COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace 

His Excellency Mr Bernard Sande was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Commission as High Commissioner for the Republic of Malawi in London.

Mrs Sande was also received by Her Majesty.

His Excellency Mr Mahmud Nacua was received in audience by The Queen and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from Libya to the Court of St James’s.

Mrs Nacua was also received by Her Majesty.

Mr Simon Fraser (Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) was present.

The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, The Canadian Grenadier Guards, received Colonel Alfred Caron (Honorary Colonel), Lieutenant Colonel Richard Pound (Honorary Lieutenant Colonel), Lieutenant Colonel Michael Canavan (Commanding Officer) and Regimental Sergeant Major Robert Kingsley.

The Rt Hon Gregory Knight MP (Vice Chamberlain of the Household) was received in audience by The Queen and presented Addresses from the House of Commons to which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to make reply.

The Queen held a Council at 5.45pm.

There were present: the Rt Hon Nicholas Clegg MP (Lord President), the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP (Secretary of State for Education), the Rt Hon Christopher Grayling MP (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice), the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP (Secretary of State for Defence), the Rt Hon Theresa May MP (Secretary of State for the Home Department) and the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP (Secretary of State for Transport).

Mr Richard Tilbrook was in attendance as Clerk of the Council.

The Rt Hon Nicholas Clegg MP had an audience of Her Majesty before the Council.

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury) had an audience of Her Majesty this evening.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, this morning received Air Marshal Clifford Spink (Master).

His Royal Highness, Founder and Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association, this evening attended a Christmas Dinner and Concert at St James’s Palace.

Clarence House 

The Prince of Wales, Chairman, the Royal Collection Trust, this morning chaired a Meeting of the Trustees.

His Royal Highness, President, Business in the Community, later held a Meeting.

The Prince of Wales this afternoon held a Meeting for Duchy Originals’ Waitrose.

The King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan later called upon His Royal Highness.

The Duchess of Cornwall this morning visited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London SW8, and was received by Colonel Ewen Cameron (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, this afternoon received children from Helen and Douglas House and from the London Taxi Drivers’ Fund for Underprivileged Children and helped them to decorate the Christmas Tree at Clarence House.

St James’s Palace 

The Duke of Cambridge this evening attended the United Kingdom Film Première of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square, London WC2.

Buckingham Palace 

The Duke of York, Colonel-in-Chief, this morning presented medals for Operational Service in Afghanistan to members of the Small Arms School Corps.

His Royal Highness, Patron, Sound Seekers, received Ms Judith Roberts (Chairman) and Ms Lucy Carter (Chief Executive Officer).

The Duke of York this afternoon opened a new Service Training Centre at Bosch Automotive, Aftermarket Service Training Centre, Riverside Way, Uxbridge, Middlesex, and was received by Wing Commander Edna Partridge (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London).

His Royal Highness this evening attended a Reception for the Founders Forum at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, the Mall, London SW1.

Buckingham Palace 

The Princess Royal this morning visited Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, and was received by Her Majesty’s LordLieutenant of Dorset (Mrs Anthony Pitt-Rivers).

Kensington Palace 

The Duchess of Gloucester, Honorary President, the Lawn Tennis Association, this afternoon attended the Annual General Meeting and presented the Meritorious Service Awards at the National Tennis Centre, 100 Priory Lane, Roehampton, London SW15.

St James’s Palace 

The Duke of Kent, Grand Master, United Grand Lodge of England, this evening attended a Royal Alpha Lodge Installation Meeting at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London WC2.

Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park 

Princess Alexandra, Patron, this afternoon visited St Christopher’s Hospice, 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, London SE26.

Her Royal Highness this evening attended the Royal British Legion’s Christmas Celebration Reception and Concert at Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC2.