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@KensingtonRoyalRead more about the highlights of this week’s Royal activities, events and engagements.
Saturday 11 March
The King’s new horse, Noble, was revealed. Noble is 16.2hh black mare, who was given to His Majesty by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
As Patron the Royal Academy of Music, The Duchess of Gloucester visited their Junior Academy in Marylebone.
Sunday 12 March
The Princess Royal, as Patron of Scottish Rugby Union, attended the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Monday 13 March
The King, The Queen Consort and other members of The Royal Family marked Commonwealth Day – an annual celebration of the diversity and achievements of the organisation and its citizens.
The Commonwealth Day theme for 2023 was ‘Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’, highlighting the active commitment of the family of nations to support the promotion of peace, prosperity and sustainability, especially through climate action, to secure a better future for young people and improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens.
At Westminster Abbey, The King delivered his first Commonwealth Day message during the Commonwealth Day Service:
The Queen Consort, The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, all joined His Majesty at the annual Service.
Their Majesties later hosted members of the diplomatic and Commonwealth communities at Buckingham Palace for the annual Commonwealth Day Reception.
Ahead of the reception, The King signed the Commonwealth Charter; a single document outlining the sixteen core values of the association, which the leaders of the Commonwealth have committed to upholding.
The charter was signed by Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House on Commonwealth Day in 2013.
Earlier in the day, The Duke of Edinburgh as Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, met young participants of the Award at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Tuesday 14 March
The King held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace, with the Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May among the recipients.
His Majesty also held a number of Audiences including Her Excellency Fiamé Naomi Mata'afa MP (Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa), Sir Tony Radakin (Chief of the Defence Staff), Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch (Chief Royal Engineer, Corps of Royal Engineers), and the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP (Chancellor of the Exchequer).
The Queen Consort as Patron of Elmhurst Ballet School attended a special centenary performance at the school.
Among the students met by Her Majesty was Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Mmesoma Madu. Anthony was awarded a scholarship to Elmhurst Ballet School in 2020 after a video of him dancing barefoot in the rain went viral online.
Following this, The Queen Consort visited Southwater One Library where she thanked staff and representatives from local outreach and voluntary groups for their great contribution to the community.
The Duke of Edinburgh (formerly known as The Earl of Wessex) was announced as Patron of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
To mark the announcement, The Duke visited the East Midlands where he met young people in Derby and Nottingham who are making a difference to their communities, workplace and futures through their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Duke of Gloucester was in Cumbria, where he visited Birdoswald Roman Fort, the Cumbria Clock Company, and Askham Hall Hospice to mark their 20th anniversary.
Wednesday 15 March
The King joined members of the Sudanese community from across the United Kingdom, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the conflict in Darfur.
2023 marks a year of activity by the Sudanese community to mark the start of the conflict, and atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan.
During the visit, His Majesty spent time speaking to members of the Sudanese community, hearing their testimonies of the conflict in the region and about their lives, in Sudan and now in the UK.
The King also held at number of Audiences at Buckingham Palace, with the incoming Ambassador from the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Aly Diallo, and the incoming Ambassador from the Republic of Mali, both presenting His Majesty with their ‘Letters of Credence’.
Later Dr. Richard Montgomery was received in audience by The King upon his appointment as British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Duke of Edinburgh finished his two-day visit in support of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Portland College.
The Princess Royal, as Colonel-in-Chief of the Intelligence Corps, visited the Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham, and later opened Dransfield Properties Number 1 King Street Five Valleys Medical Centre.
Thursday 16 March
The Duke of Gloucester, as Patron of Cathedrals in Pilgrimage, and The Duchess of Gloucester, Royal Patron of Cathedral Music Trust, visited Lichfield and Derby Cathedrals.
Their Royal Highnesses also presented The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development to Cosy Direct in Staffordshire.
The Duke of Kent, President, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, held a Dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Friday 17 March
To mark St Patrick’s Day, The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Irish Guards annual parade in Aldershot.
The Prince of Wales was formerly Colonel of Regiment, with Her Royal Highness recently taking over the role.
At the Parade, The Princess presented the traditional sprigs of shamrock to the Officers and Guardsmen, as well as presenting it to the Irish Wolf Hound regimental mascot – Seamus.
The Duke of Edinburgh as President of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, visited Heatham House Youth Centre in Twickenham and later presented the Community Sport and Recreation Alliance Awards at Twickenham Stadium.
