I know you live in the UK diarist so that helps, but how do you get so lucky being able to attend all these Royal events?
Yes, roseroyal, I am lucky - or, probably, more accurately,
fortunate as well as lucky!
To answer your question, at the moment, here in England is is the HEIGHT of 'The Season' [now more accurately the English Summer Season]. The members of my family - parents/ grandparents/ great-grandparents- and generations before that have always participated in this period of frenetic ativity that starts in April and ends at the end of this month. Bascially, then, it's just a family tradition that I am following. It is sometimes known as 'The London Season' because its events are based either in London or a short drive from the Capital.
Most countries seem to have 'seasons' of some sort - in short, a time in the calendar when it's 'fashionable' to be in a certain area at a certain time and where so-called 'Society' tends to gather. Palm Beach in Florida from January immediately comes to mind, and whenever there is a 'Season', parties and events tend to spring up!
Here in England, our summer 'season' is actually derived from the way the royal 'Court' use to move around. In May, June and July, the Monarch historically used to be in London, and so fashionable Society used to gather in London, Courts were held at which people could attend to pay their respects to their majesties and present their daughters etc etc. And so events used to 'spring up' to entertain fashionable Society when in London. Now, of course, Courts have ended, but the programme of events remains, and - which of course is a HUGE distinction between England and the USA - the Royal Family participate in the events.
Which is how, when I am lucky enought to be present at an event, there is a good chance a member of the Royal Family will 'show up'. Let me give you a few examples - although before doing so, let me make one very important point - 'showing up' at an event is possible for most people here in the UK - anyone who can afford the entrance fee can just pay and then turn up - you are not barred entry [athough to attend the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot there is a strict formal entry proceedure - although anyone can just turn up and buy tickets for the rest of the racecourse].
With Hampton Court Flower Show, you can just pay your money and go along. Tuesday is 'Members' Day for members of the Royal Horticultural Society. I am a member and so went on Memebers' day. The Duchess of Cornwall attended the Flower Show last year, and so there was a fair chance she would turn up on Tuesday. Which she did. Where I was very lucky lay in the fact that when the DofC turned up at the formal RHS exhibits, after seeing her (for interest's sake) I then turned round and headed in the opposite direction to the Rose Tent, because I thought that it would be less crowded [as everyone else was looking at Camilla...] Except, to my great good luck, the DofC decided that she wanted to look at ....The Rose Tent, and so she then rapidly turned round and in effect followed your humble Diarist....! So I was lucky enough to see Camilla at very close quarters and see what she was doing.
June in the British Summer Season tends to be heavy with Ceremonial - The Birthday Parade, Beating Retreat, The Garter Ceremony, Formal Carriage Procession at Royal Ascot etc etc. July tend to be slightly more informal - Wimbledon [lots of Royals in the Royal Box and I was lucky enough to get a centre court ticket because a great uncle has a Wimbeldon Debenture and two free tickets a day.....] Hampton Court Flower show [DofC - see above]. It was the British Grand Prix [motor racing] at the weekend - it is held at Silverstone, two hours from London but is still regarded as part of the English Summer Season. I adore motor sport - my father was an excellent amateur gentleman driver in the 1950's. Prince Micheal of Kent is president of the Royal Automobile Club, The Duke of Kent is president of the British Racing Drivers' Association, Princess Diana brought William and Harry to the GP when they were younger, Peter Phillips worked for a Formula One team at one stage and so was at the British Grand Prix each year at one point and so in other words as it is an event with close royal connections, there was a fair chance that Diarist would see a Royal or two - and over the event I did indeed see a bumper crop - Prince Michael, the Duke of Kent, Prince Harry... not bad!
This week is the climax of the British Open Polo Championship [the famous 'Gold Cup'] held at famous Cowdray Park, [ about an hour's drive from London]. Lord Cowdray was part of the Ibiza Crowd in his youth, at the same time as Fergie [part of the Paddy NcNally crowd] used to hang out there in the summer. So I reckon there is a fair chance of Sarah and /or Beatrice and/or Eugenie going to be there during the final matches next weekend. I have been going to polo at Cowdray Park for years and years and years and I never miss the Gold Cup and so I am going this weekend because I love Polo. But there is a chance that some Royals might be there too........
Do you see what I mean? It is not really 'luck' that I get to see the Royals, it is more a case of being fortunate enough to participate in many of the events of the English Summer Season.
Hope this answers your question,
Alex
[If anyone wants more details of the Season, let me know and I will post a new thread]