The Royal Week 8-14 April 2023

Sunday 10th April

The King, The Queen Consort and Members of the Royal Family attended the Easter Mattins service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

Monday 11th April

The Duchess of Edinburgh this morning visited at His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth.

Wednesday 12th April

The Duke of Edinburgh visited Cambridgeshire, first visiting Harry Specters factory to recognise the wonderful employment opportunities they provide for autistic people.

The Duke later opened Viva Arts new theatre before meeting a group of DofE students at the Open Awards Centre, a charity offering the programme to those who may not get chance to do theirs in school.

Meanwhile, The Duchess of Edinburgh attended Mencap Health Inequalities Summit at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London to learn more about the healthcare inequalities faced by people with a learning disability.

Since 2002, The Duchess has been Patron of Mencap, a charity which values and supports people with a learning disability, their families, and carers. Their vision is a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included.

Thursday 13th April

At Windsor Castle, The King received the Chief Executive Officer and Director of The Royal Mint, who presented His Majesty with coins created in commemoration of his upcoming Coronation.

The Duchess of Edinburgh visited ‘The Oglesby Centre’ at Hallé St Peter’s in Manchester. The Hallé was originally opened by Her Royal Highness, as Patron, in 2013. The Oglesby Centre is a rehearsal, performance, education and ancillary spaces for the prestigious Hallé orchestra and choir.

Later, The Duchess, as the proud Patron of Caring for Life, visited Crag House Farm in Leeds, where she met with small groups of beneficiaries, volunteers, and staff on the 35th anniversary of the charity.

At the Little Granary, Her Royal Highness took a short tour of the stables and saw some of the ponies that The Duchess’s trust donated funds to purchase.

Friday 14th April

The King inspected the 200th Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. During the Parade, 171 Officer Cadets were commissioned as Army Officers. The Parade marks completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets, all of whom hold His Majesty’s Commission as of midnight on the day of the parade. Among those on parade were 26 international cadets from 15 countries who have become commissioned officers in their new countries.

His Majesty presented the new Colours and Sovereign’s Banner to the receiving Ensigns, before giving an address and presenting the prize winners’ awards, including the Sword of Honour. The old colours, belonging to Her Late Majesty, were also marched onto the parade with the cadets passing the statue of Queen Elizabeth II, at which point a salute will be given.

Addressing the Parade, The King said:

Having attended – and survived! – two of the other Military Academies fifty years ago, I think I have some idea of the challenges which are inherent in military training.  I have experienced the nerves, the exhaustion – even the self-doubt – but, despite such recollections, it is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humour that you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.

The Duchess of Gloucester, as Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association, attended the Billie Jean King Cup Matches between Great Britain and France in Coventry.