The royal diary is packed each year, with the monarchy hosting a series of occasions that combine historical traditions, pageantry, and national pride.

Below is a detailed look at the key royal events and their historical and cultural significance.

Royal Ascot

First up we have Royal Ascot. Every June, the picturesque town of Ascot becomes the epicentre of horse racing with Royal Ascot, a five-day event attended by members of the royal family, including King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Known for its glamour, approximately 300,000 spectators gather at Ascot to witness this display of world-class horse racing.

The event begins each day with the royal procession. The king, queen, and other royals arrive in horse-drawn carriages.

The races themselves feature events such as the King George V Stakes and the Windsor Castle Stakes, which serve as a reminder of the royal connection.

Many royal fans enjoy the fashion aspect of the races too. It sees Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and Zara Tindall wow with their looks, along with other popular young royals.

Maundy Thursday

On the Thursday before Easter Sunday, the monarch participates in the Maundy Service, where the king or queen distributes special coins to pensioners in recognition of their service and contributions to local communities.

Dating back to 600 AD, this ceremony reflects Jesus washing the feet of his Apostles at the Last Supper.

During the service, recipients receive two purses – a red purse containing ordinary coins and a white purse with Maundy coins equivalent to the monarch’s age.

The service is held at a different cathedral each year, a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth II to reach communities across the UK.

In 2024, the king was unable to attend this important royal diary event. However, he recorded a message to play during it.

The Order of the Garter Ceremony

Royalists enjoy following the Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle annually. It was founded in 1348 by Edward III – who was inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Membership is limited to 24 knights. It’s only granted to individuals who have significantly contributed to national life or served the monarchy.

Each June, members don ceremonial robes and plumed hats and process through the castle grounds to St. George’s Chapel, where a special service takes place.

The royal diary event culminates with a lunch hosted by the king. The public can view this procession, making it a highlight of the royal calendar.

Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour marks the official birthday of the monarch each June. More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians take part in a parade that travels from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The event – a tradition for over 260 years – concludes with an RAF flypast. The royal family views this from the Buckingham Palace balcony.

It’s often a highlight with royal fans, who hope to see some sweet and funny moments. Prince William and Kate’s youngest child, Prince Louis, often provides giggles with his funny faces and behaviour!

Remembrance Day

On the second Sunday of November, the nation honours those who lost their lives in wars and conflicts during Remembrance Day.

The king leads the ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, alongside members of the royal family, Government officials, and war veterans.

The event begins with two minutes of silence at 11am, followed by a short service and the bugle call of The Last Post.

Veterans and current members of the Armed Forces march past the Cenotaph, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The royal family also attend other related events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

State Opening of Parliament

The State Opening of Parliament marks the beginning of the parliamentary year. The king and queen travel in a grand state coach to the Palace of Westminster. They’re also accompanied by a procession of the Household Cavalry.

Once they arrive at Westminster in the state coach, the king and queen don their Robes of State and process to the House of Lords.

The ceremony includes the summoning of the Commons by Black Rod. He strikes the door of the Commons Chamber with an ebony staff after it is symbolically slammed shut.

The king then delivers the King’s Speech. This speech outlines the government’s legislative agenda for the coming year.

Annual royal diary events include garden parties

Garden parties are one of the most anticipated royal diary events of the summer. Each year, over 30,000 guests are invited to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the gardens of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.

These gatherings provide an opportunity for the royal family to meet and celebrate people from various walks of life. These people have made positive contributions to their communities.

Typically, Buckingham Palace holds three garden parties and the Palace of Holyroodhouse hosts one.

The guests arrive around 3pm. The event begins officially at 4pm when members of the royal family enter the garden accompanied by the National Anthem.

In addition to the traditional gatherings, special garden parties have marked milestones such as the queen’s 80th birthday in 2006.

Christmas Broadcast of King’s Speech

The monarch’s Christmas broadcast has become an annual royal diary highlight. The broadcast gives the king or queen the opportunity to address current global and national issues, give words of encouragement, and share reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

King George V first delivered a broadcast via radio in 1932. They began airing on TVs in 1957.

Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II maintained this tradition throughout her reign. King Charles made his first broadcast in 2022.