Tag Archives: Commonwealth of Nations

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Charles and Camilla In Malaysia, Day One

  November 3, 2017 at 8:24 pm by

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s autumn tour has moved on to Malaysia, with the couple spending their first full day of engagements there on Friday. Charles and Camilla spent the majority of the day undertaking individual engagements. The Prince first indulged in his passion for Islamic art and culture during a tour of the Islamic Arts Museum alongside Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Sultan of Perak; before visiting … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry Honour Young People From Across The Commonwealth

  June 29, 2017 at 6:03 pm by

At Buckingham Palace on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II presented the 2017 Queen’s Young Leaders with their awards to honour their exceptional community work. The winners are selected from across the Commonwealth, and must be aged between 18 and 29. Following the presentation in the Palace’s Throne Room, the Queen and the leaders were then joined by the Duke of York, Prince Harry and former Prime Minister Sir John Major for … Continue reading →

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British Royal Celebrate Commonwealth Day With Westminster Abbey Service

  March 13, 2017 at 4:23 pm by

Members of the British Royal Family were present at an inter-faith church service to celebrate Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey today. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh headed the royal contingent which included the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry, the Duke of York, and the Earl of Wessex, whom were all greeted by the Dean of Westminster upon their arrival. During the service readings and … Continue reading →

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Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Mark 100 Years Since The Loss of SS Mendi

  February 20, 2017 at 1:23 pm by

The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence on Monday attended a ceremony of remembrance at Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton marking the centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi during the First World War. In what is described as “one of the worst maritime disasters in British waters”, over 600 men – mostly members of the South African Native Labour Corps on their way to France to assist with the … Continue reading →

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The Cambridges On Tour: Canada, Day Three

  September 26, 2016 at 8:02 pm by

Day three of the Cambridge tour of Canada saw the couple head to the gorgeous Great Bear Rainforest with a stop in Bella Bella, where the weather definitely put the ‘rain’ in ‘rainforest’ (and caused a few itinerary changes!). Arriving to a traditional welcome by the region’s Heiltsuk First Nations community, the Duke and Duchess watched on for a number of cultural music and dance performances by local children. Then it was … Continue reading →

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Duchess of Cornwall Meets Military Wives, Honours Commonwealth Soldiers

  July 26, 2016 at 5:56 pm by

The Countess of Wessex was not the only royal in Brockenhurst today – the Duchess of Cornwall also paid a visit. Her engagements included a visit to St Nicholas’ Church where she laid a bouquet of flowers at the Commonwealth War Graves in the church cemetery. 100 graves – 93 New Zealander soldiers, 3 Indian soldiers and 3 Belgian civilians – lie in the New Zealand plot of the cemetery. The Duchess also … Continue reading →

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“The Example I Aspire To”: Prince Harry Praises His Grandmother At Young Leader’s Reception

  June 23, 2016 at 5:39 pm by

Prince Harry has called his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, “the example I aspire to and the standard by which I will judge my contribution” during a speech at the Queen’s Young Leaders award ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Prince Harry – @QueensLeaders award recognises what you have achieved, not for yourselves, but for your communities pic.twitter.com/xJYb59bxAK — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 23, 2016 “I – like millions of others across the world … Continue reading →

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The British Royals’ First Day in Malta

  November 26, 2015 at 7:45 pm by

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh have begun their visit to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. An official welcoming ceremony took place outside the San Anton Palace for the Queen and Prince Philip, presided over by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Over 100 well-wishers gathered outside to see the couple, who lived in Malta in the early years … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Welcomes Queen’s Young Leaders To Buckingham Palace

  June 22, 2015 at 5:30 pm by

Queen Elizabeth II today hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the first winners of her Queen’s Young Leaders program. The program has been designed to recognise the contribution of the Commonwealth’s young people, and was established by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. 60 individuals from around the Commonwealth were awarded for their community work during the reception, where Princess Beatrice, David Beckham and former Prime Minister Sir John … Continue reading →

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New Succession Rules Take Effect in Britain

  March 26, 2015 at 9:37 am by

The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 came into effect in the United Kingdom and its realms at midnight GMT today, March 26, after being ratified by all the Commonwealth realms. It means that males no longer take precedence over females, meaning that an elder daughter cannot be overtaken by a younger son. Marriage to Roman Catholics is now allowed while retaining rights to the throne (the monarch must be … Continue reading →

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British Royal Family at Commonwealth Day Service

  March 12, 2012 at 8:48 pm by

The British Royal Family today marked Commonwealth Day, which is held each year on the second Monday of March to celebrate the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II led the celebration at the multi-faith service held at Westminster Abbey. She was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Gloucester. The royal family all appeared to be … Continue reading →

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Commonwealth Visits to Mark Diamond Jubilee Year

  December 14, 2011 at 9:03 am by

Buckingham Palace today released details of next year’s Commonwealth visits, which shall be taking place in conjunction with HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh will not be undertaking any overseas trips, instead focusing on the United Kingdom region. They will visit Wales, Scotland, the Midlands and East Anglia, the four corners of England as well as London. These visits will take place … Continue reading →

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Cameron Proposes Changes to Succession

  October 17, 2011 at 11:42 pm by

The hot topic amongst British royal watchers going into this week is Prime Minister David Cameron’s October 12th reveal that he has proposed changes to 1701 Act of Succession, which determines the line of succession to the British throne. The proposed changes would install equal primogeniture into the line of succession – meaning that a first-born child would be heir, regardless of gender – and would abolish the Catholic clause, … Continue reading →

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Queen and Duke of Edinburgh Heading to Australia

  September 25, 2011 at 7:00 am by

Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh are set to undertake their sixteenth official visit to Australia in the tail end of October, as was announced by Buckingham Palace and the Australian Prime Minister’s office this week. The purpose of the visit is for the Queen to open the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will be held in Perth beginning on October 26th. The meeting will … Continue reading →

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New Zealand to Keep Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State

  April 21, 2010 at 2:06 pm by

Wednesday April 21st marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 84th birthday, and she got quite a present! In New Zealand, the MPs through out a referendum that was meant to abolish the monarchy. It was voted down 68 to 53 in its first read. Disgruntled republicans are pointing the finger at the Queen’s grandson, Prince William, because his visit to the country likely boosted interest in the royal family. “We think that’s … Continue reading →

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Jewels from Commonwealth on display at Buckingham Palace

  July 30, 2009 at 12:53 am by

The summer opening of Buckingham Palace this year includes a exhibition of royal gifts from the Commonwealth countries. Included are a number of brooches and a necklace that have been gifts during the royal tours of the Commonwealth countries in the last 60 years. One of the first gifts the Queen received on a Commonwealth tour was the Flame Lily Brooch from Rhodesia. During a 1947 tour with her parents … Continue reading →

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Knighthood for Sir Don McKinnon

  July 10, 2009 at 9:20 am by

HM Queen Elizabeth II today knighted former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his 2000-2008 (two terms) “outstanding” service as Secretary-General. Today is Commonwealth Day, a fitting day for his knighting. Sir Don McKinnon was also New Zealand’s longest serving Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is also a member … Continue reading →

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Republicanism in New Zealand

  May 8, 2009 at 6:48 pm by

The question of the relevance of monarchies is one which seems to be being asked more and more frequently these days. Just recently, an American magazine ran an article about the Danish Crown Prince Couple, in a similar vein. Many constitutional monarchies are questioning whether they should turn republic, and New Zealand has been one of these. New Zealanders don’t seem to be able to make up our minds – … Continue reading →

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Jewels on Display at Buckingham Palace

  April 9, 2009 at 6:29 pm by

The summer opening of Buckingham Palace this year includes a special exhibition to mark 60 years of the Commonwealth. Part of the exhibition will include a display of over 100 gifts given to the Queen and Prince Philip from their travels to the Commonwealth countries. Sometimes the Queen receives beautiful jewels as gifts which often have a symbolic reference to the country she is visiting. Two fantastic brooches will form … Continue reading →

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Commonwealth Day Observance

  March 9, 2009 at 11:03 pm by

9 March 2009: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip today attended a special service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth. In her Commonwealth Day message, the Queen emphasised the importance of young people to the Commonwealth, noting that one billion members of Commonwealth countries are under the age of 25. According to polls carried out in Britain, however, many young people do not … Continue reading →

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