March
From late March Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire, England. Prince William was educated at Eton College just a few minute’s walk from Windsor Castle. Guided tours during the holidays. Tours for 2012 to be announced in early 2011.
April
From April throughout 2011 50th anniversary of Royal Shakespeare Company and formal re-opening of Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.
4 April Highgrove House, home of HRH Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Highgrove Garden Tours available until 21 Oct 2011. Tours are available if booked in advance from 1 February 2011. Garden Tours on weekdays only.
21 April HM Queen Elizabeth II 85th birthday.
29 April Royal Wedding, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England.
29 April One day national public holiday to mark the 2011 Royal Wedding.
May
24-28 May Royal Horticultural Show Chelsea Flower Show is one of a leading number of RHS events showcasing the best the gardening world has to offer. Eagerly anticipated and hugely popular amongst British royalty, this annual show will be a spectacular extravaganza bursting at the seams with cutting-edge show gardens.
28 May – 31 December Royal Beasts at the Tower of London, London, England. A major exhibition to learn about the wild and wonderous creatures that have inhabited the Tower of London throughout its history, Britain’s first zoo.
June
10 June Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th birthday.
11 June Queen’s Birthday Parade (Official), Trooping the Colour, Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall, London, England.
14 – 18 June 300th anniversary of Royal Ascot, Britain’s most famous race meeting founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and attended by British Royal Family every year.
21 June University of St Andrew’s 600th Anniversary. Scotland’s oldest and Britain’s third oldest university. Celebrations continue through until St Andrew’s Day (30th November 2013). Both Kate Middleton and Prince William studied at the University of St Andrew’s.
July
14 – 17 July The Open Championship, Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, England. Royal status was bestowed on the Club by King Edward VII in May 1902. 2012 will mark its 100th anniversary as a “Royal” golf club. 2011 will mark 14th time Royal St George’s has hosted The Open Championship.
From mid-July The BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, England. The world’s greatest classical music festival (including Proms in the Park). Opened in March 1871. In 2011 it will be 140 years old.
24 July The world’s greatest spectator polo day. The main highlight of the day is the afternoon match for the Coronation Cup, which features the very best English players.
August
1 August – 25 September Royal Apartments open to the public. Windsor Castle, Windsor, Surrey, England.
1 August – 25 September Buckingham Palace Open to the Public. Highlights include the 19 state rooms that house the treasures of the Royal Collection and 2011 Royal Faberge Exhibition.
September
3 September The Braemar Gathering, The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar, Royal Deeside, Scotland. 2011 tickets available from 1 February.
October
8 – 11 October Anglesey Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival. One of the great events to attend on this ancient island off the coast of North Wales. Anglesey will be the marital home of Prince William and Kate Middleton after their wedding on 29 April 2011. HRH Prince of Wales is a big fan of Welsh local and seasonal produce!
November
Nov/Dec (date to be confirmed) The State Opening of Parliament, Westminster, London, England. The main ceremonial event of the new parliamentary session opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Late November Hennessy Gold Cup, Newbury, Berkshire. Newbury Racecourse (near to the family home of Kate Middleton in Bucklebury). First race of the season starts on 19 Jan.
December
November/December Chatsworth Christmas at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, England. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Famous annual Christmas displays. The Devonshire family have had a long association with the British monarchy. In 2012 Chatsworth will complete a major restoration project.
