COURT CIRCULAR

Farmleigh, Dublin, Ireland

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh departed from Royal Air Force Northolt this morning for the State Visit to Ireland.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were received at the Airport by the Earl Peel (Lord Chamberlain), Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Sir David Brewer), Ms Barbara Jones (Counsellor, Embassy of Ireland) and Group Captain Timothy O’Brien (Station Commander).

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh today arrived at Baldonnel Airport, Dublin, and were received by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland (His Excellency Mr Julian King), Mr Eamonn Gilmore (Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs), Mr Robert McDonagh (Ambassador from Ireland to the Court of St James’s) and Brigadier General Paul Fry (Chief of Staff of the Air Corps).

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness drove to Áras an Uachtaráin and were received by The President of Ireland and Dr Martin McAleese and Mr Enda Kenny (Taoiseach).

The Queen inspected the Guard of Honour.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were entertained to Luncheon by The President of Ireland at Áras an Uachtaráin.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness, with The President of Ireland and Dr McAleese, later visited Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square East, Dublin, and were received by Mr Alan Shatter (Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence).

The Queen laid a wreath.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh afterwards visited Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin, and were received by the Provost (Dr John Hegarty).

Her Majesty, escorted by the Provost, and His Royal Highness, escorted by Mr Robin Adams (Librarian and College Archivist), toured the College, viewing conservation work and meeting students and staff.

The following are in attendance: the Rt Hon William Hague MP (Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), Diana, Lady Farnham, the Hon Mary Morrison, the Rt Hon Christopher Geidt, Mr Edward Young, Mrs Ailsa Anderson, Dr Edward Perkins, Ms Colette Saunders, Surgeon Captain David Hett RN, Group Captain Timothy Hewlett, Commander Patrick Lacey RN, Major Dan Rex and Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York today carried out the following engagements in Beijing, China.

His Royal Highness this morning attended a Meeting with the President of BP at the offices of BP.

The Duke of York afterwards attended a Meeting with the Chairman of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation at the offices of the Corporation.

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited the Burberry shop in Beijing.

The Duke of York later attended a Meeting with the Chairman of Minsheng Bank.

His Royal Highness subsequently attended a Meeting with Vice Premier Li Keqiang in the Great Hall of the People.

The Duke of York this evening arrived in Chongqing and was received by Her Majesty’s Consul-General for Chongqing (Mr Simon Lever).

Buckingham Palace

The Countess of Wessex this morning visited the Festival Village at the Du Maurier Festival, Fowey, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall (the Lady Mary Holborow).

Her Royal Highness later attended a Tourism Reception at Fowey Hall Hotel, Fowey.

The Countess of Wessex this afternoon visited flood damaged premises in Mevagissey, and opened the renovated Tourist Information Centre.

Her Royal Highness later visited the Merlin Project, Cornwall Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, Bradbury House, Hewas Water, St Austell, Cornwall.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester this morning visited the new Centre for Disability Studies, 34 Rocheway, Rochford, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex (the Lord Petre).

His Royal Highness afterwards opened the new West Wing Building at Westcliff High School for Girls, Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

The Duke of Gloucester this afternoon visited Gateway 97.8, Eastgate Centre, Basildon, Essex.

His Royal Highness afterwards opened Basildon Sporting Village, Gloucester Park North, Basildon.

The Duchess of Gloucester, Colonel-in-Chief, Canadian Forces Dental Services, this afternoon received Colonel James Taylor (Director).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Association, later received Mr Christopher Kemball (Chairman) and Mr Fergus Logan (Chief Executive).

The Duchess of Gloucester, Protector, the Anglo-Danish Society’s Scholarship Programme, this evening attended a Reception at the Residence of the Danish Ambassador in London.

St James’s Palace

The Duke of Kent, President in Chief, British Racing Drivers’ Club, this morning officially opened the new Wing at Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park

Princess Alexandra, President, Royal Humane Society, this morning attended the Annual General Court at Haberdashers’ Hall, 18 West Smithfield, London EC1.