Investitures
The Prince of Wales conducts Investitures at Buckingham Palace each year (he conducted 6 in 2006–2007) and also attends state functions on behalf of The Queen.
People whose names are published in The Queen's Birthday Honours and New Year Honours lists usually receive their award from The Queen, The Prince of Wales or, occasionally, another member of the Royal Family at an Investiture in Buckingham Palace.
There are usually 20 Investitures held in the Ballroom at the Palace each year, with another at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and sometimes one more at Cardiff Castle in Wales.
Investitures are also occasionally held overseas, during a State Visit by The Queen or a foreign visit by another member of the Royal family.
The Prince has presented honours in more unusual locations too. In January 2002, The Prince of Wales presented Dyfanwen Jones, a nurse for Macmillan Cancer Relief, with an MBE during a visit to the Usk House Day Centre, in Brecon, Wales.
Mrs Jones was awarded the honour the previous year for her community work but was unable to attend the ceremony in Buckingham Palace because she had to care for her patients.
In February 2003, The Prince carried out an investiture at Cardiff University for 32 people named in the New Year’s Honours List, including opera singer Bryn Terfel and rugby legend Gerald Davies.
The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, which is a department of the Lord Chamberlain's Office, is responsible for the organisation of each Investiture.