The Royal Week 10-16 December 2022

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas for the Royal Family this week, as both The King and The Queen Consort and The Prince and Princess of Wales revealed the images they have chosen for their official Christmas cards.

The Royal residences were looking festive with a snowy start to the week:

Monday 12 December

The King began the week with a visit to the Royal National College for the Blind in Herefordshire where he met students who are being equipped with the skills to live independently, and to prepare for university and work.

In his speech to mark the visit and the 150th anniversary of the college, His Majesty spoke of its exceptional services and students:

I could not be more pleased to see how all these obstacles are being overcome and to know that the college and its students are ready to face the future with confidence and hope.

Tuesday 13 December

The King welcomed The Sultan of Brunei to Windsor Castle.

Audiences with Heads of State, senior diplomats and key figures in Government and the Armed Forces are an important element of His Majesty's work as Monarch.

The Queen Consort visited the Emmaus Community at Bobby Vincent House in South East London. The charity supports formerly homeless people by giving them a home, meaningful work in a social enterprise, funded training and the support needed to get themselves back on their feet again.

There are currently 30 Emmaus communities spread across the UK, supporting around 850 formerly homeless people. In addition, there are four Emmaus groups, all of whom are working towards setting up an Emmaus community in their area.

During the visit. Her Majesty toured the on-site second-hand shop, meeting staff and volunteers, before visiting the community home and the community kitchen, where she met Companions over a cup of tea and a mince pie.

The Duke of Kent, President of King Edward VII's Hospital attended a Carol Service at St. Marylebone Parish Church.

Princess Alexandra visited St Christopher’s Hospice, where she met patients and their families and friends to wish them all a Merry Christmas.

Her Royal Highness is St Christopher’s Patron, which was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders, and offers world class palliative and end of life care.

Wednesday 14 December

Some familiar faces came to a frosty Windsor Castle to received their honours from The King and The Princess Royal. Recipients included actor Damian Lewis, who started a fundraiser to feed NHS staff healthy meals; Paralympic athletes Karen Tonge and Sophie Wells and AstraZeneca Chief Executive Sir Pascal Soriot for services to UK life sciences and the response to Covid-19.

The King visited The Palace of Westminster to thank those involved in The late Queen's Lying-in-State. The extraordinary operation saw queues up to three miles long, with approximately 250,000 people paying their respects in Westminster Hall.

His Majesty unveiled a plaque commemorate the event, as well as a gift of bronze sculptured lamp posts from Parliamentarians to The late Queen, to mark the occasion of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. 

The Princess Royal later attended The Queen’s Green Canopy Exhibition and Reception at Sotheby’s in London.

Thursday 15 December

The King and The Queen Consort visited London's community Kitchen in Harrow, north London.

They toured the facilities, including the surplus food market, the Cookery School and the Kind Café, meeting students and volunteers.

An Investiture took place at Buckingham Palace. Recipients included  broadcaster Claire Balding, Olympic sailor Hannah Mills and Alexis Bowater, Chief Executive of the Network for Surviving Stalking. 

The Countess of Wessex took the salute at Lord High Admiral’s Divisions at Britannia Royal Naval College, as over 200 sailors celebrated completing their training at the college and were officially commissioned as Officers in the Royal Navy.

In the evening, The King and The Queen Consort, The Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal Family attended the 'Together At Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service recognises the selfless efforts of individuals, families and communities across the UK, as well as celebrating and showcasing the joy that human connection and togetherness can bring.

This year’s carol service is dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the values Her Majesty demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion and support for others. 

The service will be broadcast on ITV on Friday 24th December as part of the special programme Royal Carols: Together At Christmas.

The Duke of Gloucester, in his role as Ranger of Epping Forest Heritage Trust, planted a tree for The Queen’s Green Canopy at Wanstead Flats in Redbridge.

Friday 16 December

As the Jewish community prepares to celebrate Chanukah, The King visited JW3, a Jewish community centre in north London. 

The King heard from young people taking part in the programmes offered by JW3, and volunteers who dedicate their time to delivering activities on site. His Majesty attended JW3’s annual pre-Chanukah reception for Holocaust survivors who attend the centre regularly for social and education programmes.

The Duke of Gloucester took the Salute at the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.