British Royal Family week ahead 23-27 January, 2012: Books, Germany, Medals

The British Royals are mostly all back at work this week. The Queen and Prince Philip are still in Sandringham and, while they may take on some engagements, they have nothing official scheduled for the week ahead, per the monarchy website. Prince Philip doesn't have anything scheduled until next month now, due to recovery from his heart scare. We can expect further revelations this week about the Jubilee and Olympics, as news on those topics seems to be coming out daily. In particular, we can expect much more about the possible new Royal Yacht.

The Leveson Inquiry continues, though the section that deals with tabloids and gossip or celebrity magazines, which often target the Royals, passed last week. Highlights of the week ahead include several military occasions, a trip to Germany, and the launch of a new literacy initiative. (Article continues below.)

Prince of Wales: On Tuesday, the 24th, Prince Charles pays a quick visit to West Yorkshire, where this writer grew up. First stop is Barnsley, and a look at the Dickie Bird statue. Mr. Bird is a famous cricket umpire who's about to be honored thanks to the New Year's Honours list. As President of the Prince's Trust, the Prince of Wales will visit the Barnsley campus of Huddersfield University, and then the Barnsley Chronicle. Prince Charles finds time to take in history at Wentworth Castle in Stainborough, near Barnsley, then heads to the City of Wakefield where he'll rename the Britannia steam locomotive at Kirkgate station.

The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) has Olympic-themed duties this week, with a Team 2012 lunch at St. James' Palace on Tuesday. She is President of the British Olympic Society. Later, the Princess will dine at the annual banquet of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, a celebration of its Diamond Jubilee. Princess Anne was once this organization's Master. On Wednesday, she will have another Worshipful Company of Farmers event, this time a debate at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The debate is part of an advanced business management course. Thursday, Princess Anne heads to Germany for two medal parades. At the Princess Royal Barracks in Gutersloh, Germany she will oversee the 2 Logistic Support Regiment Medal Parade; as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Corps of Signals, she will also attend a 7 Signal Regiment Medal Parade at Javelin Barracks, Elmpt Station.

Duchess of Cornwall: On Wednesday, the Duchess of Cornwall is heading to Swindon, Wiltshire, where she'll visit Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, Nova Hreod College in Swindon proper, and the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery; the Duchess is Patron of the Public Catalogue Foundation.

Thursday sees her back in London, launching the 2012 National Literacy Trust's Premier Reading Stars program. The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of the National Literacy Trust, and usually attends several engagements in support of them each year. On Friday, the Duchess is due on HMS Excellent, moored at Whale Island in Portsmouth. She is Commodore in Chief of Royal Naval Medical Services and will prevent campaign medals to Royal Navy medical personnel.

Duchess of Cornwall in Swindon, January 25, 2012
Duchess of Cornwall presents service medals, January 27, 2012
Poulet reine Elizabeth or Coronation Chicken

Earl of Wessex: On Wednesday, Prince Edward will attend the European Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, followed by a visit to Wolf Safety Lamp Company and Longley Park Sixth Form College. (In the United Kingdom, students can leave school at 16, or continue with two years of “A” (advanced)-level studies, which pre-qualify them for university. This education can continue at regular schools (sixth form), or through specialized sixth form colleges; forms are the same as grades in grade school.)

Other Royals: The Duke of Kent is attending a Fellows Dinner at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in London on Monday; he is its president. As Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Anglian Regiment, the Duke of Gloucester will, on Wednesday, visit the 1st Battalion at Castlemartin, Dyfed, Wales. The same day, Princess Alexandra will hold a reception for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday; she is its patron.