Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

28 April: The President of the Portuguese Republic this morning at Buckingham Palace received the Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (the Right Hon Paddy Ashdown MP). Senhora Soares this morning visitedthe Royal National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1, and was received by the Chairman (Lady Soames) and the Theatre Manager (Mr John Langley).

The President of the Portuguese Republic drove to St James's Palace in a Carriage Procession, accompanied by a Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry with Standard, and received High Commissioners of the Commonwealth Countries and Ambassadors accredited to the Court of St James's.

The President of the Portuguese Republic visited the Palace of Westminster and was received by the Right Hon David Howell MP (Chairman, the Foreign Affairs Committee) where his Excellency addressed Members of Parliament.

The President of the Portuguese Republic and Senhora Soares visited No 10 Downing Street and were entertained to Luncheon by the Prime Minister on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

Afterwards His Excellency had talks with the Prime Minister.

The President of the Portuguese Republic and Senhora Soares this afternoon attended a Reception for the Portuguese Community at the Berkeley Hotel, Wilton Place, London SW1.

His Excellency afterwards attended a Reception at Canning House, Belgrave Square, London SW1.

The President of the Portuguese Republic and Senhora Soares this evening received an Address of Welcome at a Court of Common Council and afterwards were entertained at a Banquet by the Right Hon the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London at Guildhall.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present.

His Excellency Baron von Richthofen and Baroness von Richthofen were received in farewell audience by the Queen and took leave upon His Excellency relinquishing his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from the Federal Republic of Germany to the Court of St James's.

Mr Justice Colman was received by The Queen upon his appointment as a Justice of the High Court when Her Majesty conferred upon him the honour of Knighthood and invested him with the Insignia of a Knight Bachelor.

Mr Justice Clarke was received by The Queen upon his appointment as a Justice of the High Court when Her Majesty conferred upon him the honour of Knighthood and invested him with the Insignia of a Knight Bachelor.

Sir Derek Reffell was received by The Queen upon relinquishing his appointment as Governor and Commander-in- Chief of Gibraltar.

Lady Reffell was also received by Her Majesty.

Mr John Birch (Her Majesty's Ambassador at Budapest) was received by The Queen.

Mrs Birch was also received by Her Majesty.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, Outward Bound Trust, this afternoon attended the Variety Club of Great Britain - Outward Bound Trust Sports Award Luncheon, the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2.

Wing Commander Christopher Moran RAF was in attendance.

His Royal Highness this evening attended the sixtieth Anniversary of the CBF World Jewish Relief, the London Hilton, Park Lane, London W1.

Brigadier Miles Hunt-Davis was in attendance.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were represented by General Sir Desmond Fitzpatrick (Gold Stick) at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, today.

28 April: The Duke of York was represented by Captain Rupert Maitland- Titterton at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, today.

28 April: The Princess Royal, President, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, this morning opened the Greenwich Carer Centre, Macbean Street, Woolwich, London SE18.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Spinal Injuries Association, this afternoon attended the launch of the Association's Appeal, Haberdashers' Company, Haberdashers' Hall, Staining Lane, London EC2.

Mrs Malcolm Innes was in attendance.

The Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Signals, this afternoon received Colonel Michael Stewart upon relinquishing his appointment as Colonel Commandant.

Her Royal Highness, President, Royal Yachting Association, later attended a Council Meeting, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Knightsbridge, London SW1.

The Princess Royal, Patron, the Home Farm Trust, accompanied by Commander Timothy Laurence RN, this evening attended the Premiere of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, MGM Cinema, 135 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2.

CLARENCE HOUSE

April 28: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was present at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guard's Chapel, Wellington Barracks, today.

The Hon Mrs Rhodes was in attendance.

ST JAMES'S PALACE

28 April: The Prince of Wales, President, the King Edward's Hospital Fund for London, this morning chaired a General Council Meeting, the King's Fund Centre, Camden, London NW1.

Miss Belinda Harley was in attendance.

His Royal Highness this afternoon attended a Luncheon with the Executive Committee of the Army Board, the Officers' Mess of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, St John's Wood, London NW8.

Commander Robert Fraser RN was in attendance.

The Prince of Wales this evening visited Cambridge and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire (Mr James Crowden).

His Royal Highness delivered the Global Security Lecture in Senate House, University of Cambridge.

Commander Richard Aylard RN was in attendance.

The Prince of Wales was represented by Sir John Riddell Bt at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, today.

KENSINGTON PALACE

28 April: The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon today visited Manchester and was received by Her Majesty's Lord- Lieutenant for Greater Manchester (Colonel John Timmins).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, the Halle Concerts Society, was entertained at a Ladies' Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Midland Hotel in aid of the Halle Endowment Trust.

The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon later visited Wythnshawe Hospital, Manchester, and opened the New Heart New Start Transplant Centre and the North West Lung Centre.

Lady Aird was in attendance.

The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was represented by The Hon Mrs Wills at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks today.

28 April: The Duchess of Gloucester, President, Royal School of Needlework, today received Mrs John Williams upon relinquishing her appointment as chairman.

28 April: Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were represented by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Simon Bland at a Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, today.

YORK HOUSE

28 April: The Duke of Kent, Grand Master, this afternoon attended the Annual Investiture and Grand Festival of the United Grand Lodge of England at Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2.

Commander Roger Walker RN was in attendance.

The Duchess of Kent this evening attended a Reception to mark the occasion of the departure of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany (His Excellency Baron Herman von Richthofen) at Belgrave Square, Chesham Place, London SW1.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent were represented by Sir Richard Buckley at a Thanksgiving Service for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London SW1, today.

THATCHED HOUSE LODGE

28 April: Princess Alexandra, Patron of the Anchor Housing Association, this afternoon visited Lambourn Court at Walton Way, Newbury, Berkshire.

Her Royal Highness was received by Major Raymond Seymour (Deputy-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire).

The Lady Mary Mumford was in attendance.

Princess Alexandra was represented by the Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy at the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith which was held in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London SW1, today.