COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace 

The Queen today continued the visit to the East Midlands to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and was received at Hitchin Railway Station by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire (the Countess of Verulam).

Her Majesty drove to Hitchin Market Square and, escorted by Sir Simon Bowes Lyon (formerly Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire), met local shopkeepers.

The Queen afterwards officially opened the new Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit at Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, and was received Mr Richard Beazley (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire), the Chairman of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (Mr Ian Morfett) and the Mayor of Stevenage Borough Council (Councillor John Lloyd).

Her Majesty, escorted by Ms Angela Thompson (Director of Nursing, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust) and Ms Christine Bell (Head of Midwifery, Lister Hospital), toured the midwife-led Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit, viewing birthing rooms and meeting midwives, consultants and hospital staff, and mothers and Jubilee babies.

The Queen later visited Hatfield Park, Great North Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, and, having been received by the Marquess of Salisbury and the Mayor of Hatfield Town (Councillor Ms Caron Juggins), planted a tree in Jubilee Copse and officially dedicated the Copse.

Her Majesty was entertained to Luncheon this afternoon by the Marquess of Salisbury at Hatfield House.

Clarence House 

The Prince of Wales, President, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, this morning held a Meeting at Clarence House.

His Royal Highness, Patron, the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, this afternoon attended the Annual Re-union at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1.

The Sultan of Oman called upon The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall this afternoon.

His Royal Highness this evening held a Reception for the British Fashion Council at St James’s Palace.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, War Memorials Trust, this morning attended a “SmartWater” Ceremony at the Royal Artillery Memorial, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1.

Her Royal Highness afterwards visited the Diamond Jubilee Flower Festival at St Mary’s Church, Barnes, London SW13, and was received by Wing Commander Michael Dudgeon (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London).

Buckingham Palace 

The Duke of York, Commodore-in-Chief, Fleet Air Arm, this morning attended a Service to commemorate the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict in the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church, Yeovilton, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset (Lady Gass).

His Royal Highness, Patron, the Fleet Air Arm Museum, this afternoon visited the Falklands Exhibition at the Museum, Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovil, Somerset.

The Duke of York, Patron, Fly Navy Heritage Trust, afterwards visited the Trust’s Hangars at Royal Naval Air Station.

Buckingham Palace 

The Earl of Wessex, accompanied by The Countess of Wessex, this evening took the salute at the Household Division Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade, London SW1.

The Countess of Wessex, Colonel-in-Chief, The South Alberta Light Horse, this afternoon received Colonel Angus Watt (Honorary Lieutenant).

Buckingham Palace 

The Princess Royal, Patron, Sense — the National Deafblind and Rubella Association, this morning attended a Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy Discussion, 76 Portland Place, London W1.

Her Royal Highness, President, Save the Children UK, this afternoon attended a Summer Tea Party at Spencer House, 27 St James’s Place, London SW1.

The Princess Royal, Honorary Fellow, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, this evening attended the Annual Awards Dinner at the Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopsgate, London EC2.

Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park 

Princess Alexandra this afternoon opened a new Ward at East Surrey Hospital, Canada Avenue, Redhill, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey (Dame Sarah Goad).

Her Royal Highness afterwards visited Dungate Manor Care Home, Flanchford Road, Reigate Heath, Surrey.

Princess Alexandra later visited Medical Engineering Resource Unit, Eclipse Estate, 30 West Hill, Epsom, Surrey.