Queen Launches Olympic Week

Royals Olympics schedule unveiled

Harry's got tickets to the beach volleyball, but it fell to the Queen to host the first formal reception of the London 2012 Olympics last night, which open on Friday, when she and her daughter, Olympic horsewoman Princess Royal, Anne, hosted a reception for Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, and more than 100 other members of the IOC at Buckingham Palace.

Together with the Princess Royal, the IOC members then went to the Royal Opera House, where Placido Domingo sang music from Tosca and joined a choir for a rendition of Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy".

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 23: Queen Elizabeth II listens as President of the International Olympic Committee Count Jacques Rogge speaks at a reception for members of the International Olympic Committee at Buckingham Palace on July 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/WPA Pool/Getty Images) — Dominic Lipinski / WPA / Getty Images

Mr Rogge gave the Queen a set of gold, silver and bronze medals at the reception, and the Queen paid tribute to the “personal sacrifice” of the athletes.

“We send our warm wishes to them all for a rewarding and enjoyable Games,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Buckingham Palace announced the Olympic schedule for the Royal family, and there will be a royal presence on almost every day of the 16-day long games.

Prince Harry has snagged a ticket to the women’s beach volleyball final, to be played on an artificial beach at Horse Guards Parade in central London on August 8. William, Kate and Harry will also all be supporting their cousin Zara Philips in the equestrian events.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Alejandro Simon of Spain prepares to serve during their Preliminary Phase Pool E match against Canada during the VISA FIVB Beach Volleyball International at Horse Guards Parade on August 10, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) — Alejandro Simon of Spain prepares to serve during a Beach Volleyball International at Horse Guards Parade on August 10, last year in London. (Scott Heavey / Getty Images)

A St James’s Palace spokesman said the young royals had picked out events in which they had a personal interest and wanted “to support Team GB as much as possible”.

The young Royals will all attend the opening ceremony on Monday, which will feature James Bond and a recreation of England’s ‘green and pleasant’ land, with dozens of live farmyard animals.

Guests include Michelle Obama, who arrives in London on Thursday.