The Royal Week 5-11 February 2022

Saturday 5 February

On the eve of the 70th anniversary of The Queen’s Accession to throne, Her Majesty hosted a reception for members of the local community and volunteer groups at Sandringham House.

The Queen was joined by the Sandringham branch of the Women’s Institute, Sandringham Estate pensioners and their families, and representatives from local charities Little Discoverers and West Norfolk Befriending.

Her Majesty also released a message thanking the public and her family for their support, and looking forward to Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the coming year:

The Princess Royal, Scottish Rugby Union Patron, presented the Calcutta Cup to Scotland at Murrayfield following the England v. Scotland Six Nations Rugby Match,

Sunday 6 February

To mark the 70th Anniversary of The Queen’s Accession, The Prince of Wales released his own message:

New photos of The Queen were also released, picturing her with her famous red boxes.

Over the past 70 years, The Queen has received daily papers from her Private Secretaries, in person or via a red despatch box. The boxes hold documents updating Her Majesty on events in Parliament as well as overseas and Commonwealth matters, and State papers requiring her signature and Royal assent.  

Monday 7 February

Gun Salutes were fired across the UK to mark The Queen’s Accession Day. In London, Her Majesty’s Mounted Ceremonial Battery, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery paraded their 71 horses and six First World War-era gun carriages past Buckingham Palace and up Constitution Hill to Green Park to stage the midday 41-gun salute.

In Wales, a ceremony took place inside the grounds of Cardiff Castle, organised by 160th (Welsh) Brigade. In Northern Ireland, the Reservists of 206 Ulster Battery Royal Artillery (RA) based in Newtownards and Coleraine fired a 21-gun salute at Hillsborough Castle. Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle was the location for 105 Regiment Royal Artillery’s 21-gun salute.

Back in London, at 1 pm the Tower of London’s equally impressive L118 Ceremonial Light Guns, similar to those that were used operationally in Afghanistan, fired a 62-gun salute from Tower Wharf overlooking HMS Belfast across the Thames by the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC).

Tuesday 8 February

At Windsor Castle, The Prince of Wales held an Investiture Ceremony.

The Duchess of Cornwall, as Patron of St John’s Foundation, visited Roundhill Primary School in Bath, to see how the Foundation is working to equip children with the skills and level of education needed to thrive their transition to secondary school.

Her Royal Highness also visited the Bath-based charity VOICES to meet people with lived experience of domestic abuse, to understand how the charity works with survivors and overcomers of abuse on their journey of recovery.

In the evening, The Duchess, as Patron of British Equestrian, hosted a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the success of the British Equestrian teams at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Meanwhile in London, The Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to PACT (Parents and Children Together) as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.

Set up by Citizens UK in 2014, PACT is a community-led social support project which aims to build a confident, resilient community of parents who can give their children the best start in life whatever their circumstances.

The Princess Royal was in Tyne and Wear, starting the day at the South Tyneside College to see the Marine Simulation Centre, before also visiting the Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families Research at Northumbria University.

The day finished with Her Royal Highness presenting The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2021 to Skill Mill, a social enterprise providing environmental employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Established in 1965, The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses.

Tuesday was also Safer Internet Day, and The Countess of Wessex shared an article on the importance of tackling the abuse and exploitation of children online, and how to help young people enjoy the internet safely:

Every one of us is invested in keeping children safe – whether online or offline. Let 2022 be the year we prioritise this issue and make sure our children can explore this amazing online world safely. - The Countess of Wessex

Wednesday 9 February

The Queen had one of her weekly Audiences with the Prime Minister.

The Princess Royal hosted two Investiture Ceremonies at Windsor Castle.

At the British Museum, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended a reception to celebrate the British Asian Trust.

The Prince of Wales founded the British Asian Trust in 2007, alongside a group of pre-eminent British Asian business leaders. The charity works to reduce poverty and disadvantage for communities in South Asia. This includes work in areas of anti-trafficking, education, livelihoods, mental health and conservation.

Thursday 10 February

As part of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Week, The Duchess of Cornwall visited Paddington Haven, to meet staff and survivors of sexual assault to hear about their experiences and the vital support and care available via sexual assault referral centres (SARCs).

Her Royal Highness also visited UKHarvest to open their Nourish Hub, which helps the local community in West London to tackle food waste whilst coming together, eating well and learning essential skills for life.

The Duchess finished her day with a visit to the Thames Valley Partnership charity to learn about their work to support those affected by domestic abuse.

The Duke of Cambridge was in Dubai on his first official visit to the UAE, where he attended the Expo2020 Dubai.

During his time in Dubai, His Royal Highness was also able to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, alongside the efforts in the region to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. United for Wildlife, established by The Duke, has been working in the region to facilitate public-private partnerships in the UAE to help achieve this.

The visit was also an opportunity to showcase The Earthshot Prize on the world stage at Expo 2020 Dubai, highlighting some of the remarkable innovators from the inaugural 2021 Earthshot Prize.

In Cornwall, The Princess Royal visited Battling On, an organisation who provide support for all ex-armed services personnel adapting to civilian life.

As Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, Her Royal Highness visited Torbay Station in Devon, presenting Long Service and Special Service Awards.

The Countess of Wessex enjoyed some Valentine’s Day inspired arts and crafts made by children and families supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Her Royal Highness is Patron of the children’s hospice charity supports around 700 families who have a baby, child, or young adult with a life-limiting condition or who have been bereaved across London and Surrey.

You can see a full list of engagements undertaken by The Royal Family in the Court Circular