The Royal Week 9-15 April 2022

Saturday 9 April

The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, started her visit to Australia with a meeting with the Governor of New South Wales, and later with the Governor-General of Australia.

Her Royal Highness, as Patron of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, visited the Sydney Royal Easter Show and attended the Opening Ceremony.

The Princess inspected troops on the showground and gave a speech in which she spoke of the importance of the annual event.

The Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, attended a Service at London Road Cemetery, Coventry, in memory of St John Ambulance Volunteers who lost their lives in World War II.

Sunday 10 April

Continuing her visit to Australia, The Princess Royal visited the New South Wales Rural Fire Service HQ in Sydney, where she learnt more about the impact of the devastating bushfires in 2019-2020.

Her Royal Highness then had the chance to see MV Cape Don, which is being refurbished and preserved to provide a unique learning environment for indigenous peoples to become ratings (deckhands, sailors) in the maritime sector.

The Princess later attended a Garden Party at Government House in Sydney, with representatives from her Patronages.

Monday 11 April

A video was released of The Queen having a video-call with staff and patients at the Royal London Hospital, hearing about their experiences of working on the front line of healthcare during the pandemic.

Her Majesty also marked the official opening of the hospital’s Queen Elizabeth Unit, which is one of the biggest critical care units in the country; the 155-bed Unit was built on the 14th and 15th floors of the hospital in just five weeks, in response to surging patient numbers due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

On the final morning in Australia, The Princess Royal visited members of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASIGS) and Royal Australian Corps of Transport (RACT) at Holsworthy Barracks.

Her Royal Highness has been the Colonel-in-Chief of the RASIGS since 1977 and of the RACT since 2011.

The Princess then travelled to Papua New Guinea, where she was welcomed by the Prime Minister, James Marape.

The Duke of Kent was in Cornwall, where he opened the Feritech Innovation Centre and later, in his role as President of the RNLI, visited Penlee Lifeboat Station where he laid a wreath at sea to mark the Fortieth Anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster.

Tuesday 12 April

The Princess Royal started her first full day in Papua New Guinea with a visit Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby.

She later opened the National Cardiac Diagnostic Centre at Port Moresby General Hospital and the National Ambulance Control Centre of the St. John Ambulance. 

Her Royal Highness also visited Vabukori and Hanuabada Village, as well as laying a wreath on behalf of The Queen at Bomana War Cemetery.

The day’s events concluded with a tour of the Papua New Guinea Adventure Park and the National Museum and Art Gallery.

Wednesday 13 April

The Queen held a Privy Council via video link at 12.00 noon.

Thursday 14 April

The Prince of Wales, accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, this attended the Maundy Service in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, at which His Royal Highness, on behalf of The Queen, distributed the Royal Maundy money.

Recipients of Maundy money are nominated by their local dioceses for contributions to their local church and community. They receive gifts according to the number of years The Queen has lived: for example, this year, 96 pence worth of Maundy money was distributed to 96 men and 96 women.

The Duke of Cambridge joined the 'Climate of Change' podcast, where he discussed his experiences of climate activism and his involvement in The Earthshot Prize.

The Duchess of Gloucester, Honorary President, the Lawn Tennis Association, attended the Junior National Tennis Championships at the National Tennis Centre in London.

Friday 15 April

To mark Good Friday, the Royal Pastry Chefs shared their recipe and method for Hot Cross Buns.

The Duke of Gloucester, Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, The Royal Logistics Corps, took the Salute at the 96 (The Duke of Gloucester's) Squadron Passing Off Parade at Army Training Centre, Pirbright, Surrey.

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