Wednesday 2 April 2014

Royal round up, week ending March 29th 2014

A round up of all the news from Europe's royal houses for the week ending March 29th 2014...


Belgium


King Philippe welcomed the US President, Barack Obama, to Belgium this week on a two day visit. The Belgian king greeted the President at the airport on March 25th 2014 while the monarchy's official Twitter feed shared several photos of the arrival.


One of the Twitpics shared by the Belgian monarchy as King Philippe welcomed President Barack Obama to Brussels on March 25th 2014

On the following day, March 26th 2014, King Philippe and President Obama went to Flanders Field Cemetery in Waregum where they both laid wreaths and paid tribute to those who died in World War One as well as speaking about the importance of peace.


King Philippe of the Belgians and President Barack Obama lay wreaths at Flanders Field Cemetery on March 26th 2014

Later that day, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde accompanied President Obama to the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels where the US President made a speech before ending his two day trip.


Another Twitpic from the Belgian Monarchy, this time showing the king and queen watching President Obama speaking at the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) on March 26th 2014

Earlier in the week, the king and queen had postponed their planned one day visit to Spain after the death of former Spanish Prime Minister, Adolfo Suarez, meant that King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia would undertake three days of official mourning.  King Philippe held several audiences on March 24th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Brussels, firstly with Budget Minister, Olivier Chastel, and then with Didier Reynders, the Deputy Prime Minister.  On March 27th 2014, King Philippe held an audience with his Aide de Camp, Lieutenant General Jean Marie Jockin.  On the same day, and again at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Queen Mathilde received the annual report on poverty in Belgium - the Federal Directory.  This year's edition outlined how the recent economic climate has influenced levels of poverty in the country.


Queen Mathilde of the Belgians receives the Federal Directory looking at issues linked to poverty in Belgium at the Royal Palace in Brussels on March 27th 2014

Princess Astrid took part in a workshop on March 24th 2014 in Houthalen in Limbourg which discussed ways of tackling tuberculosis.  It was run by the organisation Action Damien and held on the World TB Day which is held every year on March 24th.  And at the beginning of the week it was confirmed that Prince Laurent was being treated in intensive care for pneumonia.  


The Netherlands

The Dutch Royal Family hosted the President of China, Xi Jinping, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on a two day state visit beginning on March 22nd 2014.  King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima welcomed the President and his wife at Schipol Airport at the start of their visit and accompanied them to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam where they held an audience, also attended by Princess Beatrix.


King Willem-Alexander and the President of China at Schipol Airport on March 22nd 2014

In the evening, the king and queen along with the princess attended a state banquet give in honour of the President and his wife.


Princess Beatrix joins the King and Queen of the Netherlands at a state banquet for Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on March 22nd 2014

On March 23rd 2014, the Dutch king accompanied the President of China to an economic forum in Noordwijk which involved around 200 Chinese and 200 Dutch companies.  Later, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and Xi Jinping along with Peng Liyuan went to Keukenhof Castle where they saw a presentation on technology in food production.  Peng Liyuan also renamed a tulip at a special ceremony at the castle.  The royal couple took their leave of their guests with a special lunch - the Chinese President and his wife went on to a further day of engagements and meetings on March 24th 2014.  


Queen Maxima of the Netherlands watches as Peng Liyuan renames a tulip during the state visit she made with her husband, Xi Jinping, on March 22nd and 23rd 2014

The Nuclear Security Summit was held in the Netherlands during the week and on March 23rd 2014, King Willem-Alexander held a series of audiences on the fringes of the summit meeting President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and later President Gul of Turkey.  On March 24th 2014, he held an audience with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper.


King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, during their audience on March 24th 2014

On March 24th 2014, the Dutch king was joined by Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix as he hosted a lunch for the President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.


The Dutch Royal Family meeting the President of South Korea before their lunch on March 24th 2014

Later the same day, the king and queen greeted the world leaders and statespeople in The Hague for the Nuclear Security Summit ahead of a dinner they gave at the Huis den Bosch Palace.  Among those attending were British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and President of the United States, Barack Obama.


President Barack Obama of the United States with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they met ahead of a dinner for leaders attending the Nuclear Security Summit on March 24th 2014

On March 25th 2014, King Willem-Alexander held an audience with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.  


The King of the Netherlands and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at their audience on March 25th 2014

On March 26th 2014, King Willem-Alexander visited the Chancellery of Dutch Honours in The Hague. The Chancellery is responsible for offering advice on the awarding of all Dutch Royal Honours and issuing and registering them.  On March 28th 2014, the king held farewell audiences at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague with the ambassadors from Peru and Macedonia.  He ended his week by visiting the Constitutional Festival in The Hague, part of the celebrations throughout the year for the 200th anniversary of the Dutch constitution.


King Willem-Alexander views the original version of the Dutch Constitution at a festival to celebrate its 200th anniversary on March 29th 2014

Queen Maxima visited a music project for young people in Eindhoven Air Base on March 26th 2014. The event called 'Young Musicians Spread Their Wings' involved workshops run by musicians from the Royal Air Force.  On March 27th 2014 the queen received a new finance programme for the years 2014 - 1018 which focused on responsible behaviour in the Netherlands.  The Strategic Programme was put together by representatives from a wide range of fields including the financial industry, education and science.


Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with some of the 250 young people who took part in a music event at Eindhoven Air Base on march 26th 2014

Later the same day, Queen Maxima attended celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of ROC Central Netherlands which is a major provider of vocational training and education in Utrecht.  Also on March 27th 2014, the queen delivered the opening speech at the fourth Morning Star Investment Conference in Amsterdam in her role - Queen Maxima is a special advocate of the UN Secrertary-General for inclusive finance.  


Queen Maxima of the Netherlands delivering a speech in Amsterdam on March 27th 2014

On Marhc 27th 2014, Princess Beatrix attended the Prince Claus Concert in Groningen.  The concert, organised by the Conservatoire at Groningen University which is named after the princess' late husband, included a new piece of music composed in his honour.


Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands at a concert given in honour of her late husband, Prince Claus, on Marc 27th 2014

On March 26th 2014, the king's aunt, Margriet, opened the newly renovated town hall in Velsen.  The building is designed to combine modern sustainable design with the traditional architecture of the town. Princess Margriet first opened the town hall in Velsen in 1965.


Princess Margriet at the opening of the renovated town hall in Velsen on March 26th 2014


Spain


The Spanish Royal House went into three days of mourning at the beginning of the week following the death of the former Spanish Prime Minister, Adolfo Suarez.  King Juan Carlos appeared on television on March 23rd 2014 -  less than an hour after the politician's death - to praise his commitment and loyalty to Spain.


King Juan Carlos of Spain in his televised tribute to Adolfo Suarez which was broadcast on March 23rd 2014 from the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid

The following day, March 24th 2014, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, along with the Infanta Elena, paid their personal tributes to Adolfo Suarez as his body lay in state in the Congress of Deputies in Madrid.  They left wreaths and the king awarded the former Prime Minister the Collar of King Carlos III posthumously.  


King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, with the Infanta Elena, pay their respects to Adolfo Suarez on March 24th 2014

The Prince and Princess of Asturias paid their tributes later in the day after returning from Bilbao where they had attended the funeral of the mayor, Inaki Azkuna, on March 24th 2014.


Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia offer their condolences to the son of Inaki Azkuna, mayor of Bilbao, whose funeral they attended on March 24th 2014

Queen Sofia resumed her agenda on March 27th 2014 when she launched an initiative aimed at getting people in Spain to talk more about Alzheimer's Disease.  The project, supported by the Queen Sofia Foundation, also aims to raise funds for research into the condition and was given its official start at a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace.  The queen dedicated the project to Adolfo Suarez who had had Alzheimer's.


Queen Sofia launches a new project to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Disease in Madrid on March 27th 2014

On March 28th 2014, Queen Sofia opened an exhibition on Arabaic calligraphy at the House of America in Madrid.  She was accompanied by her sister, Princess Irene of Greece.


Queen Sofia at the opening of an exhibition on Arabic calligraphy which she opened on March 28th 2014

The Prince of Asturias held an audience on March 27th 2014 at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid for a group of students from Stamford Business School in America.  The students are visiting Spain to find out more about life in the country.


Prince Felipe with the students of Stamford Business School during their audience on March 27th 2014

Later the same day, the prince presented the National Young Entrepreneur Prize at the Hotel Magna in Madrid. He was accompanied by the Princess of Asturias who chose a fake bob hairstyle for the occasion.


Princess Letizia tries a new hairstyle at an awards ceremony on March 27th 2014


Norway

Harald V began his week by holding a reception at the Royal Palace in Oslo on March 24th 2014 for recipients of the King's Medal of Merit  - Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was also there.  On March 25th 2014, the King and Queen of Norway attended the funeral of artist Kjell Nupen.  He died on March 21st 2014 at the age of 58.


King Harald of Norway greets some of Kjell Nupen's family as he attended the artist's funeral on March 25th 2014

On March 27th 2014, King Harald and his sister, Princess Astrid, hosted a lunch at the Royal Palace in Oslo for the Crown Princess Martha Fund.  The fund, which was originally set up by their mother Crown Princess Martha in her lifetime, provides financial support for social and humanitarian initiatives carried out by non-governmental organisations.  Earlier in the same day, Princess Astrid attended a meeting of the Fund at the Royal Palace.


Princess Astrid is the chair of the Crown Princess Martha Memorial Fund and hosted a lunch for the organisation alongside King Harald on March 25th 2014

On March 28th 2014, King Harald held a Council of State at the Royal Palace in Oslo with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus also in attendance.  On March 29th 2014, the king attended the Norwegian Skiing Championships at Gala 28.


King Harald of Norway attending his country's skiing championships on March 29th 2014

The king also held several audiences throughout the week at the Royal Palace in Oslo.  On March 24th 2014, he met the Chief of the Naval Staff with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus also present.  Later the same day, King Harald presented Halvor Stenstadvold with the Order of St Olav at an audience.  On March 27th 2014 Crown Prince Haakon Magnus joined his father at an audience with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The day before, the Crown Prince had visited the company Eco-1 Bioenergi at their offices in Hamar in Oslo.  The firm works in the field of biofuel and renewable energy.  Also on March 26th 2014, Prince Haakon Magnus attended a meeting of the main committee for the Youth Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer where the games will be held in 2016.


Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway during his visit to Eco-1 Bioenergi on March 26th 2014

Crown Princess Mette-Marit visited the Vibro and Global Shapers' film project, called 'Nw Role Models', in Oslo on March 25th 2014.  And on March 26th 2014, the princess opened the 74th Norwegian Library Conference in Trondheim.  Later the same day Princess Mette-Marit visited a project in Trondheim working with young people who have broken the law.  The Conflict Council aims to help past offenders turn their lives around.


Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway at the Library Conference she opened on March 26th 2014


Denmark


Queen Margrethe II of Denmark opened the House of Music in Gauteng in North Jutland.  During her visit to the building, which was begun in 2010, the queen heard a concert.   


Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, seen here at New Year, was in North Jutland this week to open the House of Music 

Crown Princess Mary attended a meeting of the United Nations Development Fund, UNFPA, in Copenhagen on March 24th 2014.  And on March 26th 2014, the princess was in Billund where she helped pack rucksacks being distributed by her Mary Foundation.  The backpacks, which contain toys including LEGO, are given to children arriving at the women's shelters that are run by the foundation - around 2,500 children have to use the shelters every year. The princess went on to visit the Interational School of Billund.


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark packing rucksacks in Billund on March 26th 2014

Prince Joachim visited Greenland for three days, arriving on March 25th 2014.  The prince spent time with Arctic Command and also attended a board meeting of the Royal Greenlandic Fund.


Prince Joachim of Denmark finds out about daily life on the Arctic Command from Lieutenant Rasmus Rohde during the royal visit to Greenland between March 25th and 27th 2014



Sweden


King Cal XVI Gustaf began his week by holding an audience at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on March 24th 2014 with the new Secretary General of the Boys Scouts Movement, Catherine Hedberg.  


The King of Sweden with Catherine Hedberg at their audience on March 24th 2014

Later the same day, the king visited Exeger Sweden, a solar energy company based in Stockholm, where he opened some new facilities looking at next generation solar cells.


King Carl XVI Gustaf opens the new facilities at Exeger Sweden on March 24th 2014

On March 25th 2014, the king held farewell audiences for the outgoing ambassadors from Russia and Morocco at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.  Later the same day, the king welcomed members of the Swedish Baden Powell Fellowship to the Louisa Ulrika Dining Rooms at the Palace for a meeting.  The Fellowship is made up of people who donate money to the scouting movement.


King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during the meeting of the Baden Powell Fellowship at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on March 25th 2014

On March 25th, also at the Royal Palace, Queen Silvia bought the first cornflower in the annual Mayflower campaign which starts in Sweden on April 8th this year.  The queen traditionally buys the first flower in the campaign which is run by the charity, Mayflower, to raise money to improve conditions and try to end poverty for children in Sweden.  Queen Silvia is its patron.


Queen Silvia of Sweden with Oumo Bayo and Ruben Soderlund, the school children who sold her the first flower of the annual fundraising campaign when they visited the Royal Palace in Stockholm on March 25th 2014

On March 26th 2014, the King and Queen of Sweden began a two day visit to Latvia.  The royal couple arrived in the capital, Riga, in the morning and held a private audience with the Latvian President, Andris BÄ“rziņš and his wife, Dace Seisuma.


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia exchange gifts with the President of Latvia and his wife at the start of the Swedish monarchs' two day tour of Latvia

The king and the president then attended a business meeting involving delegations from Sweden and Latvia and then held a press conference while Queen Silvia and the First Lady visited the National Opera in Riga.  


Queen Silvia of Sweden and the First Lady of Latvia, Dace Seisuma, at the National Opera in Riga on March 26th 2014

The two couples then visited the Freedom Monument in Riga to lay wreaths - the monument remembers all those who died in the Latvian War of Independence.  The king and queen then visited the Occupation Museum which examines life in Latvia during the Nazi occupation of 1941 -1945 and the Soviet occupation from 1945 - 1991.  


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Freedom Monument in Riga on March 26th 2014

Queen Silvia then visited the Latvian Institute which promotes the country and which is modelled on the Swedish Institute.  The king went to the Latvian Parliament.  After lunch, Queen Silvia visited the City Hall in Riga while King Carl XVI Gustaf went to the Swedish Latvian Business Forum which discussed co-operation between the two countries.  The king was then given a demonstration of the world's first electric powered off road rally car powered by electric which was created in Latvia in 2003.


King Carl XVI Gustaf sees an example of an electric powered off road rally car during his visit to Latvia on March 26th 2014

Later in the afternoon, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the Latvian Lutheran-Evangelical Assembly and the Latvian National Library before spending time at the Swedish Embassy in Riga. In the evening, the king and queen attended a dinner given in their honour by the President of Latvia.


The King and Queen of Sweden at their country's embassy in Riga during the first day of their visit to Latvia, March 26th 2014

On the second day of their visit, March 27th 2014, the king and queen began with a working breakfast where they heard from the Swedish business delegation travelling with them on the tour.   King Carl XVI Gustaf then held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma, while Queen Silvia visited Riga Stradins University to meets students and hear about the courses going on there.  


Queen Silvia of Sweden meets medical student, Magdalena Sheet, at Riga Stadins Unviersity on March 27th 2014

King Carl XI Gustaf went on to visit a water treatments work before spending time at a company called Plockmatic of Riga which specialises in finishing documents.  He went on to visit GroGlass which makes special anti-reflective coatings for glass some of which has been used at the Louvre in Paris.  Meanwhile, Queen Sivlia was at the art gallery, The Arsenal, where she heard about some of the cultural projects going on to mark Riga's Year as European Capital of Culture 2014 - a title it is sharing with Umea in Sweden.  The queen then held a working lunch with people working on the year of culture project.


Queen Silvia of Sweden hearing about some of the work going on as Riga is European Capital of Culture for 2014 along with Umea in Sweden

King Carl XVI Gustaf visited the army base in Adazi before having lunch with the Latvian Defence Minister, Raimonds Vejonis.  


The King of Sweden visits Adazi army base in Latvia on his tour of the country, March 27th 2014

Queen Silvia visited the Salvation Army in Riga in the afternoon where she heard about their work in Latvia and met some of the people they help.


Queen Silvia of Sweden has coffee with some of those being helped by the Salvation Army in Riga on March 27th 2014

Later in the afternoon, Queen Silvia attended a showing of the film 'Seven' about women's rights activists while King Carl XVI Gustaf visited the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga.  In the evening, the king and queen concluded their visit by offering a dinner in honour of the Latvian President at the Riga Bourse.


The King and Queen of Sweden with the business delegation that travelled with them on their two day tour of Latvia on March 26th and 27th 2014

On March 25th 2014 Crown Princess Victoria attended the launch of a book called 'The dark and unknown history' which traces the abuse of Travellers and the Roma community in Sweden in the 1900s.  The paper was launched at Norra Latin in Stockholm and its authors say they hope it will be a tribute to those who were victims of prejudice and help foster understanding in today's world.


Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden at the launch of a book about the history of the Roma and Traveller community in Sweden in the early 20th century 

On March 26th 2014 Crown Princess Victoria was at Brain Day in Stockholm.  The event, organised by the Brain Foundation, looks at brain health and the diseases associated with the brain. On March 27th 2014, the princess visited the nuclear power plant at Oskarshamn.


Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is given a tour of the nuclear power plant at Oskarshman on March 27th 2014

Prince Daniel began his week by visiting a school in Lulea in northern Sweden where he talked to students about the Fellowship which bears his name and which helps young people looking at starting up in business.  On March 27th 2014, the prince was again focusing on work opportunities for young people when he attended a workshop at Study Business and Policy in Stockholm.  Prince Daniel heard about a new report looking at conditions to make it easier to bring in more apprenticeships in Sweden.


Prince Daniel of Sweden hears about apprenticeships at a workshop in Stockholm he attended on March 27th 2014


Monaco


On March 27th 2014, Prince Albert of Monaco visited the 9th annual EVER event in Monaco which focuses on eco friendly vehicles and renewable energy.


Prince Albert of Monaco at the EVER event for eco friendly vehicles in Monaco on March 27th 2014

On March 25th 2014, Princess Charlene had hosted children from Japan who were visiting Monaco.  The children were all affected by the tsunami and its impact on the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station in 2011 and were in Monaco as part of an initiative called the Travelling Whale Association.  They met the princess and presented flowers to people who had helped them and their country after the disasters.


Princess Charlene of Monaco with children from Fukushima affected by the tsunami in 2011 - they met on March 25th 2014

On March 28th 2014, Princess Charlene opened the swimming competition which bears her name at the Louis II stadium in Monaco.  The event is organised by the Special Olympics Committee.


Princess Charlene of Monaco opens the swimming competition named in her honour at the Louis II stadium on March 28th 2014

On March 29th 2014, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene led the royals at the annual Bal de Rose in Monte Carlo which this year had a Russian theme.  Princess Caroline and her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, were present as was Pierre Casiraghi and his girlfriend, Beatrice Borromeo.


Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the Bal de Rose with Princess Caroline, Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo on march 29th 2014




United Kingdom


The Queen held a series of audiences on March 25th 2014 at Buckingham Palace and in the evening, along with the Duke of Edinburgh, gave a reception for the Irish community in the United Kingdom ahead of the State Visit by the President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, which begins on April 8th 2014.  Among the guests were Niall Horan of One Direction and X Factor judge, Louis Walsh.


The Queen meets Niall Horan of One Direction at a reception at Buckingham Palace on March 25th 2014

On March 26th 2014, Elizabeth II held audiences at Buckingham Palace with the new ambassadors from Niger and Malaysia and received their letters of credentials.  The Queen then later held an audience with Douglas Dunn and presented him with the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry with the Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, also in attendance.  Later that day the Queen held her regular audience with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron.


Elizabeth II presents Douglas Dunn with the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry on March 26th 2014

On Mach 27th 2014, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a reception to mark the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Watermen at Watermen's Hall in the City of London.  Later the same day, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Lloyds of London where they toured the buildings and attended a lunch.  On March 28th 2014, the Queen held an investiture at Buckingham Palace.


The Queen during her visit to Lloyds of London on March 27th 2014

On March 24th 2014, the Duke of Edinburgh attended a reception at Buckingham Palace in his role as patron of the Commonwealth Study Conference - it was hosted by his daughter, the Princess Royal.  On March 26th, Prince Philip opened the new headquarters of the Royal College of General Practitioners in London - he is their patron.  In the evening, the prince attended a dinner given by the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers in his role as an Honorary Member.


The Duke of Edinbirgh is photographed alongside the Queen at the reception for the Royal Watermen they attended on March 25th 2014

On March 24th 2014, the Prince of Wales held a reception at Clarence House for the Haven of which he is patron.  On March 25th 2014, the prince held a series of audiences at Clarence House and also attended a meeting on the Illegal Wildlife Trade in London.  On March 26th 2014, Prince Charles was in Surrey where he visited Ham Close which is being modernised with the help of his Prince's Foundation for Building Community.  He later attended a meeting about the project at the local library.  He went on to attend the Housing London Symposium Meeting and went on to a reception in London.  He ended his day by visiting the Ideal Home Exhibition in London, again to talk about his work with his Foundation for Building Community.


The Prince of Wales visits Ham Close in Richmond in Surrey which one of his charities is helping to rejuvenate - he was there on March 26th 2014

On March 27th 2014, the prince chaired a meeting of the Royal Collection Trust at Clarence House - he is their chairman.  In the evening the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall gave a reception at Clarence House to mark the launch of the Highgrove Garden Book.  On March 28th 2014, the royal couple visited the Edible Garden Show at Alexandra Palace in London.  


The Duchess of Cornwall at the Edible Garden Show in London on March 28th 2014

On March 26th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall visited East Sussex where she opened the new building at St Wilfred's Hospice in Eastbourne.  Later the duchess opened the United Kingdom Wine Research Centre at Plumpton College - she is patron of the Charitable Foundation there. The Duchess of Cornwall went on to open the Ditching Museum of Art and Craft of which she is patron.  Her last engagement of the day was a visit to Buckhurst Park in Hatfield.  


The Duchess of Cornwall meets Ray Boyland and his wife, Lyn, during her visit to St Wilfred's Hospice on March 26th 2014

The Duke of York attended a boot camp for his Pitch at the Palace project on March 25th 2014.  It aims to encourage young people into business.  On March 27th 2014, Prince Andrew was in Scotland where he took the salute at the disbandment parade of 12 and 617 Squadrons at Royal Air Force Lossiemouth.  The Duke of York went on to open a new sports pavilion at Hopeman in Moray.  The Earl and Countess of Wessex spent two days on the Isle of Wight where they carried out a string of engagements.  On their first day - March 27th 2014 - the countess visited a primary school and the Isle of Wight Food Bank while the earl visited several projects linked to the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  The couple attended a dinner in the evening.  On March 28th 2014, the earl and countess visited St Mildred's Church, Whippingham, and the Queensgate Foundation Primary School before ending their stay on the island with a visit to Osborne House.


The Earl and Countess of Wessex during their visit to the Isle of Wight on March 27th 2014

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