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From marking anniversaries to opening new buildings, the Windsor family had a busy year in the county and we’ve set out why they came and how those visits went.
King Charles III
His Majesty was at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in Headington on Thursday, July 17 to celebrate its 40th anniversary and to open the renamed King Charles III wing.
Having been a patron since 1993, in a brief speech he called it a “beacon of Islamic scholarship” and said its mission is “more imperative than ever in today’s world”.
William Hague, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, was proud of the links between the university and the centre.
“His Majesty spoke well,” said the former Conservative leader, “on the importance of global understanding and tradition. It adds a lot to a centre like this to have the King as a patron”.
Its director, Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami, was extremely happy with the King’s patronage and said the “undertaking of the centre is a huge one”.
William, Prince of Wales
The heir to the throne was accompanied by another royal when he attended RAF Benson near Wallingford on Wednesday, October 15.
Crown Prince of Jordan, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II was at the airbase, with both men having previously trained as helicopter pilots.
The eldest son of King Charles III said flying is his “happy place” as he spoke with old air force colleagues, who asked if he still spent time in the cockpit.
The Prince replied: “I do still fly, yeah – I keep my hours going. When you learn that skill set, you just don’t want it to go.”
Recalling his time serving with the RAF Search and Rescue Force, he called them “glory days”.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Volunteers and families at Home-Start Oxford at Rose Hill Community Centre hosted Princess Catherine on Thursday October 9.
Her Royal Highness and the parents supported by Home-Start Oxford discussed the challenges they are facing and how one-to-one sessions with the charity have helped them.
The Princess got stuck in with her hands being left dirty and flour at one point ending up on the sleeve of her green jacket – although she didn’t seem to mind.
One of the mums, Sumayya Nabatanzi said: “Oooh she was amazing, we are living a dream.”
Another mum Mariam Namakula added: “She didn’t mind the mess, thank God, because there was a lot of it around. But when you’re a mother…”
Anne, Princess Royal
On the same day as the Princess of Wales’ visit, the Princess Royal was in Oxfordshire as well.
King Charles III’s younger sister firstly went to the Carterton Women’s Institute on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
Jan Barnard, the president of the institute, stated that the Princess Royal “was very supportive and chatted to all our members individually”.
She also went to nearby RAF Brize Norton in her capacity as honorary air commodore and on the occasion of the 24th Squadron’s 110th birthday.
While there, Her Royal Highness presented a Meritorious Service Medal to Master Aircrew Russell, recognising over 32 years of exemplary service.
Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
The fourth child of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Edward, visited Chipping Norton earlier this year, heading to The Branch Trust.
Arranged by the office of the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, His Royal Highness explored how the charity is addressing “critical service gaps” in west Oxfordshire, where 61 per cent of residents live in rural areas and often struggle to access essential support services.
Emma Kennedy, CEO of The Branch Trust said it was “great to be able to show his Royal Highness just some of what we do at The Branch and to show the power of collaborative working”.
At the end of the visit on Wednesday February 12 the Prince unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit.
He said: “This is about you, this plaque. It’s a big thank you to all that you do every day.”
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
2025’s final Oxfordshire royal visit came in late November when the Duchess of Edinburgh went to Raw Workshop in Blackbird Leys.
She was welcomed to the social enterprise company on November 26, and found out how it employs, trains and supports people who face barriers to work, such as inequality and criminal history.
She was greeted by Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Louise Upton, and received a very warm welcome from Roxy, the office dog.
Rick Mower, managing director of Raw said “having the Duchess here recognising that this kind of business exists is really powerful for us”.
He added: “The main thing that I hope we get from visit is an immense level of pride that our staff and our colleagues and the children who come to us get – this is a place that they’ve made.”
