Click for the image at the BBC website

 Today is one of the Days on which it is commanded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that the Union Flag be flown on all UK Government Buildings, Gun Salutes will be fired, at St. George’s Chapel and Westminster Abbey the bells will be rung and in the Abbey evensong will feature Byrd’s “O Lord Make thy servant Elizabeth our Queen”.

Click for the gallery at the British Monarchy website

These celebrations are all in honour of Coronation Day, fifty six years ago today, Elizabeth II was crowned amid much pomp and circumstance in the Collegiate Church of St. Peter’s Westminster (Westminster Abbey). Her Majesty dedicated herself to the service of the Nation and The Commonwealth before God and promised to uphold the Christian faith and the established Church. Read more…

RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Coronation, Elizabeth II, Protocol

 This morning The Queen will welcome The President of Mexico to The UK at the start of his State Visit. 

A state visit (especially where a Monarch is involved) is one of the most formal royal events, full of ceremonial and protocol

Queen Elizabeth II has maintained the traditions of the Edwardian Court and continues to entertain state visitors in a manner more suitable of the 1900’s. Nevertheless these great occasions are the highlight of the Royal year and continue to be a big news story.

A UK incoming state visit usually begins mid-week and is held in London or Windsor (very occasional Edinburgh) and begins with a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards or The Main Street in Windsor, carriage rides, guards of honour and national anthems all play a key role in these proceedings and a detailed programme is prepared by The Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Elizabeth II, Protocol, State Visit

 Next Thursday I am attending a Presentation of Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in St. James’s Palace, London as a member of Staff, I recently received my invitation card for the event so I decided to write the following blog on Royal invitations.

Invitations from Buckingham Palace are an exciting item of post which often the leaves the recipient confused and bewildered. It requires a precise form of reply and will led you on your way to wonderful experience with Her Majesty The Queen or one of the members of The Royal Family.

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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, Protocol

The Queen yesterday received two new Ambassadors to the United Kingdom from the Republic of Serbia and from Bosnia Herzegovina. As the Court Circular more formally referred to them, in diplomatic circles they are known as Ambassadors to the Court of St. James’s.

Click the image to see the Getty photo gallery

Diplomatic relations is a major ceremonial aspect of Her Majesty’s life. Letters of credence, letters of recall and the London Diplomatic List may seem far removed from our everyday lives, but in the international world they are a key aspect of how realms and republics interact with each other. It is traditional for new Ambassadors and High Commissioners to travel to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession shortly after their arrival in London; the new diplomat (dressed in formal attire – evening tails, morning coats or diplomatic court dress) then has an audience of The Queen when he or she presents a formal letter of credence from the sending Head of State which asks The Queen to accept the new Ambassador as their representative in London. Her Majesty always accepts and the new Ambassador is then considered an official member of the Corps Diplomatique.

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RoyalProtocol British Royals Ceremonial, Diplomatic Corps, Elizabeth II, Protocol