead, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to SOS Children’s Villages for another more private visit.

ARMY CANINE CENTRE: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge concluded their tour of Pakistan at the Army Canine Centre. The Duke and Duchess walked puppies and toured the facility learning about the impact the dogs have made in the detection of explosives. The Duke and Duchess also spoke to the media while at the centre, speaking on their rerouted flight. The couple departed from Pakistan shortly after.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > Pakistan Tour – Day 5 – Set 1
Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > Pakistan Tour – Day 5 – Set 2

Photos & Roundup: October 17 – Royal Tour Pakistan – Day 4

The Duke and Duchess traveled to Lahore for another jammed packed day of engagements.

BIRTHDAY PARTY: William and Catherine were greeted at the Lahore Airport by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and their families, before heading to the SOS Children’s Villages where they helped celebrate the birthdays of three of the children.

The SOS Children’s Village serves as a home for orphan and underprivileged children. Each Village consists of 15 house units, and each house unit can accommodate up to 10 children. The house is run by a ‘mother’ who looks after the children. The organization provides children with loving care, security, higher education and job-training.

The Duchess gave her first speech during the tour at the party, speaking in Urdu in her opening, the Duchess said: “Assalam O Alaikum,” she said. “Iman, Ibrahim aur Daniyal apni salgirah pur bulanay ka bohat shukria.” (Translation: “Hello. Peace be upon you. Iman, Ibrahim and Daniyal, thank you for inviting us to your birthday celebration.)

Being here in Pakistan this week, William and I have seen on several occasions how family is at the heart of your culture. Parents, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents all play important roles – you have reminded us exactly what family means. You have shown us too that it is not simply a term that describes the relationship between blood relatives.

Instead it describes those special bonds we share with those who make us feel safe and supported. It is the quality of those relationships that matters. Earlier this year I talked about the fact that it takes a village to raise a child. The village we have seen here today is the best representation of that ideal that I could have possibly imagined. Together as a village you are transforming children’s lives and providing them with strong foundations to support all their families.

You have created a home, where children are given the love, protection, and support that will enable them to have a fairer chance in life. Here, women who were once vulnerable, now play the most vital of roles as mothers and it is most heartening to see that you are not doing this alone.”

NATIONAL CRICKET ACADEMY: Next, William and Catherine visited the National Cricket Academy where they both joined in on a match with children who are participating in the British Council’s DOSTI program. The DOSTI aims to create a difference by breaking social barriers and promoting community cohesion by making sports an integral part of the social life of youth in Karachi.

The Project facilitates youth development in select locations in Karachi by working through schools, local sports clubs, civil society partners and other stakeholders to engage both in-school and out of school youth in activities that promote intergroup understanding and interaction. The programme uses national and local resources as well as UK expertise to build capacity of partners and participants.

BADSHAHI MOSQUE: Then, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Badshahi Mosque, the most iconic Islamic site in Lahore, set in the heart of the Walled City. The couple toured the mosque and courtyard, before joining a discussion with faith leaders to learn how they are promoting interfaith harmony within their communities.

TEA PARTY: William and Catherine’s last engagement today had a little extra meaning as they visited the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, a state-of-the-art cancer facility located in the centre of Lahore. The couple visited the children’s ward of the hospital to spend time with patients undergoing treatment, and to speak to their families. In 1996 and 1997 William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales the facility. In the cutest moment of the tour The Duke and Duchess joined seven-year-old Wafia Rehmani for a tea party. Catherine donned a tiara and William “drank” from her little pink cup.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > Pakistan Tour – Day 4 – Set 1
Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > Pakistan Tour – Day 4 – Set 2

Photos & Roundup: October 16 – Royal Tour Pakistan – Day 3

CLIMATE CHANGE: Day three of The Duke and Duchess’s tour of Pakistan focused on climate change and global warming and the effects that they are having on Northern Pakistan.

The Duke and Duchess started their day by visiting the mountains of Northern Pakistan, at a glacier in Broghil National Park. The Duke and Duchess walked around the northern tip of the glacier, and saw how it has retreated in recent years as a result of global warming.

Later, they visited isolated communities in the center of Chitral which have suffered from severe flash flooding in recent years as a result of the glaciers melting. William and Catherine saw buildings and farmland destroyed in the severe floods of 2015 and talked to locals who have been affected.

The Duke and Duchess also saw drills conducted by volunteers from the local Emergency Response and Search & Rescue teams, which through community education and early warning work, were instrumental in preventing loss of life in 2015.

KALESH VILLIAGE: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited a settlement of the Kalash people in Northern Pakistan to learn more about the Kalash Community and their unique heritage and traditions.

The Duke and Duchess joined children and young people from the tribe in the village square to hear how the Kalesh coexist alongside the other communities that call the region home.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > October 16 | Pakistan Tour – Day 3 – Set 1

Photos & Roundup: October 15 – Royal Tour Pakistan – Day 2

MODEL COLLEGE: On the first full day of their royal visit to Pakistan, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Model College for Girls in Islamabad to hear how students are benefiting from the ‘Teach for Pakistan’ program.

‘Teach for Pakistan’ recruits and trains graduates and young professionals for a two-year Fellowship to teach in low-income schools that lack quality teachers. After the Fellowship, graduates will use their experiences to help tackle Pakistan’s most pressing problems in education, fostering action to change policy and curriculum, mobilizing resources, turning around schools, and spurring social innovation.

This program is based off a similar program in the UK called ‘Teach First’, which also focuses on improving the quality of teaching in schools which serve families from disadvantaged backgrounds.

MARGALLA HILLS: For their second engagement of the day William and Catherine visited the Margalla Hills, which sit in the foothills of the Himalayas.

There, they joined children from four local schools participating in the World Wildlife Fund Green Schools program, taking part in activities designed to educate young people on environmental protection and wildlife conservation. This included helping the children identify and remove species of plants that are threatening the natural environment, bird watching, and storytelling on local environment issues.

MEETINGS: Following a quick change of clothes, Their Royal Highnesses met with President and First Lady of Pakistan at the Presidential Palace. Afterwards, they met with Prime Minister Imran Khan for lunch.

Prime Minister Imran Khan was a former cricket player and friend of Prince William’s mother Princess Diana who was married to her good friend Jemima Khan, now Jemima Goldsmith. It’s reported that Diana would often take William and Harry, to play at the Goldsmith’s property in Richmond Park in south west London. Diana also supported PM Khan’s efforts to build a cancer center during her visits to the country.

EVENING RECEPTION: Arriving to the iconic Pakistan National Monument via a traditional rickshaw, Prince William stole the show wearing a traditional sherwani. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ended their jam pakced first day with a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew celebrating the very best of Pakistani music and culture, as well as highlighting the prosperous UK-Pakistan relationship.

The Duke and Duchess met well-known individuals from business, the creative arts, the Pakistan music and film industry, and members of Government.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > October 14 | Pakistan Tour – Day 2 – Set 1
Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > October 14 | Pakistan Tour – Day 2 – Set 2
Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > October 14 | Pakistan Tour – Day 2 – Set 3

Photos & Roundup: October 14 – Royal Tour Pakistan – Day 1

On October 14, 2019 The Duke and Duchess arrived to Rawalpindi, a city located just outside the capital city of Islamabad. The Duke and Duchess landed at 9:30 p.m. local time at Pakistani Air Force Base Nur Khan. William and Catherine were greeted by Britain’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Thomas Drew.

The Cambridge’s will spend five days in the country starting today and concluding October 18, 2019.

When the tour was announced High Commissioner for Pakistan, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, said: “The Government and the people of Pakistan warmly welcome the announcement of the royal visit by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Pakistan this year. The people of Pakistan still cherish and fondly recall the visits of Her Majesty the Queen to Pakistan in 1961 and 1997. The upcoming royal visit is a reflection of the importance the United Kingdom attaches to its relations with Pakistan. The two countries enjoy historical links which both sides wish to strengthen further.”

Although the first full day of the tour will start tomorrow, the itinerary has been embargoed for security reasons. We do know The Duke and Duchess will focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today with it’s rich culture, diverse communities and beautiful landscapes.

Their Royal Highnesses will meet a wide variety of people, including children and young people, leaders from government, business and the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, and well-known cultural figures and sporting stars.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > Pakistan Tour > October 14 | Pakistan Tour – Day 1 – Set 1