COURT CIRCULAR

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Pope Benedict XVI today visited The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

His Royal Highness welcomed His Holiness this morning at Edinburgh Airport on behalf of Her Majesty.

The Pope and The Duke of Edinburgh drove to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where His Holiness was met by The Queen.

His Holiness, with Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, was received on the Forecourt with a Royal Salute.

A Guard of Honour was provided by The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers, with the Colours of the Royal Company, and accompanied by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse were on duty.

The Pope, with The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, afterwards attended a Reception in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York, Patron, this afternoon presented the trophy for The Duke of York Young Champions’ Trophy Competition at Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent.

Buckingham Palace

The Earl of Wessex, Chairman, International Special Projects, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Foundation, and The Countess of Wessex this evening held a Dinner for The Duke of Edinburgh Cup World Finals at Windsor Castle.

Buckingham Palace

The Princess Royal, President, UK Fashion and Textile Association, this morning visited Chrysalis Clothes Limited, Harlow House, Shelton Road, Willowbrook East Industrial Estate, Corby, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire (the Lady Juliet Townsend).

Her Royal Highness, President, Riding for the Disabled Association, this afternoon visited the High Wycombe Group at the Horse Trust, Home of Rest for Horses, Westcroft Stables, Slad Lane, Speen, near Princes Risborough, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire (Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Bt.).

The Princess Royal later opened Queen Elizabeth House at the National Society for Epilepsy, Chalfont Centre, Chalfont Common, Buckinghamshire.

Her Royal Highness, Master, the Worshipful Company of Butchers, this evening attended a Court Meeting and Dinner at Butchers’ Hall, 87 Bartholomew Close, London EC1.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester, President, British Expertise, this afternoon received Mr Neil Holt upon relinquishing his appointment as Chairman and Mr. David Howell upon assuming the appointment.

Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park

Princess Alexandra, Royal Patron, Digestive Disorders Foundation, this afternoon received Dr John Bennett at Buckingham Palace upon relinquishing his appointment as Chairman and Professor Roger Jones upon assuming the appointment.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, English National Opera, later received Mr Vernon Ellis (Chairman), Mrs Loretta Tomasi (Chief Executive) and Mr John Berry (Artistic Director).