Prince William received some on-the-job training from Her Majesty The Queen on Wednesday as he accompanied her, for the first time, as she received foreign ambassadors at Buckingham Palace. This particular regular royal duty saw The Queen and Prince William greet the Nicaraguan Ambassador as well as the Ambassador for Austria.
It was confirmed by Aides that Prince William’s presence at Wednesday’s audience is a part of his training as a future King, saying also that William had been keen to observe The Queen performing this particular duty for some time. When Prince William becomes King, like Her Majesty, he will perform hundreds of these audiences each year.
Nicaraguan Ambassador Guisell Morales- Echaverry and Austrian Ambassador, Martin Eichtinger were greeted by The Queen who, in turn, introduced them both to her grandson. Both ambassadors presented Her Majesty with their predecessor’s Letters of Recalls and consequently handed over their own Letters of Credence.
Wednesday’s audience was held in the 1844 room at Buckingham Palace. The 1844 room was named in honour of a State Visit by Tsar Nicholas I in 1844.
A Clarence House spokesperson has said that they were sure that when Prince Charles was younger, he too must have observed The Queen at audiences though there is no record it. They also mentioned that Prince Charles has held audiences himself before on behalf of Her Majesty in his role as Counsellor of State, the last time being on July 18th 2002.
The Queen holds audiences throughout the year, wherever she is in residence. The Prime Minister has a regular audience with The Queen when they are both in London, an audience that is usually held on a Tuesday evening. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer is due to deliver a budget, he too has an audience with Her Majesty.
At most audiences, it is usually just The Queen and her visitor who are present although family members of new foreign ambassadors or high commissioners sometimes attend to watch them deliver their credentials. Wednesday’s audience also saw the presence of Dr Eichtinger’s wife.
Prince William is second in the line of succession to the British throne after his father, The Prince of Wales.
Featured Photo Credit: Government of Alberta
