On the morning of May 8, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh attended, per tradition, the State Opening of Parliament at the palace of Westminster in London. For the first time in 17 years His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales attended today’s event — major historical significance here, people — and for the first time Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall was present.
Per tradition Her Majesty gave a speech — written by the Government and approved by the Cabinet — highlighting the government’s program for the year ahead. After the speech, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh along with Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall left the House of Lords. Then there after members of Parliament had a lively debate regarding the government’s program for — you guessed it — the year ahead.
For details about Her Majesty’s speech please click the links below:
On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a reception at St. James’s Palace for “…various members of the British Caribbean communities from the world of business, politics, sport, entertainment, charity and the media.”
During last evening’s event the royal couple and their guests “… watched a performance by the London Community Gospel Choir and the Pimlico Academy Steel Band…” according to the official website for The Prince of Wales.
On May 7, 2013, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex was at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to attend the “…Bevin Boys Memorial Dedication Service.” Click hereto watch another video as well as to read an article from the Telegraph newspaper.
Meanwhile in Swindon, Wiltshire, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal opened the new “..£3.5 million Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) independent hospital, Chalkdown House…” For more information about Chalkdown House and to read an article from the BBC News about today’s opening please click hereandhere.
On May 7, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh attended the rededication of the newly restored Temple Church Organ at the Temple Church in London.
In other news, Buckingham Palace has announced that Her Majesty will not attend the upcoming Commonwealth biennial meeting in Sri Lanka later this year. Instead, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will represent Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II when leaders of the 54 commonwealth nations will gather in Sri Lanka on November 15-17, 2013.
For more information about this latest news please click here. Or, you can watch a news report below.
On May 6, 2013, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, as patron of the British Equestrian Federation, presented awards during the Badminton Horse Trials in Badminton, Gloucestershire, England.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales visited Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset this afternoon to “…view an exhibition documenting the development of Poundbury over the past 20 years” according to the official website for the prince.
Afterward, the prince attended a reception where he mingled with locals and cuddled cute babies. The Prince of Wales also visited Cambridge Court where he unveiled a nice shiny new plaque “….marking the building’s official opening…”
For more information about today’s activities please click hereandhere.
On May 2, 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh visited the “…Headley Court military rehabilitation center…” in Surrey. During the visit Her Majesty and the duke toured the Waterloo gym, opened newly restored the Peter Long Unit, met with staff, patients and members of the British Armed Forces.
For more information about today’s visit please click hereandhere.
