Why October is a very busy month for the royal family

The royal family on the balcony at Trooping the Colour in June (PA)
The royal family on the balcony at Trooping the Colour in June (PA)

August may have provided the royal family with a bit of downtime at Balmoral, but the diary is starting to fill up with autumn engagements.

This month will see a royal wedding, an overseas tour and a state visit. That’s a lot of logistics to think about.

While there’s likely to be more announcements to come, here’s the full run-down of everything happening in October.

The Duchess of Cambridge returns from maternity leave

Kate gave birth to Prince Louis in April (PA)
Kate gave birth to Prince Louis in April (PA)

Kate is set to undertake her first public engagement, since giving birth to her third child Prince Louis on April 23.

The Duchess will visit Sayers Croft Forest School and wildlife garden at Paddington Recreation Ground on October 2, to see children take part in outdoor activities.

While Kate has attended official events, such as Trooping the Colour and the RAF Centenary, she has taken time off work to look after her baby son.

Princess Eugenie gets married

The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson’s youngest daughter will marry her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel, in Windsor, on Friday 12 October.

Eugenie, who is ninth in line to the throne, has already confirmed a British-based fashion designer is creating her wedding dress, with Erdem, Suzannah, Jenny Packham and Alice Temperley the front-runners.

The ceremony will start at 11am and afterwards, the newlyweds will take a short carriage ride around Windsor. The Queen is set to host a lunch at Windsor Castle for her granddaughter, while an evening reception will be held at Royal Lodge. It has been reported that celebrations will continue for a second day, with a carnival-themed party on the Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex head off on tour

The Duke and Duchess in Ireland earlier this year (PA)
The Duke and Duchess in Ireland earlier this year (PA)

Prince Harry and Meghan will embark on their first official royal tour together as a married couple this month.

The pair will visit Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand during their 16-day trip, starting on October 16.

Their itinerary will focus on youth leadership, and environmental and conservation efforts within the Commonwealth.

They will fly home on October 31.

Invictus Games Sydney

While they’re on tour, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will attend the Invictus Games Sydney , which takes place between 20 and 27 October.

It is an international adaptive multi-sport event, created by Harry in 2014, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and indoor rowing.

Last year’s Games in Toronto saw Meghan and Harry make their first public appearance together as a couple.

Prince Charles starts his 70th birthday celebrations

Prince Charles receives his Lifetime Achievement at the GQ Awards. (PA)
Prince Charles receives his Lifetime Achievement at the GQ Awards. (PA)

The Prince of Wales might not turn 70 until November 14, but festivities will begin this month, to celebrate his milestone birthday.

ITV will host a magic show – called We Are Most Amused and Amazed – in his honour at the London Palladium on October 22. While the line-up is still to be announced, it will star some of Britain’s finest magicians.

According to the Daily Mail, the Duchess of Cornwall is also throwing a private bash for her husband at Buckingham Palace on October 25.

Netherlands state visit

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will make an official state visit to the UK from 23 to 24 October, staying at Buckingham Palace.

Willem’s parents, Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, were the last royal Dutch couple to visit the UK on an official visit in 1982.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall overseas visit

Prince Charles and Camilla will visit The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria, at the request and on behalf of the British Government, the Palace announced.

The visits will highlight the importance of the countries’ Commonwealth ties and key themes will include youth opportunity, the environment and sustainability, literacy and religious and cultural diversity.

The couple will begin their tour on October 31, returning home on November 8.


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