United Kingdom
The Queen welcomed the President Michael D Higgins on the first State Visit ever by a head of state of the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom. President Higgins arrived in London on April 7th and was officially greeted on the morning of April 8th at the Irish Embassy in London by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall who accompanied him and his wife, Sabina, to Windsor for the official welcome from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen welcomes Michael D Higgins to the United Kingdom as he became the first President of the Republic of Ireland to make a State Visit to the country
The Queen and the President then took a carriage ride through the streets of Windsor before a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.
The Queen and Michael D Higgins ride through Windsor in the Australian State Carriage on April 8th 2014
The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied President Higgins on an inspection of the Irish Guards before the President offered the band of the Irish Guards a coat for their mascot - an Irish Wolfhound called Domhnall.
The Duke of Edinburgh watches while the President of the Republic of Ireland presents a coat to the mascot of the Irish Guards, Domhnall at Windsor on April 8th 2014
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed a private lunch with President Higgins and his wife before they were joined by guests, including the Duke of York, to view a selection of Irish related items from the Royal Collection including an Irish language primer written for Elizabeth I and photos of Queen Victoria in Dublin.
The Queen and President Higgins looking at some of the Irish related items in the Royal Collection in Windsor Castle on April 8th 2014
In the evening, the Queen held a State Banquet at Windsor Castle in honour of the President and his wife. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and Commander Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were also present.
The official photo of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with the President of the Republic of Ireland and Mrs Higgins ahead of the State Banquet at Windsor Castle on April 8th 2014
On April 9th 2014, the Duke of York showed the President and Mrs Higgins the colours of former disbanded Irish regiments at Windsor Castle and gave them a tour of the different rooms.
The Duke of York shows President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, around Windsor Castle on April 9th 2014 as part of the Irish State Visit
In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present at a banquet at the Guildhall in the City of London given in honour of the President and his wife by the Lord Mayor of London and the Corporation of the City of London. On April 10th 2014, the Queen was accompanied by President Higgins at a Northern Ireland themed reception held at Windsor Castle as part of the visit. In the evening Prince and Princess Michael of Kent accompanied the President and his wife to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Queen meets Paralympic gold medalists, Kelly Gallagher from County Down and Charlotte Evans, at a Northern Ireland themed reception at Windsor Castle on April 10th 2014
The Queen said goodbye to the President on April 11th 2014 at Windsor Castle, where he and his wife had stayed throughout their official visit.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh say goodbye to President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on April 11th 2014 at Windsor Castle
The Prince of Wales held an audience at Clarence House on April 7th 2014 before hosting a reception for the Hackney Horse Society, of which he is patron, later that day. In the evening of the same day, the prince visited the exhibition 'The First Georgians' at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace, marking the 300th anniversary of the accession of King George I, first king of the House of Windsor. On April 9th 2014, Prince Charles visited Cumbria where he spent some time at the J36 Rural Auction Centre in Milnthorpe before an engagement at the Tourism Initiative in Penrith.
Prince Charles in Penrith in Cumbria on April 9th 2014
In the afternoon, the Prince of Wales visited the Northern Fells Group Rural Revival Initiative in Wigton and ended his day in the county by spending some time at Hospice at Home West Cumbria, of which he is patron. The prince's visit also made headlines when a woman in the crowd told him he was gorgeous.
The Prince of Wales during his visit to Cumbria on April 9th 2014
Also on April 9th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall visited the London Book Fair at Earl's Court in London - she is heavily involved in several literacy initiatives.
The Duchess of Conwall meets Hwang Sunmi at the London Book Fair on April 9th 2014
On April 7th 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince George arrived in New Zealand for a three week tour which will also take in Australia. The family were first photographed as they changed planes in Sydney, Australia.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George are photographed boarding their plane to New Zealand in Sydney, Australia on April 7th 2014
They arrived in Wellington on the morning of April 7th 2014 and the family was welcomed at the airport by the country's Prime Minister.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George arrive in New Zealand on April 7th 2014
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were then given an official welcome at Government House in Wellington, led by the Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife. The royal couple performed a hongi with Maori guests and Maori warriors performed a wero to see if the visitors were friend or foe.
The Duchess of Cambridge meets Sir Jerry Mateparae at Government House, Wellington on April 7th 2014
After a rest day to recover from their long flights, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took Prince George along to his first official royal engagement. The family met parents and children from NZ Plunket, an organisation that supports children in all areas of their lives.
Prince George reaches out for his first royal handshake at a play event on April 9th 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand
The little prince played with ten other children before being presented with a teddy bear and a notebook about his visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George with the teddy he was given at his first public engagement on April 9th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Blenheim where they laid a wreath at the war memorial and met war veterans before carrying out their first walkabout of the tour.
The Duchess of Cambridge meets war veterans in Blenheim on April 10th 2014
The couple then had a private lunch at Wither Hills in Marlborough before heading to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre where they met Oscar winning film director, Peter Jackson, who has put together an exhibition of World War One planes there. The Duke of Cambridge later tried out a replica of a Sopwith Pup plane while Peter Jackson filmed him and his wife on their visit.
The Duchess of Cambridge and Peter Jackson at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre on April 10th 2014
The couple then returned to Government House, Wellington where Prince William held private audiences with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Ley, and the Leader of the Opposition, David Cunliffe. In the evening, the royal couple attended a State Reception at Government House where they unveiled a new portrait of the Queen and the Duke of Cambridge gave his first speech of the tour.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the State Reception held at Government House on April 10th 2014
On April 11th 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Whenuapai Air Base where they met personnel from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and their families.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to Whenuapai Air Base on April 11th 2014
The royal couple then moved on to Auckland where they met the New Zealand America's Cup teams and enjoyed two three mile races against one another around the harbour with Kate winning both of them.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after their yacht races at Auckland Harbour on April 12th 2014
The couple also tried out an amphibious craft called the Sealegs boat and were given a mini version of the craft as a gift for Prince George. They ended their day with an impomptu walkabout at the harbour.
The Duke of Cambridge on a walkabout in Auckland on April 11th 2014
On April 12th 2014, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Hamilton where they carried out their first solo engagements of the tour. The duchess visited Rainbow Place Children's Hospice where she attended an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party and saw how art therapy is used to help children dealing with serious illness.
The Duchess of Cambridge at Rainbow Place Children's Hospice in Hamilton which she visited on April 12th 2014
The Duke of Cambridge visited Pacific Aerospace where he toured the aircraft production facility and got into the cockpit of one plane before seeing a display by some others. The couple reunited in Cambridge where they laid single red roses at the town's war memorial and met war veterans before another walkabout. The day ended with the duke and duchess officially opening the Avantidrome, a new velodrome, and meeting some of New Zealand's Olympic athletes as well as receiving a bike and cycling outfits for Prince George.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with a cycling outfit with Prince George's name on the back - they were given it when they visited the Avantidrome in Hamilton on April 12th 2014
The Duke of York attended two engagements linked to apprenticeships in the week. On April 7th 2014, Prince Andrew was in Birmingham for an apprenticeship event organised by the Society of Editors and on April 10th 2014 he travelled to Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire for the Apprenticeship Awards organised by the Gloucestershire Echo newspaper. Later the same day the duke was in Devenport, Devon where he opened the £23 million Naval Service Recovery Pathway at the town's Naval Base. The Duke of York returned to London that evening where he attended the launch of the book 'The Reign of George II 1727 - 1760' at St James' Palace.
The Duke of York at the Naval Base in Devenport where he opened the new Recovery Pathway on April 10th 2014
The Princess Royal spent April 7th 2014 in Wiltshire where she opened the Creamery at Coombe Castle in Melksham and also presented them with the Queen's Award for Enterprise. Later the princess presented the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services to the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust in Devizes. Princess Anne went on to open the new Galleries at Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devnizes before attending a reception for her charity, Save the Children, in the town.
The Princess Royal is presented with flowers during her visit to Devizes on April 7th 2014
On April 8th 2014, the princess travelled to West Yorkshire where she opened new facilities for the Riding for the Disabled Association in Bingley - she is the charity's patron. Princess Anne went on to attend the Inaugural Colloquium for engineering students at the Researcher Hub at the University of Huddersfield of which she is Royal Patron. Later that day the princess visited the West Yorkshire Probation Trust of which she is patron.
The Princess Royal with some of the members of Riding for the Disabled in Bingley, West Yorkshire on April 8th 2014
The Princess Royal travelled to Norfolk on April 9th 2014 where she began her day of engagements at How Hill Trust in Great Yarmouth. She went on to visit Herbert Woods in Great Yarmouth to mark its sixtieth anniversary. Princess Anne, who is patron of the National Association of Prison Officers, later visited HM Prison Bure in the county. Later in the day, Princess Anne spent some time at My Place at the YMCA in Norwich, Norfolk. In the evening, the princess attended a Livery Dinner at the Fishmongers' Hall in the City of London - she is Court Assistant of the Fishmongers' Company.
Princess Anne at MyPlace, YMCA in Norwich on April 9th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the Princess Royal held several audiences at Buckingham Palace before attending a Court Meeting and lunch with the Fishmongers' Company.
Spain
The King of Spain began his week with an audience on April 8th 2014 with the new management team of the Business Confederation of Madrid at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. On April 9th 2014, King Juan Carlos received the letters of credentials of the ambassadors of the Czech Republic, Morocco, Thailand, Indonesia, Oman and Malaysia in individual audiences at the Royal Palace in Madrid. It was the first time in several months that the king has held the full ceremonial audiences - during his recuperation from two hip operations at the end of 2013, he held less ceremonial group audiences.
King Juan Carlos of Spain with the new ambassador from the Czech Republic, Katerina Lukesova, after she had presented her letter of credentials on April 9th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the king held three audiences at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. He met the President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Karan Singh, who was visiting Spain before holding an audience with the Plenary Council of the Chambers of Commerce. His last audience was with the Board of Directors of the Spanish media organisation, RTVE.
King Juan Carlos of Spain meeting the President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Karan Singh, at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on April 10th 2014
On April 7th 2014, Queen Sofia visited Burgos to take part in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Association for Parents and People with Learning Disabilities, known as Aspanias. The organisation wants its anniversary to be a chance to thank all those in society who have supported it over the last five decades.
Queen Sofia of Spain meeting some of the parents and young people involved in Aspanias which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - the queen was taking part in celebrations in Burgos on April 7th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the queen met the winners of the Queen Sofia Handball Cup. The Bera Bera Handball team won this year's contest and brought their trophy with them for the audience at the Zarzuela Palace.
The winners of the Queen Sofia Handball Trophy meet the queen at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on April 10th 2014
The Prince and Princess of Asturias began their week in Barcelona on April 7th 2014 where they helped mark the centenary of the multinational fashion company, Puig. The royal couple also opened its new headquarters.
The Princess of Asturias during her visit to Puig in Barcelona on April 7th 2014
The Prince of Asturias took part in the closing of the Innovation Summit in Madrid on April 9th 2014. The event, at which the prince made a speech, was organised by the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations. On April 10th 2014, Prince Felipe was in Albacete where he visited the Air Arsenal which is responsible for aircraft maintenance in the Air Force of Spain.
Prince Felipe at the Air Arsenal in Albacete on April 10th 2014
The Princess of Asturias held three audiences at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on April 9th 2014. The princess met representatives of the Downs Syndrome Foundation for Madrid - she is honorary president of their 25th anniversary celebrations. Later Princess Letizia met the Organizing Committee of the World Championship of Figure Skating on Wheels which will take place in Reus in September and October 2014 - the princess is the president of the tournament's honorary committee. The Princess of Asturias also met representatives of the magazine 'Mujer Hoy' in her final audience of the day.
Princess Letizia at her audience with the Downs Syndrome Foundation for Madrid which took place on April 10th 2014
On April 9th 2014, the Infanta Elena visited the Tres Olivos School in Madrid to learn more about its teaching programme which encourages pupils with hearing problems and with full hearing to learn together.
The Infanta Elena during her visit to the Tres Olivos School in Madrid on April 9th 2014
The Netherlands
On April 8th 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima along with Princess Beatrix attended the Kings Day concert in Haarlem. On April 9th 2014, the king held an audience with the Dutch Culture Minister, Jet Bussemaker - one of a series of meetings with government ministers the king has held during the first year of his reign to discuss policy in each department. King Willem-Alexander received the letters of credentials of the new ambassadors from Somalia and Belize in audiences at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on April 9th 2014.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arriving at the Kings Day Concert in Haarlem on April 8th 2014
Queen Maxima opened the Hoogvliet Campus in Rotterdam on April 8th 2014. The three schools on the campus are designed to provide pupils with a wide range of educational experiences including support for young people who want to set up their own businesses.
Queen Maxima opening the Hoogvliet Campus in Rotterdam on April 8th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the queen was in Dordecht where she visited the Joining is Winning organisation which was set up in 2012 with the aim of using sport to improve society.
Queen Maxima hears about some of the work going on at the Joining is Winning Project in Dordecht on April 10th 2014
Belgium
Prince Laurent of Belgium was released from hospital at the beginning of the week, three weeks after his admission for treatment for pneumonia which involved him being placed in an induced coma. The prince's wife, Princess Claire, later tweeted a selfie of the family at home with a message of thanks for the medical staff at St Luc's in Brussels who had treated her husband.
Princess Claire takes a selfie of her family to celebrate Prince Laurent coming home from hospital after three weeks of treatment
King Albert II and Queen Paola attended a screening of the film 'Talking to the Trees' which tackles the subject of sexual exploitation of children. The film was shown in Brussels on April 7th 2014.
Norway
King Harald of Norway held an audience on April 7th 2014 with the Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Air Force at the Royal Palace in Oslo. Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was also present. On April 8th 2014, King Harald and Queen Sonja held a lunch at the Royal Palace in Oslo for the new members of the diplomatic corps. On April 7th 2014, Queen Sonja had attended a meeting of the board which looks after the Art Award which bears her name.
King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway in a formal potrait
The Crown Prince was also regent for much of the week and on April 10th 2014 he held an audience with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Royal Palace in Oslo before presiding over a Council of State there. Earlier in the week, Prince Haakon Magnus had attended the annual meeting of the Norwegian Employers Organisation for Locally Owned Enterprises which took place in Fornebu on April 8th 2014. On April 9th 2014, Prince Haakon attended the board meeting of the Crown Prince and Princess' Foundation before presenting the Export Award for 2014 to the company, Jets Vacuum, at a ceremony in Oslo. On April 10th 2014, Prince Haakon Magnus attended a presentation on public utility by Veritas which took place in Oslo.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway presenting the 2014 Export Award on April 9th 2014
At the end of the week, the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway were photographed at the start of their Easter break with their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway with Ingrid and Sverre at the start of their Easter break in April 2014
Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden opened Forest Industry Week in Stockholm on April 8th 2014- the aim is to allow representatives from industry, politics and unions to discuss issues affecting the trade. The king also presented three Forestry Industry Awards.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden with the award winners at the Forestry Industry Week event he attended on April 8th 2014
On April 9th 2014, the king continued his tour of Stockholm to see the developments going on in the city. On this second day of visits - the first took place a week before - King Carl XVI Gustaf focused on municipal services and the profile of the city.
The King of Sweden and the Governor of Stockholm, Chris Heister, on a bus taking them on a tour of the city as the king learned about developments in municipal services on April 9th 2014
On April 10th 2014, the king held an audience with the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaite, at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
The King of Sweden and the President of Lithuania at their audience at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on April 10th 2014
On April 11th 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia held the fourth annual Child Forum at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The forum was established by the royals in 2009 to bring together organisations working for children's rights and to help ensure children are protected and given opportunities. This year's meeting involved over 300 delegates from Swedish and international organisations.
The King and Queen of Sweden with some of he delegates at the Child Forum 2014 which was held on April 11th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm
Earlier in the week, April 7th 2014, Queen Silvia had been in Germany where she was presented with the Der Friedenstein award for her work with the World Childhood Foundation at a ceremony in Gotha.
Queen Silvia of Sweden receives an award for her work with the World Childhood Foundation at a ceremony in Germany on April 7th 2014
Prince Carl Philip visited Kalmar in the south east of Sweden on April 11th 2014 to meet members of the Agricultural Society there and to hear about farming work and projects going on in the area.
Prince Carl Philip of Sweden meets milk producer Martin Eskilsson on his visit to Kalmar on April 11th 2014
Denmark
On April 11th 2014, Crown Prince Frederik visited Aalborg University where he took part in celebrations for its fortieth anniversary. The university was opened by Queen Margrethe II in 1974.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the University of Aalborg on April 11th 2014
Crown Princess Mary opened a new exhibition about the Vikings in Roskilde on April 10th 2014. The exhibition is called 'The World in the Viking Age' and focuses on the maritime network that enabled the Vikings to travel so far and the boats they used to do it.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark on her arrival in Roskilde on April 10th 2014
On April 11th 2014, the princess was at Sonderbro School in Copenhagen as part of her work to mark the 200 years since the right to education was brought in for all children in Denmark. She heard them sing their school song - part of the day's theme was the use of music and song in education.
Crown Princess Mary at Sonderbro School in Copenhagen on April 11th 2014 - the pupils were very keen to meet her
Princess Benedikte was in Hanover on April 7th 2014 where she attended the Industrial Supply Fair and opened the Danish pavilion where nineteen firms exhibited during the event.
Princess Benedikte arriving at the Industrial Supply Fair in Hanover on April 7th 2014
Monaco
On April 10th 2014, Prince Albert of Monaco inaugurated the IOC Conference on Injury Prevention and Sports Injuries taking place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The prince gave a speech at the event.
Prince Albert at the IOC Conference which he opened on April 10th 2014
On April 7th 2014, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene opened a new creche in Monaco which will provide facilities for around sixty children aged between three months and three years.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco open a creche on April 7th 2014
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