COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace

His Excellency Mr Eduardo dos Santos was received in audience by The Queen today and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Federative Republic of Brazil to the Court of St James’s.

Her Excellency Mrs Teresita de Jesus Vicente Sotolongo was received in audience by Her Majesty and presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Republic of Cuba to the Court of St James’s.

Mr Antonio Rogelio Rodriguez Valcarcel was also received by The Queen.

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

Her Majesty, Colonel-in-Chief, The Royal Lancers, received Major General Patrick Marriott upon relinquishing his appointment as Colonel, The Queen’s Royal Lancers, and Brigadier Andrew Hughes upon assuming his appointment as Colonel, The Royal Lancers. The Queen also received Lieutenant Colonel Julian Buczacki upon relinquishing his appointment as Commanding Officer, The Queen’s Royal Lancers, and Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Mudd upon assuming his appointment as Commanding Officer, The Royal Lancers.

Mr Kristan Hopkins 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 and The Duke of Edinburgh this afternoon visited St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, London SW1, to celebrate the Sixtieth Anniversary of the rebuilding of the Church and were received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Mr Kenneth Olisa) and the Minister (the Reverend Angus MacLeod).

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness met members of the Sixtieth Anniversary Committee before attending a Service of Thanksgiving.

Afterwards The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh viewed an exhibition about the Church, the history of the building and the present life and people of the Church.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness subsequently attended a Reception with members of the Congregation in the Lower Hall.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief, The Rifles, this evening attended the Regimental Awards Dinner at Guildhall, London EC2.

Kensington Palace

Prince Henry of Wales this morning called upon The President of the Republic of South Africa at the Presidential Guest House, Sefako Makatho, Pretoria, South Africa.

His Royal Highness today met students from Nelson Mandela — the Champion Within and The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme at Siyabonga Secondary School, Soweto, Johannesburg.

Prince Henry of Wales this afternoon attended a Youth Empowerment Exposition at the Bus Factory, Newtown, Johannesburg.

His Royal Highness afterwards attended a “Remembering Madiba” tribute at the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, Johannesburg.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York this evening attended a Reunion Dinner of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen at HMS Collingwood, Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire.

Buckingham Palace

The Earl and Countess of Wessex this afternoon attended the Not Forgotten Association Christmas Party at St James’s Palace.

His Royal Highness, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, later held a Meeting at Buckingham Palace.

The Earl of Wessex, Royal Colonel, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, and The Countess of Wessex, Royal Colonel, 5th Battalion The Rifles, this evening attended The Rifles’ Regimental Awards Dinner at Guildhall, London EC2.

Buckingham Palace

The Princess Royal, Patron, Northern Lighthouse Board, this morning visited Oban Base, Gallanach Road, Oban, Argyllshire, and was received by Mr James Mellor (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute).

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester, Joint President, Cancer Research UK, this afternoon attended a Concert of Christmas Carols and Readings in Glasgow Cathedral and was received by Mrs Jean McFadden (Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Glasgow).

The Duchess of Gloucester, Royal Colonel, 7th Battalion The Rifles, this evening attended The Rifles’ Regimental Awards Dinner at Guildhall, London EC2.