The Earl of Wessex has had a particularly busy week, returning from Australia, attending various engagements related to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) and The Queen’s birthday concert.
On Monday (16th), Edward carried out engagements in Brisbane, including a reception at the Queensland Government Offices which were held in honour of young people who earned the Gold Standard Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Queen’s youngest son was there in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation; it is thought that Edward will be given the title of ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ when his brother ascends to the throne, as both he and his wife Sophie are heavily involved in the award programme.
The Earl also paid a visit to Brisbane Grammar School, which is celebrating it 150th anniversary. The school has a long history of royal visits; Prince Alfred visited in 1868, while Edward’s great-grandfather, King George V, was there with his brother in 1881. The Earl’s father, Prince Phillip, visited the school twice, once in 1968 (for its 100th anniversary) and again in 1977. Edward planted the school’s fourth ‘royal tree’, using the same spade as his father.
In the evening, the Earl then attended a dinner at Magill Estate.
HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO attending Brisbane Grammar School to promote The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Australia and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the school.#dukeofedaus pic.twitter.com/UP93A6FQxn
— Duke of Ed (@thedukeofed) 19 April 2018
On Tuesday, The Queen’s son had a full day of engagements in Adelaide, including a visit to Hoops 4 Life, which is partnered with The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Hoops 4 Life combines basketball and education to help young people access sports scholarships and apprenticeships.
Prince Edward then attended a World Fellows lunch at Seppeltsfield Winery, before heading to Twelve25 Salisbury Youth Enterprise Centre, which offers educational programmes to young people aged between 12 and 25. His penultimate day in Australia ended with a reception and dinner at Government House in Adelaide.
HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, visited Salisbury’s youth enterprise centre Twelve25 this afternoon, on behalf of the @DukeofEd. Twelve25, in partnership with @pghsadelaide runs a #DukeofEdinburgh‘s Award program every year. #DofEAustralia pic.twitter.com/pVRhxjaHUi
— City of Salisbury SA (@CityofSalisbury) 17 April 2018
On his final day in Australia (Wednesday 18th), The Earl of Wessex had various engagements, including a meeting with the Commissioner for Children and Young People at Wakefield House. Prince Edward then visited another school, this time Prince Alfred College, who are also celebrating their 150th anniversary. As well as a reception at Adelaide Town Hall, Edward visited Zoos South Australia to attend another reception for young people who earned a Gold Standard Duke of Edinburgh Award.
After arriving home from his fortnight in Australia, The Earl of Wessex had a quieter day on Thursday, although he was in attendance at the CHOGM state dinner held by The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in attendance at the CHOGM state dinner, hosted by The Queen
On Friday (19th), Edward participated in a CHOGM event, as he attended the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast Meeting; the Earl was there in his role as Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation. At the meeting, Edward was joined by various Heads of government, representatives from the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Baroness Scotland to discuss the development of sports throughout the 53 Commonwealth nations. The meeting was based on the CHOGM theme, ‘Towards a Common Future’.
The Earl of Wessex met with various Commonwealth representatives at the Commonwealth Games Federation Sports Breakfast Meeting (Royal Family)
The Earl of Wessex meets members of the England netball team who won gold at the Commonwealth Games (Royal Family)
The Earl also met competitors from the Commonwealth Games, including members of England’s gold-medal winning netball squad, whom he awarded medals at the games. As patron, Edward made opening remarks at the meeting, asking how the Commonwealth Games can be used to link Commonwealth citizens.
In the afternoon, Prince Edward attended the Commonwealth Canopy Initiative at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.
The Earl made some opening remarks at @thecgf breakfast.
Discussions today channelled #CHOGM2018‘s wider theme, ‘Towards a Common Future’ as Sport representatives from around the Commonwealth unite to tack common social challenges. pic.twitter.com/IUHJ59Ff1x
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) 20 April 2018
Last night, The Earl of Wessex was joined by his wife Sophie and daughter Louise at The Queen’s 92nd birthday concert, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall.
