With over six hundred engagements across eight countries covering a mixture of State, military, religious and charitable work, Their Royal Highnesses have marked some key moments of celebration, commemoration and reflection throughout the year. Through their charities and patronages they have met remarkable people making truly outstanding contributions to the Nation’s well-being. It is the role of The Royal Family to serve the people of Great Britain and the Realms in many different ways, including highlighting important national and international issues. In addition to supporting The Queen in her ninetieth birthday year, The Prince and The Duchess continued to draw attention to challenges ranging from the environment, social cohesion and literacy to religious tolerance, domestic abuse and sexual violence. They were also able to celebrate great moments for the country including the Rio Olympics, the European Football Championships and even a marathon being run in space for The Prince’s Trust by the British astronaut, Major Tim Peake.
This year alone, The Prince’s Charities and Foundations have raised £170 million. Over more than forty years the creation of these charities and their subsequent fundraising efforts have been made possible in large part by The Prince’s vision and the investment of his time and personal income from The Duchy of Cornwall. The charities include The Prince’s Trust which over the last ten years has returned more than £1.4 billion in value to society through its help to disadvantaged young people. It also includes Dumfries House, celebrating its ten year anniversary this year and now employing more than 200 people in full and part-time jobs, making it the second largest employer in East Ayrshire after the council. Without The Prince’s investment, so many of the great achievements of these charities would not have been possible.
“This year we have paused to remember important moments in our national history such as the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the tragic events of the Aberfan disaster some fifty years ago. As we return to these moments of our shared past, and make new discoveries from around the country, my wife and I are continually amazed and humbled by how much incredible work has been done by so many people for the good of others.”
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
629
Engagements undertaken by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
14,991
Letters and cards received by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
61million
Times videos have been viewed on the Royal YouTube channel.
Shakespeare
In April, The Prince of Wales visited New Place, William Shakespeare’s adult home for nineteen years. The Prince viewed a new exhibition relating to the Shakespeare family’s life and toured Holy Trinity Church which houses Shakespeare’s grave. In the evening, The Prince, who is President of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and The Duchess attended ‘Shakespeare Live! from the RSC’ – a special event marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death – during which he surprised the audience with a performance of Hamlet’s ‘To Be or Not To Be’.
Commonwealth Service
In March, Their Royal Highnesses joined The Queen and Senior Members of The Royal Family for the annual Commonwealth Observance Service at Westminster Abbey. The aim of the Commonwealth Day Observance is to celebrate the unity, diversity and linkages of the modern Commonwealth and foster greater understanding of the Commonwealth’s achievements and role, particularly among young people. The Observance is the biggest multi-faith celebration in the United Kingdom. This year’s focus of the service was ‘A Peace-Building Commonwealth’.
That evening, Their Royal Highnesses represented Her Majesty The Queen at a Commonwealth Reception at Marlborough House, hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The reception provided an opportunity for Their Royal Highnesses and representatives of the Commonwealth countries to come together to celebrate the Commonwealth’s rich diversity and its shared values of peace, democracy and equality.
The Annual Review covers the year to 31 March 2017 and aims to provide an overview of Their Royal Highnesses’ work and roles.
It includes information about The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall’s official, ceremonial and charitable work, their visits throughout the UK and across the world, and key Household statistics including financial and environmental data.
The financial data also includes the official costs of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, for which The Prince of Wales is responsible.
While there is no formal constitutional role for The Heir to the Throne, The Prince of Wales seeks, with the support of his wife, The Duchess of Cornwall, to do all he can to make a difference for the better in the UK and internationally. The way His Royal Highness does so can be divided into two parts: undertaking official Royal duties in support of The Queen and on behalf of Her Governments, and by supporting charitable and civil causes which promote positive social and environmental outcomes.
More information on all aspects of Their Royal Highnesses’ roles and work can be found at princeofwales.gov.uk.
Income And Expenditure Summary
| Year to 31 March | 2017 £000s |
2016 £000s |
|---|---|---|
| Total income and funding | 22,519 | 21,902 |
| Official costs | (10,892) | (10,565) |
| Other costs | (11,384) | (11,017) |
| Net cash surplus | 243 | 320 |
