Q: Jenny - Glasgow
How many official engagements does The Princess Royal undertake each year?
The number of engagements which The Princess undertakes varies from year to year. However, an unofficial survey of engagements undertaken by members of the Royal Family is written every year by a Mr Tim O'Donovan, using information taken from the Court Circular. His 2004 survey shows the Princess as having undertaken the following number of engagements:
271 official visits, opening ceremonies and other engagements
102 Receptions, lunches, dinners and banquets
95 other engagements including investitures, meetings attended and audiences given
468 engagements on the UK
131 engagements on official overseas tours
As with the commitments of other members of the Royal Family, these figures do not take into account the preparation work such as reading briefings for these engagements.
Q: Arthur Lau - Bristol
How many times has The Queen visited Norway?
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have been on three State Visits to Norway:
24-26 June 1955, visiting King Haakon VII
5-8 May 1981, visiting King Olav V
30 May - 1 June 2001, visiting King Harald V and Queen Sonja
This autumn sees an Official Visit from King Harald V and Queen Sonja to the UK; details will be announced nearer the time.
Q: John - UK
Out of curiosity, who raises and lowers the Royal Standard and Union Jack over Buckingham Palace when The Queen either enters of leaves her residence?
The Queen's Flag Sergeant, who is a member of the Master of the Household's Department, is responsible for raising and lowering the Union Flag.
The post of Queen's Flagman is filled by a serving Non-commissioned Officer from the Household Division seconded to the Royal Household as part of the Master of the Household's Department for a period generally of about two years.
The Queen's Flagman has responsibility for the raising and lowering of the Royal Standard and Union Flag. The Union Flag is flown when The Queen is not in residence at Buckingham Palace. He also despatches Royal Standards to places The Queen is visiting on engagements around the country as well as overseas when The Queen makes visits abroad.
On a day to day basis within Buckingham Palace The Queen's Flagman forms part of the mail courier service, assists with liveried duties and acts as orderly in the Master of the Household's Office in addition to flag-related requirements.
Q: Carl - London
If I wanted to be a butler or a valet for the Royal Household, how would I apply for a position?
All Royal Household vacancies are advertised on the recruitment pages of this website.
The Royal Household is currently looking for motivated, flexible team players who strive to provide exceptional service and are strong communicators to work as Butlers. They are expected to provide the highest standards in the service of wine, food, valeting and messenger duties. Candidates should possess some experience in the catering or service sector, although structured training is offered.
The role is primarily based at Buckingham Palace, but successful candidates will also be required to travel and work at other Royal residences in the UK. The role also requires work some weekends.
Visit the Recruitment section.
Q: Kyle - London
What has become of William IV's Royal Pavilion at Brighton? Is this no longer a Royal residence?
The Royal Palace is no longer a Royal residence, but is operated by Brighton City Council as a visitor attraction.
George IV first rented Brighton House, a simple farmhouse beside the sea, in 1786 when he was Prince of Wales. John Nash was engaged to transform and extend the House in 1815. The Prince rejected earlier 'oriental' designs and chose the Indian style for its picturesque qualities. The extraordinary exterior was completed in stucco and Bath stone in 1822. The opulent interior was completed in 1823.
The Pavilion began to be used less and less during the reign of Queen Victoria. Her family stopped visiting the Royal Pavilion in 1845 because it no longer offered them enough privacy. The opening of the London to Brighton Railway brought Londoners to Brighton in their thousands. Queen Victoria began taking her family for more private holidays to the Isle of Wight, where she stayed at Osborne House.
After Queen Victoria left the Royal Pavilion in 1845, the building quickly fell into disrepair. In 1850, the Brighton Town Commissioners bought the Royal Pavilion from the Royal Family. Parts of the building were still in good enough repair to be used for flower shows, concerts, official functions and exhibitions.
In 1975, the Royal Pavilion suffered unexpected damage when a fire bomb was thrown into the music room. An effort was made to restore the Music Room to its former glory.
A full programme of restoration of the Royal Pavilion began in 1982 and Brighton's people had to view their monument buried under scaffolding and protective sheeting for several years.
In October 1987, not long after the structural restoration was completed, a storm knocked one of the large domes through the roof into the music room, damaging it once more.
The Music Room has now been lovingly restored and the present Royal Family has donated generously to the furniture and ornaments now on display.
The Pavilion is open to visitors. Visit the web site for Brighton Pavilion.
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