COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace

The Countess of Wessex was received by The Queen at Windsor Castle this morning when Her Majesty invested her with the Insignia of a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

The Rt Hon Alan Johnson, MP, had an audience of The Queen at Buckingham Palace this afternoon and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for the Home Department.

The Rt Hon Harriet Harman, MP, had an audience of Her Majesty and took leave upon relinquishing her appointment as Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal and Minister for Women and Equality.

The Rt Hon Edward Balls, MP, had an audience of The Queen and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

The Rt Hon Edward Miliband, MP, had an audience of Her Majesty and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

The Rt Hon Benjamin Bradshaw, MP, had an audience of The Queen and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander, MP, had an audience of Her Majesty and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for International Development.

The Rt Hon John Denham, MP, had an audience of The Queen and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Baroness Royall of Blaisdon had an audience of Her Majesty and took leave upon relinquishing her appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Rt Hon Hillary Benn, MP, had an audience of The Queen and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel, Grenadier Guards, this afternoon chaired a Meeting of the Regimental Council at Buckingham Palace.

His Royal Highness, Colonel, Grenadier Guards, this evening attended a Dinner for the First Guards Club at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London W1.

Clarence House

The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall this afternoon visited the Poundbury development and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset (Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers).

His Royal Highness later visited Joseph Weld Hospice, Herrington Road, Dorchester.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York, Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, this evening arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and was received by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia (His Excellency Mr Boyd McCleary).

Buckingham Palace

The Earl of Wessex this afternoon departed Heathrow Airport, London, for the United States of America.

Brigadier John Smedley is in attendance.