COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace

The Queen departed Balmoral Castle this morning.

The Queen this afternoon visited Southampton Docks and was received at the Quayside by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire (Dame Mary Fagan), Mr Doug Morrison (Port Director, Associated British Ports) and the Mayor of Southampton (Councillor Mrs Carol Cunio).

Her Majesty, escorted by the President and Managing Director of Cunard Line (Mr Peter Shanks), embarked in Queen Elizabeth and was received by the Commander (Captain Christopher Wells).

The Queen toured the Bridge, meeting deck and technical crew members, and sounded the Ship’s whistle.

Her Majesty afterwards viewed a rehearsal by entertainment staff in the Theatre and met members of staff and guests.

The Queen subsequently named Queen Elizabeth.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York today carried out the following engagements in Hanoi, Vietnam.

His Royal Highness his morning launched the HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York Scholarship at the British University Vietnam, the VinCom Tower.

The Duke of York subsequently received a briefing and opened Standard Chartered Bank at the VinCom Tower.

His Royal Highness afterwards opened the new research laboratories at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

The Duke of York later closed a Private Public Partnership Seminar at the Hilton Hotel.

His Royal Highness this afternoon attended a Meeting and Luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister Khiem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Government Guest House.

The Duke of York afterwards attended the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants presentations at the Sofitel Hotel.

His Royal Highness later called upon The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Palace.

The Duke of York subsequently called upon the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the White House.

His Royal Highness later attended a Business Reception given by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (His Excellency Mr Mark Kent) at the Residence.

Buckingham Palace

The Earl of Wessex this morning arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India.

His Royal Highness, Vice Patron, the Commonwealth Games Federation, this afternoon attended the Lawn Bowls Semi Final Pairs at JN Sports Complex, Delhi.

The Earl of Wessex, Vice Patron, the Commonwealth Games Federation, later viewed the Squash Doubles at the Siri Fort Sports Complex, Delhi and the Athletics at JN Sports Complex, Delhi.

The Countess of Wessex this morning departed Heathrow Airport, London, and was received later on arrival at Geneva Airport by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation (His Excellency Mr Peter Gooderham).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Vision 2020: the Right to Sight, this afternoon attended a Luncheon with members of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness at the Royal Manotel Hotel, Geneva.

The Countess of Wessex, Patron, Vision 2020: the Right to Sight, later attended the Countdown to 2020 Reception at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, Geneva.

Mrs Suzanne Lofthouse-Jackson is in attendance.

Buckingham Palace

The Princess Royal this morning opened Cheshire Constabulary Tactical Training Centre at Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire (the Viscount Ashbrook).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, the Butler Trust, this afternoon visited Her Majesty’s Prison Styal, Styal Road, Styal, Wilmslow, Cheshire.

The Princess Royal later opened the Centenary Garden at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Cavendish Road, Bowdon, Altrincham, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester (Mr Warren Smith).

Her Royal Highness, Royal Patron, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, this evening attended the Annual Awards Dinner at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London EC2.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester this evening attended a performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, London SE1.