Court circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

3 December: The Queen this afternoon visited HMS Lancaster, West India Docks, London E14, and was received by the Commanding Officer (Commander Mark Sloan), the Chairman, London Docklands Development Corporation (Mr Michael Pickard) and the Mayor of Tower Hamlets (Councillor John Snooks).

Her Majesty toured the ship and afterwards honoured the Commanding Officer with her presence at Luncheon.

The Duchess of Grafton, Mr Robin Janvrin and Lieutenant-Colonel Blair Stewart-Wilson were in attendance.

The Duke of Edinburgh today attended a Ceremony to launch HMCC Sentinel at Portchester Shipyard, Fareham, and was received by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach (Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire).

Major Ian Grant RM was in attendance.

The Prince of Wales, on behalf of The Queen, held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning.

3 December: The Princess Royal, Patron, British School of Osteopathy, this morning attended a Graduation Ceremony at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, London WC2.

Her Royal Highness this afternoon opened the new Inter-Action Trust's Silver Jubilee Celebrations at HMS President (1918), Victoria Embankment, London EC4.

Mrs Malcolm Innes was in attendance.

ST JAMES'S PALACE

3 December: The Prince of Wales, President, Business in the Community, this afternoon attended a meeting at St James's Palace with business leaders and community representatives who have participated in the 'Seeing is Believing' programme.

KENSINGTON PALACE

3 December: The Princess of Wales, Patron, Headway National Head Injuries Association, this afternoon attended a Luncheon at the London Hilton, Park Lane, London W1.

Captain Edward Musto RM was in attendance.

3 December: The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, President, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, today visited Plymouth and was received by Her Majesty's Lord- Lieutenant for the County of Devon (Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl of Morley).

Her Royal Highness this afternoon visited the Society's Devon Child Protection Centre in Mannamead Road.

The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon this evening attended a Banquet in aid of the Plymouth and District Branch of the Society at the Moat House Hotel.

Mrs Jane Stevens was in attendance.

3 December: The Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior, Order of St John, this morning received Mr Timothy Everard on relinquishing the appointment of Secretary-General and Sir Colin Imray on assuming the appointment.

The Duchess of Gloucester today visited Cumbria and was received on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria (Sir Charles Graham Bt).

Her Royal Highness visited Dalton Abbeyfield House for the Elderly, Dalton- in-Furness and afterwards visited Kendal College, Kendal. Later The Duchess of Gloucester opened Georgian House, Probation Office and Resource Centre, Lowther Street, Carlisle, Cumbria.

Mrs Howard Page was in attendance.

YORK HOUSE

3 December: The Duke of Kent, Vice- Chairman, the British Overseas Trade Board, this morning visited Dennis Specialist Vehicles, Dennis Way, Slyfield Industrial Estate, Slyfield and was met on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Surrey (Mr Richard Thornton).

His Royal Highness, Chancellor, the University of Surrey, this afternoon opened the Environmental Flow Research Centre and later presided at the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony at Guildford Cathedral followed by a dinner for honorary graduates at the University of Surrey.

Mr Nicolas Adamson was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief, today attends the 250th Anniversary celebrations of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment (Berkshire and Wiltshire), Reading, Berkshire; and tomorrow, as Colonel, Grenadier Guards, attends the Laying Up of the Colour of the 2nd Battalion at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, London SW1.

Changing of the Guard

TODAY: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 11am. TOMORROW: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 10am; 1st Battalion Irish Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Scots Guards.