Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

9 December: The Queen arrived at Leicester Station this morning and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Leicestershire (Mr Timothy Brooks) and the Mayor of Leicester (Councillor Henry Dunphy).

Her Majesty drove to Leicester Royal Infirmary and was received by the Chairman (Mr Philip Hammersley).

The Queen toured the hospital, escorted by the Chairman, and afterwards unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Her Majesty this afternoon visited De Montfort University and was received by the Chancellor (Dame Anne Mueller).

The Queen toured the university and honoured the Chancellor with her presence at Luncheon.

Her Majesty subsequently unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The Queen later visited the Avalon Community Education Project and was received by the Chairman, Avalon's Community Council (Mr Geoffrey Pool).

Her Majesty toured the building and met groups connected with the project.

The Lady Susan Hussey, Mr Robin Janvrin and Captain Peter Hopkins were in attendance.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Trustee, today attended a Trustees meeting and Luncheon at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10.

His Royal Highness was represented by Sir Brian McGrath at the Memorial Service for Mr Innes Ireland which was held in St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1, this afternoon.

The Prince of Wales, on behalf of The Queen, held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning.

9 December: The Princess Royal, Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy, this morning received Captain Julia Simpson WRNS upon assuming the appointment of Chief Naval Woman Officer.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, National Association of Victims Support Schemes, later attended a meeting of the Advisory Board at Church House, Westminster, London SW1.

The Princess Royal, President of Patrons, Crime Concern, this afternoon attended the National Conference 'Women's Safety - Everybody's Business', Bafta Centre, 195 Piccadilly, London W1.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, later visited Wandsworth Citizens Advice Bureaux, 17 Ram Street, London SW18.

The Princess Royal, President, the Missions to Seamen, this evening attended the Annual Carol Concert at Guildhall, London EC2.

Mrs Andrew Feilden was in attendance.

CLARENCE HOUSE

9 December: Air Commodore Gordon McRobbie today had the honour of being received by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Commandant-in- Chief, Royal Air Force Central Flying School, upon relinquishing his appointment as Commandant of the School.

Air Commodore Simon Bostock also had the honour of being received by Her Majesty upon assuming his appointment as Commandant of the Royal Air Force Central Flying School.

ST JAMES'S PALACE

9 December: The Prince of Wales this morning received the Minister for Trade (Mr Richard Needham MP).

His Royal Highness, President, Business in the Community, this afternoon attended a meeting of the Urban Villages Forum in K Warehouse, Royal Docks, Docklands, London E16.

Mr Stephen Lamport was in attendance.

The Prince of Wales this evening attended a fund-raising inauguration of the Friends of Gdansk Theatre at St James's Palace.

KENSINGTON PALACE

8 December: The Princess of Wales today visited Northern Ireland and was received by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (the Right Hon Sir Patrick Mayhew MP).

Her Royal Highness was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for County Down, Colonel William Brownlow.

Her Royal Highness this morning opened the Child Development Centre, Ulster Hospital.

The Princess of Wales, Patron, Home-Start Consultancy, this afternoon attended a Reception at Hillsborough Castle.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Relate, later attended the launch of the Northern Ireland Relate Teen Project, Hillsborough Castle.

Mr Patrick Jephson was in attendance.

9 December: The Princess of Wales this morning presented the Absa Awards for business and the arts at the Royal National Theatre, London SE1.

Captain Edward Musto RM was in attendance.

YORK HOUSE

9 December: The Duke of Kent, Vice- Chairman, the British Overseas Trade Board, this morning visited the Roxboro Group Limited, Exning Road, Newmarket, and was met on arrival by Major Stephen Ryder (Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk).

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Pauls Malt, Eastern Way, Bury St Edmunds and later visited Otley College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Otley, Near Ipswich, Suffolk.

Captain Alexander Tetley was in attendance.

The Duke of Kent, President, the Royal Choral Society, this evening attended a Classic FM Charitable Concert at St Paul's Cathedral, London EC4, followed by dinner at the Baring Foundation, Bishopsgate, London EC2.

Commander Roger Walker RN was in attendance.

The Duchess of Kent, President, the Royal Northern College of Music, this afternoon presided at the Congregation of Awards Ceremony at 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, and was met on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester (Colonel John Timmins).

Her Royal Highness this evening attended a concert at the College.

Mrs David Napier was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Prince of Wales delivers the annual lecture of the Countryside Council for Wales, Swansea, West Glamorgan. The Princess of Wales opens the St Matthew's Community Centre, London SE1. The Princess Royal, Patron, the Butler Trust, visits HM Young Offender Institution, Brightons, Stirlingshire; and as President, British Knitting and Clothing Export Council, attends Pringle of Scotland's Gala Dinner and Fashion Show, the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh.

The Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace opens 10am-5pm.

Changing of the Guard

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 11am.

Windsor Castle

The Precincts at Windsor Castle open 10am-4pm, the State Apartments 10.30am-3pm.