Category: Official Announcements

Upcoming Engagement: Irish Guards St. Patrick’s Day Parade

On Friday, March 17, 2023, The Prince and Princess of Wales will attend the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot. It will be the first time Catherine attends the parade as Colonel of the Regiment. She will present the traditional sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen and the Irish Wolf Hound regimental mascot. The parade will conclude with a Royal Salute and march past where Her Royal Highnesses will take the salute as the new Colonel.

Upcoming Engagement: Commonwealth Day Service

On March 13, 2023, The Prince and Princess of Wales will join other members of the Royal Family for the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. Afterward, Their Royal Highnesses will attend a reception hosted by the King and Queen Consort at Buckingham Palace.

The Princess of Wales Appointed Colonel Of The Irish Guards

Catherine, The Princess of Wales, has made history today as she takes over Prince William’s role as Colonel of the Irish Guards. The Princess will continue the tradition of passing out shamrocks at the regiment’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Something we’ve seen her take part in for over ten years. The role of Colonel is Catherine’s first role in the regiment.

In an announcement from Buckingham Palace, Trooping of the Colour will take place on June 17, 2023.

Other appointments include, The Queen Consort being appointed Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, Prince Andrew’s former role, and The Prince of Wales being appointed Colonel of the Welsh Guards.

London Bridge Has Fallen: Queen Elizabeth Dies At 96

In sad news, Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth has died.

The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.

Earlier today, a statement read,

“Following further evaluation this morning, The Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

— The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duchess of Sussex, did not travel to Balmoral.

— With the death of Queen Elizabeth, her son Charles is now King, and Camilla is Queen Consort. He will go by King Charles.

— William and Catherine are now The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

— The children of Harry and Meghan are now a Prince and Princess, although it’s yet to be determined if titles will be changed.

Updates will follow as they are released in this post.

New Patronage: Maternal Mental Health Alliance



Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge announced in a video message that she’s the new Patron on Maternal Mental Health Alliance. A statement from Luciana Berger, Chair of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance says:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and staff team, I am delighted to announce Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge as Royal Patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA).

The MMHA was founded in 2011, and in just over a decade we have celebrated significant and much-needed progress in the provision of specialist perinatal mental health services across the UK. Today, thanks to the extraordinary and sustained efforts of our members, supporters, and Lived Experience Champions, more mums than ever can access the right care at the right time. However, there is still work to be done to ensure this is a reality for every mum, baby, and family.

We are immensely honoured that The Duchess has recognised and chosen to support the MMHA’s work by becoming our Royal Patron. The Duchess’ longstanding dedication to the Early Years and keen interest in mental health marry beautifully with our aims; it is a perfect partnership.

The MMHA looks forward to working with The Duchess to ensure the needs of all women, babies, and families continue to be heard and met.

Source

Photos & Roundup: February 22 – Royal Visit Denmark – Day 1

The Duchess of Cambridge, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrived in Denmark and was received upon her arrival at Copenhagen International Airport by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark (Her Excellency Mrs. Emma Hopkins). Her Royal Highness visited the Centre for Early Intervention and Family Studies at the University of Copenhagen, Nørregade. The Duchess of Cambridge afterward visited Børnemuseet: the Children’s Museum in Frederiksberg then the Lego Foundation PlayLab at the Campus Carlsberg, University College Copenhagen, Humletorvet.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2022> Pakistan Tour > February 22 | Royal Visit: Denmark – Set 1 – Day 1

New Patronage: Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League

The patronage, which has been given to The Duchess by Her Majesty The Queen, closely aligns with Her Royal Highness’ longstanding passion for sport and the lifelong benefits it can provide, both within our communities and on an individual level.

“It is a great honour to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge as our Patron,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney. “Our aim is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union, develop the sport for future generations and create a successful thriving game across the country.

“As rugby clubs have re-opened across the country, players, officials and volunteers are celebrating being back in the game together, and we know the support of The Duchess will be greatly valued from our grassroots clubs and fast-growing women and girls’ game, right up to our elite men’s and women’s England teams.”

Alongside the RFU, The Duchess has also been named Patron of the Rugby Football League.

Source

Duchess of Cambridge Makes Private Visit to Memorial for Sarah Everard

Kate Middleton visited a memorial for Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman whose remains were found on Friday, over a week after she disappeared in London.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, made a private visit on Saturday to the memorial in Clapham Common, an area near Everard’s home in Brixton, where she was seen walking before her disappearance on March 3.

“She wanted to pay her respects to Sarah and her family,” a royal source tells PEOPLE. “She remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night.”

During her visit, Kate was seen leaving flowers at the memorial, according to The Mirror.

Everard disappeared on March 3 while walking home, prompting police to launch an extensive search. Then on Friday, police confirmed that remains found over 50 miles from where she was last seen belonged to Everard, according to CNN.

The Metropolitan Police have since announced that a “serving police constable” has been charged in court “with the kidnap and murder of” Everard.

The officer, Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday for his first hearing. His next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

Continue Reading…

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

October 02 – Visiting The Aga Khan Centre

On October 02, 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited The Aga Khan Centre.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined His Highness The Aga Khan for the special event ahead of their official visit to Pakistan later this month.

Organised in co-operation with the High Commission of Pakistan, the event showcased modern Pakistani culture, and saw The Duke and Duchess meet a range of people from Pakistan, including community leaders, those involved in British and Pakistani business, and key figures within the Diaspora community, including musicians, chefs and artists.

The Aga Khan Development Network has been working in Pakistan for over a century to improve the quality of life, promote pluralism, and enhance civil society.

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Engagements & Tour Photos > 2019 > October 02 | Visiting The Aga Khan Centre