A Typical Year in the Royal Calendar Part II
Like most of the world, The Royal Family has made drastic changes to their annual calendar this year in response to COVID-19. Many of the annual events that the royals and fans alike look forward to have been postponed or cancelled for 2020. While these events will hopefully be able to go on in 2021 as normal, here is a look at the royals calendar of events, both official and unofficial, for the second half of the year.
Holyrood Week
Also known as Royal Week in Scotland, Holyrood Week is a celebration of Scottish culture that takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. Holyrood week begins with the Lord Provost offering the keys to the city to Her Majesty on the forecourt of Holyrood Palace.
Throughout the week the Queen attends a number of engagements that celebrate Scottish culture and the work being done in the community. In addition to these engagements Queen Elizabeth hosts an investiture and a Garden Party throughout the week in recognition of those making significant contributions to their community.
BGC Charity Day
BGC Charity Day is an annual event to commemorate the 658 friends and colleagues of BGC Partners and Cantor Fitzgerald and the 61 Eurobroker employees who tragically died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Taking place each year on the anniversary of the attack, 100% of global revenue is given to the Cantor Fitzgerald relief fund and dozens of charities around the world. Many members of the Royal Family have helped close deals and joined in the celebration of charity day including Prince William, Prince Harry, The Duchess of Sussex, The Countess of Wessex and even Philippa Matthews.
Field of Remembrance
The Poppy Factory, of which the Duchess of Cornwall is patron, organizes the Field of Remembrance each year in Westminster London ahead of Remembrance Day. For eight days the lawn between Westminster Abbey and The Houses of Parliament is marked with 250 plots for regimental and armed services associations. Members of the Royal Family typically lay a remembrance cross (there are tokens of every faith now) and a remembrance poppy for those who have died in battle.
Festival of Remembrance
The days leading up to Remembrance day are typically busy for the Royal Family as most working members attend some tribute or service ahead of 11th November (Remembrance Day). Most senior royals appear at Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. The Festival pays homage to those who lost their lives in battle and serves as a reminder that their sacrifice was not made in vain as they died fighting for the values of a country they loved.
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday takes place each year on the second sunday of November. The Royal Family attends Service at the Cenotaph where they lay wreaths in honor of different regiments. The service include hymns, songs from military bands and a two minute moment of silence for those who have lost their lives in all conflicts from World War I. Following the service thousands of veterans walk past the cenotaph (meaning "empty tomb") to pay tribute to the fallen.
Royal Variety Performance
Different senior members from the Royal Family attend the Royal Variety performance each year. The Royal Variety performance is an annually televised event held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity each November. It typically consists of comedy, music, dance, magic and other specialty acts. The Queen is life-patron of the Royal Variety Charity which helps to support those who have served in the entertainment industry and find themselves sick, impoverished or elderly.
Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace
The annual Diplomatic Reception is a white tie event held at Buckingham Palace in early December. The reception is attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps based in London who support the work of the royal family both at home and abroad. While it is a private event the palace has released photos from the even to the public. The Diplomatic Reception is one of the few events where members of the Royal Family wear honours and tiaras, making it a very exciting event for fashion lovers.
Christmas Day Service at Sandringham
As the monarch is "defender of the faith" we often see members of the Royal Family coming to and from church services. Christmas Day is one of the most important days on the Christian calendar as it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The Royal Family attend an annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham where members of the public line the roads to see the royal family and wish them Merry Christmas.
It is not a required royal event, but an important family celebration. Most of the family turns up each year, though younger generations do sometimes skip royal Christmas in order to be with their spouses family. Following church, they meet members of the public who often bring gifts or flowers for them.
Queens Christmas Speech
Following Church service, the family then gathers to watch the Queen's annual Christmas Speech. The Queen has addressed the nation each Christmas for over 60 years and her message of reflection and hope has become part of many families Christmas Day celebratory traditions. The speech is prerecorded and airs on Christmas Day each year. The Royal Family are said to gather to watch it together.
There are several other events that are regular occurrences on the Royal Calendar but do not necessarily occur annually or during any certain period of the year but are nonetheless attended frequently by members of the Royal Family for both personal and professional reasons.
State Visits
There are typically one or two state visits each year made by foreign heads of states. The visits typically last a few days with several events to honor the friendships between nations. State visits can include special afternoon teas, parades, lunches and audiences. All State Visits end with a State Dinner hosted at Buckingham Palace by the Queen. State Dinners are white tie events that typically feature speeches from both the Queen and the visiting head of State.
Investitures
Investitures are held throughout the year at various Royal Residences, though most of them take place at Buckingham Palace. An investiture is a ceremony where the Queen or other member of the Royal Family bestows an honor upon a recipient who has contributed greatly to their various fields.
Audiences
The Queen holds a weekly audience with the Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace in order to stay up-to-date on what is occurring in her government. The Queen also holds Diplomatic Audiences with visiting dignitaries or newly appointed ambassadors in state or semi-state rooms at Buckingham Palace.
Weddings
The Royal Family is well known for their ability to hold lavish and enviable weddings. While they do not necessarily take place each year, weddings for either senior royals or the royals extended family are always exciting events for royal watchers. There are several wedding customs that are unique to the royal family including the use of Welsh gold in wedding bands and carriage processions following the ceremony.
Christenings
Another exciting royal event is welcoming a new member into the family. A royal baby's Christening is an important milestone in their life in the Church of England. While Christenings are typically private events, the Royal Family usually release photos taken afterwards to the public.