Request a Royal Visit

As His Majesty The King’s representative in Bedfordshire, the Lord-Lieutenant is responsible for the overall co-ordination of the arrangements for a Royal visit to Bedfordshire by a member of the Royal Family.

The Lieutenancy Office will liaise with the host, the Royal Household and the police to make all the necessary planning arrangements and ensure the visit is a success and is enjoyed by all involved.

A Royal Visit is a memorable occasion which honours the work and achievements of an organisation or community. It is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the different ways in which people have been involved in either a special piece of work or occasion. These visits are much valued by those organisations and communities that are fortunate enough to receive such a visit.

Extending an Invitation

Invitations to members of the Royal Family may be made in a number of ways.

Invitations may be extended through the Lord-Lieutenant and may be submitted to specific members of the Royal Family on an organisation’s behalf. If in doubt the Lieutenancy Office will advise as to who may be the most appropriate member of the Royal Family to approach and it is advisable to consult the Lieutenancy Office at the earliest opportunity if unsure.

Alternatively, invitations can be extended direct to the relevant Royal Household, via the Private Secretary. When using this route, it would be much appreciated if a copy of the invitation could be sent to the Lord-Lieutenant for information.

Your letter should include as much relevant information about what you would like to mark or celebrate. Make sure you include details such as notable anniversaries or particular links between your organisation or community and the Royal Family.

Any request should be for something special or unique. Events such as the celebration of 50 or 100 years are often favourably considered as are the openings of large new establishments with significance to the region. They also like to see charities and community groups with as many people as possible and to hear the stories of how lives are affected or changed for the better by the group they are visiting.

Please do bear in mind that the Royal Family receive many thousands of invitations each year, and the number of requests far exceeds what is possible, so there is no certainty that an invitation will be accepted. To have the best chance of success your invitation should be issued around twelve months in advance, and it also helps if you have some flexibility date wise.

For a detailed guide to Royal Visits, including contact details for the Royal households, please click the appropriate links below: