COURT CIRCULAR

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King this morning was received in the garden of the Palace of Holyroodhouse by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh (Councillor Robert Aldridge, the Rt Hon the Lord Provost) and members of the City of Edinburgh Council, when the Rt Hon the Lord Provost surrendered to The King the Keys of the City, which His Majesty returned to him.

A Guard of Honour found by The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers, under the command of Captain, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Graham, was mounted in the garden. Balaklava Company, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse were on duty.

Afterwards The King was received inside the Palace by the Hereditary Keeper (the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon).

His Majesty later held an Investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Major General Matthew Sykes was received by The King this afternoon upon relinquishing his appointment as a Gentleman Usher to His Majesty.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Vernon was received by The King upon relinquishing his appointment as Comptroller, Lord Chamberlain’s Office, when His Majesty conferred upon him the honour of Knighthood and invested him with the Insignia of a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Mrs Alison Johnstone MSP (Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament) was received by The King.

Afterwards The King and Queen unveiled a painting depicting the Honours of Scotland.

Mr James Bewsher, winner of the annual shooting event of The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers, was presented to His Majesty and received The King’s Prize.

The Queen was present.

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

The Princess Royal was present.

The King’s Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers and the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse were on duty.

The Band of The Royal Marines Scotland, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society played selections of music during the afternoon.

The Queen this morning visited Ratho Library, Wynd Road, Ratho, in advance of Edinburgh International Book Festival and, having been received by Sir Ian Rankin (Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh), viewed the Mobile Library bus and officially re-opened the Library.

The King was represented by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal (former Commonwealth Secretary-General) at the Memorial Service for Sir Shridath Ramphal (former Commonwealth Secretary-General) which was held at The Queen’s Chapel, Marlborough Road, London SW1, this morning.

The Duke of Kent was represented by Mr Nicolas Adamson.

Kensington Palace

The Prince of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, today undertook the following engagements related to the “Homewards” programme.

His Royal Highness this morning attended a Showcase at the Mowbray, 118 Mowbray Street, Neepsend, Sheffield, and was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire (Professor Dame Hilary Chapman).

The Prince of Wales later visited Meadowhead School Academy Trust, Dyche Lane, Sheffield.

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited residents in a private rented property in eastern Sheffield.

St James’s Palace

The Duke of Edinburgh this morning attended Canada Day celebrations at LeBreton Flats Park, Ottawa, Ontario, and was received by the Governor-General of Canada (the Rt Hon Mary Simon).

His Royal Highness, Honorary Deputy Commissioner, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (the Hon Edith Dumont), this afternoon visited the Musical Ride Stables, 1 Sandridge Road, Ottawa.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Patron, Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations, today attended Hertfordshire Schools Food and Farming Day, Hertfordshire Showground, Dunstable Road, St Albans, and was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire (Mr Robert Voss).

St James’s Palace

The Princess Royal, Master, the Corporation of Trinity House, this morning attended the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation’s World Marine Aids to Navigation Day at Trinity House, Tower Hill, London EC3.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester, Patron, London Topographical Society, this afternoon attended the Annual General Meeting at St Pancras New Church, Euston Road, London NW1.