The Royal Week 22-28 April 2023

Published 28 April 2023

Read more about the highlights of this week’s Royal activities, events and engagements.

The King and The Queen Consort

Sunday 23 April

While in the United States, The Duke of Edinburgh, who is Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, attended a fundraising reception at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

Also on Sunday, The Duke of Kent, as Joint President of the Scout Association, took the salute at the National Parade of Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle. Afterwards, he attended the National Scout Service in St. George's Chapel.


Monday 24 April

On Monday, The Princess of Wales visited The Baby Bank in Windsor to hear about the support the organisation provides to families in Berkshire and the surrounding areas. During her visit, Her Royal Highness met volunteers and helped to sort donations.

Meanwhile, The Duke of Edinburgh met with the President of the World Bank, Mr David Malpass, at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC.

Later that day, The Duke of Edinburgh, in his role as Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, attended a reception in Toronto for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in the Award.


Tuesday 25 April

On Tuesday, The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Gloucester attended Anzac Day services in London.

The Prince of Wales attended the Dawn Service at the Australia Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, where he laid a wreath at Wellington Arch.

The Duke of Gloucester, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps, attended the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, where he laid a wreath. His Royal Highness then attended the Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

As Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, The Duke of Edinburgh continued to carry out engagements in Canada.

During the morning in Toronto, His Royal Highness attended an Award in Action Youth Summit, followed by a Non-Formal Education Summit at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The Duke of Edinburgh in Toronto

Later in the afternoon, His Royal Highness attended a meeting with indigenous leaders.

The Duke of Edinburgh with indigenous leaders in Toronto

Also on Tuesday, The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is Patron of the London College of Fashion opened the Portal Centre for Social Impact at Poplar Works in London.

Meanwhile, The Princess Royal conducted engagements in Northern Ireland. Her Royal Highness visited a Save The Children shop in Ballycastle. The Princess Royal is Patron of the charity.

The Princess Royal at HMS Caroline  in Belfast

During the afternoon, Her Royal Highness, who is also Patron of the National Museum of The Royal Navy, opened HMS Caroline museum at the Alexandra Dock in Belfast.

Wednesday 26 April

The King and The Queen Consort spent Wednesday visiting Liverpool, which will be the host city for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Their Majesties visited the set of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Marks and Spencer Bank Arena. They took a tour of the backstage areas, meeting members of the production team and apprentices, before officially unveiling the Eurovision stage.

Their Majesties also watched a rehearsal and met presenters including Rylan Clark, Scott Mills, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian presenter, Julia Sanina - as well as the United Kingdom’s Eurovision contestant, Mae Muller.

Continuing their visit to Liverpool, Their Majesties then visited Liverpool Central Library to mark the library's twinning with the National Scientific Library in Odesa, Ukraine.

Their Majesties enjoyed poetry, choir and opera performances, watched chess matches and met members of the Ukrainian community and Ukrainian families settled in Liverpool with their host families.

Continuing his visit to Canada, The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Odd Squad Productions Society in Burnaby, British Columbia. The Odd Squad is a society that empowers young people to stay free from drugs and gangs.

The same day, The Duchess of Edinburgh conducted several visits in Kent. Her Royal Highness, who is the Honorary President of Linking Environment And Farming, visited Brockhill Park Performing Arts College, before opening new buildings at Canterbury Christ Church University and Kent and Medway Medical School. Her Royal Highness also visited Kent Refugee Action Network in Canterbury.

The Duchess of Edinburgh in Kent

The Princess Royal, who is Fellow of the Council for Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies, attended its National Annual General Meeting and Council Meeting. During the evening, Her Royal Highness attended the Whitley Awards Ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London. The Princess Royal is Patron of the Whitley Fund for Nature.

Thursday 27 April

On Thursday, His Majesty The King, accompanied by Her Majesty The Queen Consort, presented new Standards and Colours to the Royal Navy, the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The King’s Company of the Grenadier Guards and The King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force at Buckingham Palace.

The parade marked the first Colours presentation at which all three Services of the Armed Forces were represented. His Majesty also addressed the Parade and the Chief of the Defence Staff replied.

The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Wales Air Ambulance, and The Princess of Wales attended a training session with Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team to mark the Rescue Team's Sixtieth Anniversary.

Also on Thursday, in Vancouver, The Duke of Edinburgh attended an Award in Business Breakfast at the Vancouver Club, followed by an Award Leader Summit at York House School. His Royal Highness then attended a meeting with local indigenous leadership and youth representatives, followed by a reception with British Columbia local council members.

The Princess Royal, as Patron of Livability, attended a 'Changes for the Future' Forum in London.

Following this, Her Royal Highness, as Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, opened the National Support Centre and attended a Cadet Forum.

The Princess Royal also attended an 'Art for the People' Forum. 

Friday 28 April 

At Buckingham Palace, The King attended the start of the London leg of the Australian Legacy Centenary Torch Relay in the Quadrangle of  Buckingham Palace.

The King with members of the Australian Legacy Torch Relay

Later in the afternoon, His Majesty received representatives from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Windsor Castle upon His Majesty's appointment as Commissioner-in-Chief and to mark the Institution's 150th anniversary.

The King was received in the Quadrangle of Buckingham Palace with a Royal Salute and the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented His Majesty with the Ceremonial Sword and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Horse, Noble.

Meanwhile, The Prince and Princess of Wales paid their respects at Aberfan Cemetery, before visiting the Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden, where they met local people who were involved in the disaster.

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