COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace

Sir Kim Darroch was received in audience by The Queen today and kissed hands upon his appointment as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

Lady Darroch was also received by The Queen.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas was received by Her Majesty upon relinquishing his appointment as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

Her Honour Mrs Lois Mitchell was received by The Queen upon her appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

His Honour Mr Douglas Mitchell was also received by Her Majesty.

The Queen held a Council at 5.30pm.

There were present: the Rt Hon Christopher Grayling MP (Lord President), the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP (Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) and the Rt Hon John Whittingdale MP (Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport).

At the Council The Queen pricked the List of High Sheriffs for the Counties of England (other than Cornwall and those in the Duchy of Lancaster) and Wales.

After the Council, the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP had an audience of Her Majesty when The Queen pricked the List of High Sheriffs for the Counties of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mrs Ceri King was in attendance as Deputy Clerk of the Council.

The Rt Hon Christopher Grayling MP had an audience of Her Majesty before the Council.

The Rt Hon George Osborne MP (Chancellor of the Exchequer) had an audience of The Queen this evening.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Captain General, Royal Marines, this morning received Major General Sir Jeremy Thomas upon relinquishing his appointment as Representative Colonel Commandant and Lieutenant General Sir James Dutton upon assuming the appointment.

His Royal Highness, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, today attended Receptions at St James’s Palace for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in the Award.

The Duke of Cambridge, on behalf of The Queen, held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning.

Clarence House

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall today carried out the following engagements in Croatia.

Their Royal Highnesses this morning visited a Cultural Heritage Festival at Osijek Trvda.

The Prince of Wales this afternoon attended a discussion on inter-faith relations in Slavonia at the Archaeological Museum, Osijek Trvda.

His Royal Highness afterwards met representatives of Osijek’s Software City and local businesses at the Archaeological Museum.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall subsequently met local community leaders, and schoolchildren and representatives involved in a regional peacebuilding and reconciliation initiative, at the Archaeological Museum.

Their Royal Highnesses afterwards visited Osijek Cathedral.

The Prince of Wales later visited Kopacki Wetlands, Osijek.

His Royal Highness, Vice Patron, the British Council, this evening attended a Reception at the Museum of Arts and Crafts, Zagreb, to celebrate the Seventieth Anniversary of the British Council in Croatia.

The Duchess of Cornwall this afternoon met support workers and mentors involved in post-conflict counselling for victims of sexual violence, at the Archaeological Museum.

Her Royal Highness later visited Dakovo State Stud Farm, Osijek.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Cambridge, President, United for Wildlife, this afternoon attended the United for Wildlife International Taskforce for the Transportation of Illegal Wildlife Products declaration and commitments signing ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

The Duke of York this morning received Mr. Alexandre Mars (Founder, Epic Foundation).

His Royal Highness, Patron, Royal Society for Asian Affairs, today received Sir David John (Chairman) and Mr Alan Attryde (Secretary).

The Duke of York, Patron, Lucifer Golfing Society, this afternoon received Mr Ian Mavor upon relinquishing his appointment as Captain and Mr Richard Cunis upon assuming the appointment.

His Royal Highness, Patron, Foundation for Liver Research, received Professor Roger Williams (Director of the Institute of Hepatology).

The Duke of York received General Olusegun Obasanjo (formerly President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria).

His Royal Highness, Patron, Soundseekers, this evening held a Reception at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace

The Earl of Wessex, Trustee, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, this morning attended a Trustees’ Meeting at Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire.

The Countess of Wessex, Patron, Greater London Fund for the Blind, this morning opened the Geranium Shop, 269 Kensington High Street, London W8.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, Tomorrow’s People, this afternoon attended a Women of Achievement Luncheon at the Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, London SW1.

Buckingham Palace

The Princess Royal, Commandant-in-Chief (Youth), St John Ambulance, this afternoon held a First Aid Champions Reception at Buckingham Palace.

Her Royal Highness, Royal Honorary Colonel, University of London Officers’ Training Corps, this evening attended a Dinner at Yeomanry House, Handel Street, London WC1.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester today carried out engagements in Worcestershire and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant (Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Holcroft).

His Royal Highness, Chancellor, University of Worcester, this morning opened the Joel Richards Conference and Media Suite at the University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester.

The Duke of Gloucester afterwards visited Worcester Cathedral to commemorate the Eight Hundredth Anniversary of the Death of King John.

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Malvern Cube, Albert Road North, Malvern.

The Duke of Gloucester later visited Malvern St James Girls’ School, 15 Avenue Road, Great Malvern.

His Royal Highness subsequently visited Morgan Motor Company, Pickersleigh Road, Malvern.

St James’s Palace

The Duke of Kent, Royal Colonel, this morning visited 1st Battalion The Rifles at Lydd Camp, Lydd, Romney Marsh, Kent.