January - June diary of events

2012 is an exhilarating year to be living in Britain. Not only are we hosting the Olympic Games in July/August, but it is also the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee! As a result, our calendar is full of exciting new activities, as well as old favourites.

Highlights for 2012 include: ‘Happy & Glorious’, a performance of much-loved pieces and songs to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; a tour of the Commonwealth Secretariat Headquarters at Marlborough House; attending the Victoria & Albert Museum’s exhibition ‘Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton’; a Diamond Jubilee ‘Big Lunch’ at the Victoria League House to celebrate the Jubilee and watch the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant on television; and attending the newly-renovated Kensington Palace to view the fascinating new exhibition: ‘Victoria Revealed’.

We hope you can join us for some (or all!) of these wonderful events as we get into the celebratory spirit for 2012.

The Victoria League Diary of Events can also be viewed as a PDF

 

Click here for a booking form 

 

 February

 

 

Lunch at the New Cavendish Club

 Tuesday, February 28 at 12:30pm

 The New Cavendish Club, London. Cost: £25.00

 

Join us at one of our regular lunches at the New Cavendish Club to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The luncheon is always delicious, and it’s a great opportunity to hear news of the Victoria League’s activities. For VL members and their guests. An informal occasion with Lunch (choice from Menu) and Wine.

 

March

Commonwealth Observance Day Service

Monday, March 12 at 2:45pm (seated) for 3:15pm

Westminster Abbey, London.

Tickets: Free, but please book early

This multi-faith Observance will be held in Westminster Abbey in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and H.R.H The Duke of Edinburgh. The theme of the Observance in 2012 is ‘Connecting Cultures’, celebrating the threads that tie together people from every continent, faith and ethnicity.

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton

Wednesday, March 21. 1:00 for 1:15pm

Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Tickets:£5.40/£4.50 Seniors

 

The photographs of the British royal family by Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) were central to shaping the monarchy's public image in the mid-20th century. These photographs give us a fascinating overview of the life of Queen Elizabeth II in her roles as princess, queen, wife and mother. Following the exhibition, we will stop for Afternoon Tea in the V&A's original refreshment rooms, the Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms (not included in ticket price).

 

April

Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race

Saturday, April 7 at 12:15pm for departure at 12:30pm

Departs: Festival or Westminster Pier (TBC)

Cost: £25 per head.

 

Watch the start of this thrilling race from the comfort of the cruiser ‘Suerita’, with a light luncheon and cash bar. We will depart from Festival or Westminster pier (TBC) to a mooring near the start line of the race. After the race we will travel with the boat back in to London.

 

Lunch at the New Cavendish Club

Tuesday, April 24 at 12:30pm

The New Cavendish Club, London. Cost: £25.00  

 Join us at one of our regular lunches at the New Cavendish Club to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The luncheon is always delicious, and it’s a great opportunity to hear news of the Victoria League’s activities. For VL members and their guests. An informal occasion with Lunch (choice from Menu) and Wine.

 

Anzac Day Dawn Service, Wreath Laying & Commemorative Service

Wednesday, April 25

 

5:00am: DAWN SERVICE, NEW ZEALAND WAR MEMORIAL, HYDE PARK CORNER

 

A non-ticket event. Lasts approx 40mins.

 

11:00am: WREATH LAYING SERVICE, THE CENOTAPH, WHITEHALL

 

A non-ticket event, but please carry photo ID for security checks.

 

12:00 noon: COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE, WESTMINSTER ABBEY

 

Complimentary tickets are required to attend this service. Please book early.

 

 

MAY

Victoria League Student Concert

May 2nd  7.30pm

The Royal Over-Seas League, Green Park.

Tickets: £20.00 includes complimentary glass of wine on arrival

Training at some of the world’s leading conservatoires, music student Residents of Victoria League House have taken time out of their busy schedules to perform at this annual Victoria League event. Come along to enjoy the talents of some of our students in concert.

 

Tour of Marlborough House

Tuesday, May 15.

Marlborough House, Pall Mall.

Tickets: £5.00, but please book early

 

Commissioned for the first Duke of Marlborough, Marlborough house was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1711. Occupied by the  Dukes of Marlborough and then by various members of the Royal Family through the years, in September 1959, the Queen placed Marlborough House at the disposal of the British Government as a Commonwealth centre and it came into use as such in March 1962. Today, it houses the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation. The tour will be approximately two hours long and take in all the fine rooms, the history of the building and the gardens and the Work of The Commonwealth Secretariat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June

Trooping of the Colour**

1^st Rehearsal – Major-General’s Review Saturday, June 2. A limited number of free tickets will be available

2^nd Rehearsal – Colonel’s Review

Saturday, June 9 A limited number of tickets will be available. Cost: £10.00

 

Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Parade

Saturday, June 16. A limited number of tickets will be available.

Cost: £25.00

 

 

 

Diamond Jubilee ‘Big Lunch’

Sunday, June 3

Victoria League House, Bayswater.

Cost: TBA

As announced by Buckingham Palace, The Big Jubilee Lunch will be a part of the main programme of events over the central weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012.

We will be holding a lunch at the Victoria League, and viewing the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on television.

 

Jubilee Carriage Procession**

Tuesday, June 5

Ticket availability for this event is not yet confirmed.

** All Royal Events in 2012 will be extremely popular, as it is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Year. Ticket availability will be limited. Please book events as soon as possible, to avoid being disappointed.

 

Beating Retreat**

Thursday, June 14. 9:00pm

Horse Guards Parade Ground

Cost: £15.00. Please book early as we order tickets via a third party.

An unforgettable evening as 300 musicians, drummers and pipers perform this age-old ceremony. Beating Retreat is a major event in the Army’s ceremonial calendar, delivering an evening of spirited marches as well as poignant and evocative hymns and anthems. 

 

Queen’s Cup Final Polo Match**

Sunday, June 17

Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park

Cost: £25. (Clubhouse Grandstand), £20 (South Grandstand) plus £10 for car entry if required (to be paid with cost of ticket)

England’s premier high goal handicapped polo championship, the Queen’s Cup is a highlight of the polo year. You may take your own picnic or buy lunch at the food and bar facilities available. Enjoy a truly different and memorable day out watching this ‘Game of Kings’.

 

Garter Procession**

Monday, 18 June

Windsor Castle.

Tickets: Free, but please book early

 

Tickets to view this event are issued by ballot and we have applied for an allocation. We will have a very limited number of tickets so early booking is recommended.

 

Every June, the Knights of the Garter gather at Windsor Castle, where new knights take the oath and are invested with the insignia. The knights process to a service in St George's Chapel, wearing their blue velvet robes, the badge of the Order and black velvet hats with white plumes.

 

PLEASE NOTE

 

Members should be aware that some of our events may require a certain amount of standing, walking and climbing stairs. Any Member who may have difficulties with mobility should ensure they bring someone to assist them.