COURT CIRCULAR

Hillsborough Castle

The King and Queen this afternoon arrived at Belfast City Airport and were received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast (Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle).

Their Majesties drove to the Coronation Garden in Hazelbank Park, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, and were received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim (Mr David McCorkell), the Garden Designer (Mr Diarmuid Gavin) and the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey (Alderman Stephen Ross).

The King, escorted by the Mayor, and The Queen, escorted by the Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council (Mrs Jacqueline Dixon), toured the Garden, meeting the design, construction and gardening teams, and viewing the Coronation Robe Project and the Coronation Microgreens Horticulture Project.

Their Majesties met representatives from the local community and officially opened the Coronation Garden.

The King and Queen afterwards drove to Hillsborough Castle and were received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Down (Mr Gawn Rowan Hamilton) and the Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces (Mr John Barnes).

Their Majesties met Mrs. Catherine Roulston (Principal of Blythefield Primary School) and pupils from the School who contributed to a winning entry of the School Coronation Bench Competition.

The Rt Hon Christopher Heaton-Harris MP (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) was received in audience by The King at Hillsborough Castle.

The King and Queen later attended an Afternoon Party in the garden of Hillsborough Castle.

The King was represented by Canon Paul Wright (Sub-Dean of His Majesty’s Chapels Royal) at the Funeral of the Venerable Martyn Gough (formerly Chaplain to The late Queen) in St Martin’s Church, Salisbury, Wiltshire, this afternoon.

St James’s Palace*

The Duke of Edinburgh today undertook engagements in Prague, the Czech Republic.

His Royal Highness this morning attended a Meeting with The President of the Czech Republic and Members of the Cabinet at Prague Castle.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, later visited Prince Philip Alley.

His Royal Highness, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, this afternoon visited the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and attended a Roundtable Discussion on non-formal education.

His Royal Highness, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, later attended a Reception for young people who have achieved the Gold Standard in the Award at the Senate of the Parliament of Czech Republic.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, this evening attended a Dinner at Lobkowicz Palace, Prague Castle.

The Duchess of Edinburgh carried out engagements in Erbil, Iraq, on 23rd and 24th May in support of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, during which Her Royal Highness called upon Mr Masrour Barzani (Prime Minister) and Mr Qubad Talabani (Deputy Prime Minister).

St James’s Palace

The Princess Royal, Royal Colonel, 1st Battalion The Ranger Regiment, this morning visited the Battalion at Palace Barracks, Holywood, County Down.

Kensington Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace to mark the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Royal Kennel Club.

His Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms and The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard were on duty.

The Bands of The Rifles and the Brigade of Gurkhas played selections of music during the afternoon.

*Addendum:

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s engagements in Iraq were added to the Court Circular on May 26th.