The Lord-Lieutenant is responsible for making all the arrangements for a visit to Hertfordshire by a member of the Royal Family. The Clerk to the Lieutenancy, will make the arrangements direct with the Royal Household, the host organisation and the Police.

A Royal visit is a very special occasion and it often marks an event with which a City, town, school, business or voluntary organisation or community has been or is still involved in. It is an opportunity to celebrate the different ways in which people have been involved in a special piece of work or occasion.

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. If in doubt the Lord-Lieutenant will advise as to who may be the most appropriate member of the Royal Family to approach and it is advisable to consult the Lord-Lieutenant at the earliest opportunity. Submissions should be made on headed paper and include a short statement about the project or event and the reason for the visit.
• Invitations extended by national bodies e.g. headquarters of charities of which a member of the Royal Family is a Patron, headquarters of organisations of which a member of the Royal Family is President.
• Invitations extended by individuals, organisations and companies to open buildings, launch projects, commemorate anniversaries etc. All invitations received are very carefully considered. If you wish to invite a member of the Royal Family to an event taking place in Hertfordshire 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 about a year beforehand. If in doubt please contact the Clerk to the Lieutenancy who will be happy to advise.

The King and other member of the Royal Family make at least 3,000 visits a year. With around 1,000 invitations sent to Her Majesty alone each year; it is not possible for them all to be accepted. Planning for a Royal Visit will involve a lot of detailed planning and if your bid is successful, the Clerk to the Lieutenancy will give guidance and support throughout the planning process and on the day of the visit.

For further information about Members of the Royal Family and the charities or organisations they support please go to the British Monarchy website. http://www.royal.uk/

On 1st March 2019, HRH The Princess Royal, President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association, visited heritage brand and luxury luggage maker Globe-Trotter at its factory in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire to help celebrate British-made products.

On 14th February 2018, HRH The Duke of York attended the Pitch@Palace Tour at the University of Hertfordshire. The Duke of York was received by The Lord-Lieutenant where he welcomed the entrepreneurs, helped with the judging, and of course announced the winners going onto the Bootcamp.

On 19th September 2018, HRH The Princess Royal flew to South Oxhey to be received by The Lord-Lieutenant where she opened the new Citizens Advice Bureau in the Old Police Station. Princess Anne met many of the large number of volunteers as well as some of the CAB’s clients before presenting a number of long service awards to some of the volunteers for 20 and 10 years of service.

On 19th September 2018, HRH Princess Anne flew into Brook Cottage Farm and was accompanied by Neville Reyner DL. She enjoyed an active morning meeting many of the riders, and horses of course,  before unveiling the plaque opening the new barn facility and then flying off to be meet by The Lord Lieutenant in South Oxhey.

On 12th September 2018, The Countess of Wessex – President of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) met with a number of students of different ages at Annabel’s Farm School in Harpenden courtesy of Deputy Lieutenant Ian Pigott OBE. Having spent time in the kitchen and learning about worms – Her Royal Highness interacted with the students before am enjoyable lunch in the marquee. A number of dignitaries attended including The Bishop of St Albans and The Chief Constable as well as Deputy Lieutenant Janie Wentworth-Stanley.

On 26th June 2018 Prince Edward spent the morning at the University of Hertfordshire meeting many different schools and other bodies involved with The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme of which he is President.

He then went to Hatfield House to play 3 matches of real tennis as part of his fundraising for DofE playing all 50- real tennis courts ion the world in 2018. This was the half way point of .his “tour” and he has so far raised £1 million. A dinner at Hatfield House in the evening hosted by Lord and Lady Salisbury capped a busy but most enjoyable day.

On 16th March 2018 Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex opened the new Girlguiding Centre at Guessens , Welwyn Garden City. Her Royal Highness met many of the Brownies and Guides and having watched biscuits being made-the Royal visitor decorated her own with a crown. She went on to discuss forthcoming overseas trips with the Senior Guides and joined in the activities of the younger girls. The Countess was accompanied throughout by The Lord-Lieutenant and left to cheering crowds.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, was at HULT International Business School, Ashridge, on 10 October 2017, where he hosted The Pitch@Palace 8.0 Boot Camp. The Lord-Lieutenant was in attendance (and assisted with the judging), accompanied by Lionel Wallace DL. A number of local business were represented at the Bootcamp and Cadets from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Army Cadet Force and 1239 (Broxbourne & Hoddesdon) Sqn ATC were present complete with drums which they used most effectively to sound the end of each three minute Pitch.

42 Entrepreneurs took part in this stimulating Boot Camp programme. Each delivered a three minute Pitch to an audience of Supporters and Elevators and twelve were selected to Pitch at Pitch@Palace 8.0, at St James’s Palace on 1 November 2017.

The Entrepreneurs received advice from Facebook on how to maximise their reach in social channels, including to promote the People’s Choice Award. Keynote speeches were given by Ahmad Ashkar, Founder HULT Prize, Mukal Kumar, Chief Innovation Officer, HULT, and John Neal, Head of Coach Development, England and Wales Cricket Board.

On Tuesday 28 March 2017, Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Gloucester, visited Princess Helena College near Hitchin. Her Royal Highness visited the Rose Garden (which is currently undergoing significant restoration) where she planted a standard rose in the central bed. She then went on to formally open the Heritage Wall which was created and managed by a group of Year 10 girls. The school will be celebrating its bicentenary in 2020 and the Heritage Wall is part of the countdown to this event.

Her Royal Highness then visited the Old Hall where she unveiled the Foundation Stone for the School’s new Performing Arts Centre.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness had the opportunity to speak with many of the pupils and asked them questions about their plans for the future.

Mrs Sally Burton DL was in attendance.

On Wednesday 1 February 2017, His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, attended a Jewish Community event at Yavneh College in Borehamwood. The Chief Rabbi was also present at the event and both he and His Royal Highness were escorted on a tour of the school by the Headteacher.

His Royal Highness was given the opportunity to meet with teachers and pupils and watch them undertaking some creative activities. During the tour six Duke of Edinburgh Award pupils were presented to His Royal Highness. Before departing, His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque in the Sports Hall commemorating his visit.

The Lord Lieutenant was in attendance.