The Royal Week 14-20 May 2022
Read more about the highlights of this week’s Royal activities, events and engagements.
Saturday 14 May
The Duke of Cambridge, in his role as President of the Football Association, attended the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
The Princess Royal was in France to commemorate 100 years since The King’s Pilgrimage – where her Great-Grandfather King George V visited War Graves in France and Belgium.
As part of a State Visit to Belgium in 1922 the King undertook a three-day tour of the battlefield cemeteries. Her Royal Highness followed in his footsteps at Etaples cemetery, where she laid a wreath.
Monday 16 May
The Duke of Cambridge, on behalf of The Queen, paid his Condolences to The President of the United Arab Emirates following the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, held two receptions for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in the Award at Buckingham Palace.
The events marked the first opportunity since the pandemic to formally recognise the achievements of new DofE Gold Award holders.
Tuesday 17 May
The Queen, accompanied by The Earl of Wessex, visited Paddington Elizabeth line station to mark the completion of the new railway ahead of its opening to passengers on Tuesday 24 May.
During the Royal visit, Her Majesty officially unveiled a plaque to celebrate the completion of the line named in Her honour.
The Earl also had the chance to travel on the railway from Paddington to Tottenham Court Road.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall also started their tour to Canada.
The tour started in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where they were welcomed by The Governor General of Canada and her spouse, His Excellency Whit Grant Fraser and The Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau.
On the first day, they were joined by Indigenous Leaders from across Newfoundland and Labrador, at a solemn ceremony in the Heart Garden, which was followed by a smudging ceremony and a prayer by the President of NunatuKavut Community Council.
Their Royal Highnesses also visited Qidi Vidi Village, where they were introduced to representatives for the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios and meet members of the local community.
The Duke of Cambridge hosted an Investiture Ceremony at Windsor Castle.
His Royal Highness later presented new Colours to the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards.
The Duke is Colonel of the Regiment, who this year will ‘Troop the Colour’ at The Queen’s Birthday Parade at part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Weekend.
In Oxfordshire, The Countess of Wessex opened the Royal Army Chaplains’ Museum at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness was shown an exhibit dedicated to her great uncle, Noel Mellish, who was awarded the VC for his actions in rescuing wounded soldiers from no-man’s land in Belgium, in 1916.
The Countess later visited Charlbury to see how the community came together in response to the pandemic, with a team of over 200 volunteers working to support the most vulnerable residents.
At Ely Cathedral, The Princess Royal unveiled the Fenland Black Oak Project, ‘Table for the Nation’.
The Duke of Gloucester officially opened the new Heathlands Care Home in Bracknell.
Wednesday 18 May
The Queen received Admiral Sir Ben Key upon his appointment as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff. Her Majesty later had an Audience with the Prime Minister.
The Earl of Wessex, on behalf of The Queen, and The Countess of Wessex, The Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Alexandra hosted the second annual Buckingham Palace Garden Party.
On the second day of their tour of Canada, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were in Ottawa, where they laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Their Royal Highnesses also visited the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to meet the Ukrainian Community.
They also visited Assumption School, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to view the musical ride. The Prince later received the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau MP (Prime Minister of Canada) at Rideau Hall, before attending a Sustainable Finance Meeting.
The day finished with a reception given by the Governor General to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
The Duke of Cambridge, Commodore-in-Chief, Submarines, unveiled a new Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The Princess Royal, The Duke of Gloucester and The Countess of Wessex hosted a dinner to celebrate the work of St John Ambulance at Windsor Castle.
Their Royal Highnesses are Commandant-in-Chief (Youth), Grand Prior of the Order of St John and Grand President of St John Ambulance respectively.
Thursday 19 May
The Queen received the Bishop of Salisbury (the Right Reverend Stephen Lake) via video link who did homage upon his appointment.
On the final day of their tour, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall travelled to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories.
Their Royal Highnesses first visited the Dettah Community, where they were welcomed by the two Chiefs for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Premier of the Northwest Territories, and representatives from the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders.
Throughout the day, The Prince and Duchess visited Dettah’s Kaw Tay Whee Community School, the Canadian Rangers at Fred Henne Territorial Park and the YWCA transitional housing centre.
They also visited Prince of Wales Heritage Centre, which was originally opened by The Prince in 1979, and acquires and manages objects and archival materials that represent the cultures and history of the Northwest Territories (NWT).
The tour finished with a Platinum Jubilee Ceremony at Ceremonial Circle. Read the full details of their tour here.
The President of the Republic of Colombia called upon The Duke of Cambridge.
The meeting followed Colombia signing the Buckingham Palace Declaration last month, becoming the first country to join United for Wildlife. Signed on Earth Day, this represents a commitment from the country to take affirmative steps to tackle the Illegal Wildlife Trade through a combination of policy and wider cooperation nationally, regionally and internationally.
As Patron of the Chartered Management Institute, The Countess of Wessex attended the CMI Women Conference.
Her Royal Highness spoke to Dr Heather Melville, CMI Women’s Chair, about how the workplace has adapted since the pandemic, and the importance of empowering women throughout their careers.
The Duchess of Gloucester, Protector, the Anglo-Danish Society’s Scholarship Programme, attended a Reception at the Residence of the Danish Ambassador in London.
The line-up was also revealed for the Platinum Party at the Palace.
Friday 20 May
The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, held two further receptions in the garden of Buckingham Palace for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in the Award.
The Princess Royal attended the Decommissioning Ceremony of HMS TALENT and HMS TRENCHANT.
