The Royal Family

Queen Elizabeth II is presented with a pot of Cathedral Honey on a visit to Manchester Cathedral in 2021
Queen Elizabeth II with the
Dean of Manchester Cathedral
on a visit during the Summer of 2021

Members of the Royal Family support His Majesty The King in his many State and national duties, as well as carrying out important work in the areas of public and charitable service, and helping to strengthen national unity and stability.

Those who undertake official duties are members of The King’s close family.

Every year the Royal Family as a whole carries out over 2,000 official engagements throughout the UK and worldwide.

Contacting Members of The Royal Family

If you wish to contact His Majesty The King or other members of The Royal Family you will find how to do so here:
https://www.royal.uk/contact

Royal Visits

The Lord-Lieutenant is responsible for making all the arrangements for a Royal Visit to Greater Manchester by a member of the Royal Family. The Clerk to the Lieutenancy makes all the necessary planning arrangements directly with the Royal Household, the host organisation and the Police to ensure the visit is a success and is enjoyed by everyone involved.

The Lord-Lieutenant greets His Majesty The King as he arrives at Victoria Train Station for a visit to Greater Manchester in January 2023
The Lord-Lieutenant greets His Majesty The King on his first visit to Greater Manchester in January 2023
Photograph Courtesy of Chris Oldham
© All rights reserved Greater Manchester Police

A Royal Visit is a memorable occasion which honours the work and achievements of an organisation or community. It is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the different ways in which people have been involved in either a special piece of work or occasion.

These visits are an important part of the Royal Family’s role and are much valued by those organisations that are fortunate enough to receive such a visit. Many of the visits are connected to charities and other organisations with which members of the Royal Family are associated.

For further information about the charities or organisations they support please The Charities and Patronages page of the Royal Family website:
https://www.royal.uk/charities-and-patronages

Extending an invitation

Invitations to members of the Royal Family may be made in a number of ways.

Invitations may be extended through the Lord-Lieutenant and may be submitted to specific members of the Royal Family on an organisation’s behalf. If in doubt the Clerk will advise as to who may be the most appropriate member of the Royal Family to approach and it is advisable to consult the Clerk at the earliest opportunity if unsure.

Princess Anne stood on the helipad at the Manchester Royal Hospital next to the Air Ambulance during the helipad's official opening
Princess Anne officially opens the helipad at the Manchester Royal Hospital in March 2022

Alternatively, invitations can be extended direct to the relevant Royal Household, via the Private Secretary. When using this route, it would be much appreciated if a copy of the invitation could be sent to the Lord-Lieutenant for her information. Include as much information as possible but try to keep it concise. The sort of information that will be needed will vary according to the type of invitation and the Clerk can advise on what is best to send.

If the invitation involves a visit to a new or refurbished building, it is vital that the work is fully completed and the people in place and the project up and running before the Member of the Royal Family visits. Such invitations need to be put forward for a date well after completion to ensure that everything is in place. This sometimes means that the Royal visit does not take place until sometime after the building or project has opened but that is quite usual.

When to make the invitation

All invitations received are very carefully considered. If you wish to invite a member of the Royal Family to an event taking place in Greater Manchester, you should invite them at least six months in advance. However, if you want a Royal visit for a special occasion on a particular day then you will need to extend your invitation approximately a year beforehand. If in doubt, please contact the Clerk who will be happy to advise on timings.

An invitation accepted

Once an invitation has been accepted, the appropriate Royal Household will inform the Lord-Lieutenant and the organisation to advise on a date when the member of the Royal Family wishes to visit. At this early stage of the proceedings, all details relating to the venue and the visit are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and no details should be given to anyone that is not involved in the visit.

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy will contact the organisation and will arrange to meet with the hosts to work on a draft programme for submission to the Royal Household. Once the Royal Visit is confirmed and all arrangements are in place, the details of the visit will be included on the future engagements page of The Royal Family website: https://www.royal.uk/future-engagements

Etiquette

Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex being escorted around The Hamlet in Wigan during a D of E Visit
Earl of Wessex tours The Hamlet in Wigan for a DofE visit in 2019

When a person is introduced they should address His Majesty The King: “Your Majesty” on the first occasion, and “Sir” thereafter. Female members of The Royal Family who hold the title Her Royal Highness: “Your Royal Highness” on the first occasion, and then “Ma’am” (pronounced as in jam) and for male members of The Royal Family who hold the title His Royal Highness: “Your Royal Highness” on the first occasion and “Sir” thereafter.

Men and women should head bob (nod from the neck rather than a bow from the waist) when they meet or shake hands if offered. However, some women prefer to curtsy. This is very much an individual choice but if they do choose that option then again it should be a bob from the knees.

When introducing someone to a member of the Royal Family the person should say “Your Majesty/Your Royal Highness, may I present…….”

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy can be contacted by email at the following address: clerk@gmlo.org