A Royal visit is a special and exciting occasion that takes very careful planning to ensure the day runs smoothly and is successful. Each year His Majesty the King and other members of the Royal Family carry out approximately 3,000 engagements.
Engagements can include visits to:
- schools
- hospitals
- factories
- military units
- art galleries
- sheltered accommodation for elderly people
- hostels for the homeless,
- local community projects
- other British and Commonwealth organisations
They can also open events and buildings, give speeches, unveil plaques, and meet people and organisations.
The Royal Family may visit one region for an entire day and attend a range of venues.
The role of the Lord-Lieutenant
It is the role of the Lord-Lieutenant to host His Majesty the King or members of the Royal Family when they visit.
The Lord-Lieutenant, as the representative of the King, attends a wide range of events and ceremonies every year.
The range of events attended by the Lord-Lieutenant includes voluntary and charity initiatives, award ceremonies and community functions of local significance as well as smaller, less formal events.
Requesting a Royal visit
There are thousands of requests sent to the Royal Family each year to ask for a Royal visit, and each invitation is given careful consideration.
A member of the public may send an invitation directly to the household of the Royal Family member they wish to attend. It is more appropriate for the invitation to be sent to the household from the Lord-Lieutenant.
If you are planning an event at which you are seeking the presence of a member of the Royal Family, then contact the Clerk to the Lieutenancy's Office.
It is important that invitations are sent as early as possible, with a minimum of six months before the date of the intended Royal visit.
Requesting a visit of the Lord-Lieutenant
If you would like to request a visit by the Lord-Lieutenant, you can email the Clerk to the Lieutenancy.
After we have received your request
The Lord-Lieutenant considers all invitations received so it is important that invitations include full details of the event with some background information to assist with the process.
The Lord-Lieutenant, if he or she believes the event would be appropriate for a Royal visit, sends an invite direct to a specific member of the Royal Household.
The Royal Household responds to all invitations. If they are unable to accept, it is possible that the invitations could be sent to another member of the Royal Family as suggested by the Lieutenancy Office.
If an acceptance is issued it will be sent directly to the applicant, and the Royal Household will also inform the Lord-Lieutenant. It is essential the planned Royal visit is kept confidential until the programme is finalised.
The Lieutenancy Office will then be able to offer advice and guidance on the planning process to ensure the visit is as successful as it can be.