British State Visits & Tours: General Discussion, Suggestions & Musings

[suztav]

I wish they visited Denmark, Sweden and Norway

They visited Denmark in their first or second year on the throne

 

[suztav]

The Belgians are unlikely to be offered a state visit to the UK anytime soon.

Why not? Do they have an adversarial relationship?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Why not? Do they have an adversarial relationship?

Belgium is not a big trading partner to UK and also not as politically important as before with UK not in EU..

I don’t think there is any hard feelings between the 2 royal families anymore… Belgium and UK just don’t have much in common so other countries are probably higher up on the state visit list

 

[doro]

They visited Denmark in their first or second year on the throne

When? Charles is King one year and one month ago

 

[muriel]

Why not? Do they have an adversarial relationship?

Belgium is not a big trading partner to UK and also not as politically important as before with UK not in EU..

I don’t think there is any hard feelings between the 2 royal families anymore… Belgium and UK just don’t have much in common so other countries are probably higher up on the state visit list

I agree with @Hans-Rickard, there is no ill-will. However, Belgium is just not seen as strategically important to the UK either from an economic or geopolitical perspective.

I do not think it has anything to do with the UK no longer being in the EU. Belgium was never granted a state visit in our 45 years in the EU /EC. Belgium merely houses the EU, they have no special influence there.

 

[muriel]

I wish they visited Denmark, Sweden and Norway

All three countries had an official visit by C&C in 2012. State visits to these countries will come in time, but there are greater priorities that lie beforehand.

 

[Iluvbertie]

Don't forget that State Visits are done at the request of the governments of the countries and not the royals. If the government sees a reason for a state visit, either in or out, then Charles will have to comply, whether he wants to do so or not. He is a servant of the government and not the other way round.

 

[muriel]

Don't forget that State Visits are done at the request of the governments of the countries and not the royals. If the government sees a reason for a state visit, either in or out, then Charles will have to comply, whether he wants to do so or not. He is a servant of the government and not the other way round.

Well said. A state visit (or an official visit!) is at the behest of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. It is not a decision made by the monarch on their own.

 

[IloveCP]

Does anyone know why the monarch and consort do not attend a Guildhall banquet during a SV? And why do only one or two royals attend the event and not the entire royal family?

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Does anyone know why the monarch and consort do not attend a Guildhall banquet during a SV? And why do only one or two royals attend the event and not the entire royal family?

Likely because it is the Lord Mayor of London who is the Host at the Guildhall, and not the King.

Should The King be there he would outrank the Lord Mayor who holds the athority over the City of London at any time when the Monarch is not there.

 

[Iluvbertie]

The entire royal family used to attend the 'return' banquet but the late Queen decided somewhere in the late 90s to stop attending and sending the Gloucesters only.

It was after the first rumours of the 'smaller' royal family came about and was one of the things that was lost in that movement to fewer royals doing things.

 

[Stefan]

The entire royal family used to attend the 'return' banquet but the late Queen decided somewhere in the late 90s to stop attending and sending the Gloucesters only.

It was after the first rumours of the 'smaller' royal family came about and was one of the things that was lost in that movement to fewer royals doing things.

But the return Banquet (which there isn't one usually) is something different then the Banquet at the Guildhall hosted at the Guildhall. Or did the entire RF also attend this?.

 

[An Ard Ri]

But the return Banquet (which there isn't one usually) is something different then the Banquet at the Guildhall hosted at the Guildhall. Or did the entire RF also attend this?.

I think its normally the Princess Royal and her husband or the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester that attend the return Banquet.

 

[muriel]

I think its normally the Princess Royal and her husband or the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester that attend the return Banquet.

Return banquets, in general, have become rarer with the pasage of time. In the past, the Queen and Prince Philip attended the return banquets (eg, hosted by the Obama's at Winfield House). In time, Charles & Camilla took some of them on (eg, they attended the dinner hosted at Winfield House by Trump).

In general, the Gloucester's tend to attend the banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at Guildhall. On occasion, Anne & Tim have attended (eg, when Felipe & Letizia were here for a state visit in 2017).

 

[wartenberg7]

The entire royal family used to attend the 'return' banquet but the late Queen decided somewhere in the late 90s to stop attending and sending the Gloucesters only.

It was after the first rumours of the 'smaller' royal family came about and was one of the things that was lost in that movement to fewer royals doing things.

Are you mixing the return banquet and the Guildhall banquet? These are two different kind of events. At the Guildhall banquets only selected memebers of the brit. Royal Family attend, like in the past the Kents (also Prince and Princess of Kent, but the last time they did is long ago), the Gloucesters or the Princess Royal. At the Return banquet, which was often held at the luxurious hotels like the Claridge´s or the Dorchester, almost the complete Royal Family attended, including, as principle guest of honour, the monarch.
Now, at some point, it was decided a return event in Britain was abandoned altogether, which must have been a decision of the late Queen (which I find a mistake because you take the guest every opportunity to return the favour and say thank you for UK´s hospitality...), while the Guildhall banquet has been kept because, of course, the Royal Family has no say in who the Mayor of London is inviting and who not!
I remember seeing footage from the invitations from the City of London, which were daytime events - so no white tie or tiaras - and the foreign monarch has been presented with an official gift by the City. I`m not sure, but this tradition lasted until the 1960s or 70s, I think.

 

[Iluvbertie]

But the return Banquet (which there isn't one usually) is something different then the Banquet at the Guildhall hosted at the Guildhall. Or did the entire RF also attend this?.

Yes - entire royal family at the meals according to the CC - State Visits were much bigger events in the 50s and 60s but over the years they have been made into these rather minor events with one or two events involving a few of the royals and a bit of pageantry.

The visiting Head of State was escorted everywhere by a royal as well, other than when dealing directly with the politicians. Now after the first day and maybe a second meal the royals largely disappear from the visit.

 

[Mbruno]

The Express is reporting that the King and Queen will make a tour of Canada in May 2024. I don’t think there has been any official confirmation yet.

Click here

 

[muriel]

The Express is reporting that the King and Queen will make a tour of Canada in May 2024. I don’t think there has been any official confirmation yet.

Click here

Makes sense. 2024 is the year for visits to Canada (in the spring) and Aus / NZ alongside the CHOGM meeting.

Probably sneak in a state visit to Ireland as well would be my guess.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The much talked about visit to Ireland never materialised ,hopefully we will see a visit in 2024!

 

[Iluvbertie]

Maybe the UK government don't see a need for any visit by the Sovereign to Ireland. The King doesn't choose where to go but is told where to go by the government.

The late Queen only visited once while Charles, as Prince of Wales, was making an annual visit but now that he is the King he must do what the government want him to do and say.

 

[An Ard Ri]

Maybe the UK government don't see a need for any visit by the Sovereign to Ireland. The King doesn't choose where to go but is told where to go by the government.

The late Queen only visited once while Charles, as Prince of Wales, was making an annual visit but now that he is the King he must do what the government want him to do and say.

Times were very different during the reign of the late queen and it only became possible after the Good Friday Peace Process and end of the Troubles.


The media were speculating that the king would visit after his Coronation but that did not happen.
Its very possible that the rumours were merely media speculation.
I still think that Charles III will visit Ireland sooner rather than later as Ireland is the UK's nearest neighbour.

 

[Saragli]

Times have changed but not enough to make planning a state visit to Ireland from a British monarch as easy any other kind of state visit. There still has to be huge security arrangements, the cost of which was a criticism even during QEII's visit, so I think that a visit will happen but when everything is just right.

 

[tommy100]

I think we also have to remember that because of the issues around Northern Ireland (mainly its own issues such as power sharing, forming a working government etc), Brexit and much more beside there is more chance for "inopportune" times for a state visit to the Republic of Ireland to occur.

 

[IloveCP]

It would be exciting if there will be a SV to/from Luxembourg soon. The last time that happened was in the 1970s.

 

[muriel]

It would be exciting if there will be a SV to/from Luxembourg soon. The last time that happened was in the 1970s.

I can't see it happen any time soon. Luxembourg (or Belgium) just does not have the diplomatic or economic might to justify a state visit.

 

[tommy100]

I think an outward visit is most likely and even then almost as a “filler” as they are both close to the UK and could get away with two day visits (heck even one day to Lux). It is odd how Belgium and Luxembourg have probably the most visits by UK government ministers, civil servants and diplomats but the fewest state or official visits.

 

[Mbruno]

I think we also have to remember that because of the issues around Northern Ireland (mainly its own issues such as power sharing, forming a working government etc), Brexit and much more beside there is more chance for "inopportune" times for a state visit to the Republic of Ireland to occur.

The Irish government is also now launching a legal challenge against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights over recently passed UK legislation that gives conditional amnesty to alleged crimes committed during the Troubles era.

Relations between Ireland and the UK are pretty much at a low right now (with Varadkar being strongly anti-British in particular). I would be very surprised to see any kind of bilateral visit taking place between the two countries.

I think an outward visit is most likely and even then almost as a “filler” as they are both close to the UK and could get away with two day visits (heck even one day to Lux). It is odd how Belgium and Luxembourg have probably the most visits by UK government ministers, civil servants and diplomats but the fewest state or official visits.

Going strictly by protocol, an outward visit would be the appropriate move as King Philippe and Grand Duke Henri have reigned longer than King Charles III.

 

[Alison H]

The Prince and Princess of Wales are reportedly set to visit Italy in early 2024.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

The only ”monarchy to monarchy” state visit i would imagine being actual in a near future would be the postponed japanese state visit to UK…

I also begin to doubt that Biden will ever make a state visit to UK (unless he’s re-elected)

I expect Royal Tours of the Commonwealth to be the main focus in 2024…

 

[Blog Real]

According to the Spanish press, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to Spain at the end of January or beginning of February!

https://monarquia.elconfidencialdig...incesa-palacio-real/20231229000000115059.html