COURT CIRCULAR

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King and Queen, accompanied by The Prince William, Duke of Rothesay, and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, this morning attended a Service in St Giles’ Cathedral for the Installation of Her Majesty as a Royal Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the Baroness Black of Strome and the Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws as Ladies of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, The Duke of Edinburgh as a Royal Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, and Professor Sir Godfrey Palmer as a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses were received at St Giles’ Cathedral by the Chancellor of the Thistle (the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry) and the Reverend Dr George Whyte (Interim Moderator and Locum of St Giles’).

Master Alexander Trotter of Mortonhall, younger (Page of Honour to The King), was in attendance.

A Guard of Honour was mounted at the West Door by The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers, with the Colour of the Royal Company, accompanied by the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in Parliament Square West.

The King and Queen gave a Lunch Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the Knights and Ladies of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle.

The following were invited: the Lord and Lady Mackay of Clashfern, the Lord and Lady Wilson of Tillyorn, the Lord and Lady Steel of Aikwood, the Lord and Lady Robertson of Port Ellen, the Lord and Lady Cullen of Whitekirk, the Lord and Lady Hope of Craighead, the Lord and Lady Smith of Kelvin, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry and Mrs Henry Trotter of Mortonhall, Sir Ian and Lady Wood, Lady Elish Angiolini and Mr Domenico Angiolini, Sir George and Lady Reid, the Baroness Black of Strome and Mr Donald Findlay, the Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws and Professor Iain Hutchinson, Professor Sir Godfrey and Lady Palmer, the Dean of the Thistle (the Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson), Mrs Christopher Roads (Secretary of the Thistle), Dr Joseph Morrow (Lord Lyon King of Arms) and Rear-Admiral Christopher Layman (Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod).

The King and Queen this afternoon attended a Celebration at Edinburgh Castle to mark the Nine Hundredth Anniversary of the City of Edinburgh and were received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh (Councillor Robert Aldridge, the Rt Hon the Lord Provost) and Lord Lyon King of Arms (Dr Joseph Morrow).

The Governor of Edinburgh Castle (Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich) surrendered to The King the Keys of the Castle which His Majesty returned to him.

The King and Queen viewed dance performances, visited stalls showcasing Scottish charities and organisations and Edinburgh’s culture, education and diversity, and met members of the local community.

Mr John Swinney MSP (First Minister of the Scottish Government) was received by The King this evening.

The King was represented by Commodore Jonathan Handley RN (Gentlemen Usher) at the Funeral of Commodore Laurie Hopkins RN (Gentleman Usher to The late Queen and Extra Gentleman Usher to The King) which was held at St John the Baptist Church, Westbourne, Hampshire, this afternoon.

St James’s Palace

The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel, Scots Guards, this afternoon visited the Scots Guards Club, 2 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester, Patron, the Museum of London, this morning received Mr Clive Bannister (Chairman) and Miss Sharon Ament (Director).

His Royal Highness, Grand Prior, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, this evening held a Dinner at Windsor Castle.

The Duchess of Gloucester, Honorary President, today attended the Lawn Tennis Association President’s Lunch and afterwards attended the Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London SW19.