RoyalProtocol

The Swan Upping 2009

  July 21, 2009 at 6:30 am by

Yesterday Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Seigneur of the Swans, observed for the first time the Swan Upping from a launch on the River Thames. The Queen owns all unmarked mute swans in the United Kingdom, but today Her Majesty only exercises this right in the area of the Thames. Each year, in the third week of July, the annual swan census is carried out by Her Majesty’s Swan Marker … Continue reading →

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Coronation Day

  June 2, 2009 at 4:33 am by

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”. These celebrations are all in honour of Coronation Day, … Continue reading →

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By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

  May 27, 2009 at 7:41 am by

One often notices, when out shopping, that many items carry the Royal Coat of Arms and the legend “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen….” These companies are holders of a Royal Warrant to indicate that the Royal Household uses their produce; it is the greatest honour a UK business can have. From Smythson of Bond Street, Barbour and Fortnum & Mason to Heinz, Silver Spoon Sugar and McIlhenny Company … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, Seven Years On

  April 9, 2009 at 4:02 pm by

The Death of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother seven years ago did not come as a shock. Her late Majesty was in her 102nd year, and had been in declining health since the death of her younger daughter, Her late Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in February. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral took place seven years ago today amid much pomp and ceremony in one of the largest funerals … Continue reading →

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HM Queen Elizabeth II marks Maundy Thursday

  April 9, 2009 at 10:11 am by

Her Majesty The Queen today took part in one of the oldest of Royal ceremonies. The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, attended the Office of the Royal Maundy at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral. During the service Her Majesty distributed specially minted Maundy Money to 83 men and 83 women (83 being the years of The Queen’s age).These silver coins are gifts to the “poor” of the Dioceses as Her … Continue reading →

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Protocol of A State Visit

  March 30, 2009 at 4:53 am by

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 … Continue reading →

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Gold Award Presentations

  March 27, 2009 at 6:28 am by

Yesterday, I had the pleasant task of helping at Gold Award Presentations in St. Jamess Palace in London. The Morning Presentation was attended by His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness presented over 350 young people with their Gold Awards and spoke to them about their wonderful achievement. The Duke of Edinburgh was assisted in presenting the Awards by television and sporting world personalities and … Continue reading →

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Bowing and Curtseying

  March 23, 2009 at 5:44 am by

Meeting a member of any Royal Family can be a nerve wrecking experience for even the most seasoned Royal watcher. The questions of what to wear, say and do can be mind boggling and then there is the major question – should I bow / curtsey. In days gone by it was an obligatory act of deference to ones Sovereign, today it is optional. Buckingham Palace state only that many … Continue reading →

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The Royal Standard of HM Queen Elizabeth II

  March 22, 2009 at 5:58 pm by

The Queen’s presence is, by long tradition, marked by the flying of Her Majesty’s Royal Standard. This flag is flown over a building in which The Queen is present, from a ship in which Her Majesty is travelling, from the roof of The Queen’s official cars and from Royal Aircraft when on the Ground. The Royal Standard is not flown from ecclesiastical buildings, with the exception of Westminster Abbey which … Continue reading →

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Royal Invitations

  March 20, 2009 at 5:57 am by

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 … Continue reading →

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An Investiture at Buckingham Palace

  February 20, 2009 at 4:58 am by

Wednesday saw The Queen hold one of her favourite ceremonies: An investiture. The form has remained the same since at least the 1910s and is a delightful morning affair. The ceremony allows those who have received honours form the Crown to have them bestowed by the Sovereign of the Order, following the announcement of the honour in either the New Years list in January or The Queen’s Birthday Honours in … Continue reading →

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HM Queen Elizabeth II Receives Two New Ambassadors

  February 18, 2009 at 9:45 am by

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’. 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 … Continue reading →

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Accession of Elizabeth II (6 February 1952)

  February 7, 2009 at 3:23 am by

February 6th marks the 57th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to her Throne. The Accession of The British Sovereign is a rare and detailed procedure.”The King is dead, long live The King” may summarise the process but it is only the tip of the iceberg. While there is no interregnum and the crown passes immediately to the Late Sovereign’s Successor, there is a series of events and protocols to … Continue reading →

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Death of George VI (6 February 1952)

  February 7, 2009 at 1:49 am by

The death of King George VI came as something of a shock. While it was known that His Majesty was in poor health (he had half a lung removed the previous year as a result of cancer), it was not thought that his death was imminent. His Majesty had been seen a week earlier when he waved goodbye to The Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh as they departed … Continue reading →

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