COURT CIRCULAR

Buckingham Palace

The King this morning officially opened the Thames Tideway Tunnel in London.

His Majesty, having been received at Westminster Millennium Pier, Victoria Embankment, by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Sir Kenneth Olisa) and the Transport Commissioner of Transport for London (Mr Andrew Lord), embarked in passenger ferry MARS CLIPPER and travelled downstream, before being received at Blackfriars Pier, Upper Thames Street, London EC4, by the Rt Hon Steven Reed MP (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the Chairman of Bazalgette Tunnel Limited, trading as Tideway (Mr Michael Queen) and Mr Andrew Mitchell (Chief Executive).

His Majesty, escorted by the Chief Executive, visited the Thames Tideway Undercroft work site, viewing footage and data from inside the Tunnel and meeting members of staff, before viewing the ventilation columns and thence walking along the river wall to a newly-created planted walkway, Bazalgette Embankment, at 15 Victoria Embankment, London EC4.

The King and Queen gave an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present.

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 Band of the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre and the Band of the Welsh Guards played selections of music during the afternoon.

Kensington Palace

The Prince of Wales, Founder and President, the Earthshot Prize, this morning received Mr Jason Knauf (Chief Executive) at Windsor Castle.

St James’s Palace

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Patron, London Children’s Flower Society, this morning visited Newman Catholic College, Harlesden Road, London NW10, and was received by Miss Mei Sim Lai (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London).

St James’s Palace

The Princess Royal, Patron, Force Atlantic 2024, this morning visited the Transatlantic Rowing Team at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, and was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire (Mr Andrew Try).

Her Royal Highness, Patron, United Kingdom Sailing Academy, this afternoon attended a Founders’ Club Luncheon at Fortnum and Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1.

The Princess Royal, President, RedR UK, this evening attended a Reception at Arup, 8 Fitzroy Street, London W1, and was received by Ms Roxane Zand (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London).

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Kent this evening attended a Concert by the Parliament Choir to commemorate the Eightieth Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day at Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster, London SW1.