Page "British Royal Family" Paragraph 213

Members of the Royal Family participate in hundreds of public engagements yearly throughout the whole of the United Kingdom, as formally recorded in the Court Circular, to honour, encourage and learn about the achievements or endeavours of individuals, institutions and enterprises in a variety of areas of life.

As representatives of HM The Queen, they often also join the nation in commemorating historical events, holidays, celebratory and tragic occurrences, and may also sponsor or participate in numerous charitable, cultural and social activities.

Their travels abroad on behalf of the United Kingdom ( called State Visits when the sovereign officially meets with other heads of state ) draw celebrity-like attention to amicable relations within and between the Commonwealth and other nations, to British goods and trade, and to Britain as a historical, vacation, and tourist destination.

Their presence, activities and traditional roles constitute the apex of a modern " royal court ," and provide a distinctly British and historical pageantry to ceremonies ( e. g. Trooping the Colour ) and flavour to public events ( e. g. Garden Parties, Ascot ).

Throughout their lives they draw enormous media coverage in the form of photographic, written and televised commentary on their activities, family relationships, rites of passage, personalities, attire, behaviour, and public roles.

Although even senior members of the Royal Family often now drive themselves instead of having a driver.