Court circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

23 February: The Queen held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace this morning.

Squadron Leader Brian Sowerby was received by The Queen upon relinquishing his appointment as Assistant Secretary, Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, when Her Majesty invested him with the Insignia of a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.

The Duke of Edinburgh this morning visited the headquarters of the Marine Society, Lambeth Road, London SE1.

His Royal Highness, Grand Master, the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, this evening attended a Court Meeting and Court Dinner at Merchant Taylors' Hall, London EC2.

Wing Commander Christopher Moran RAF was in attendance.

By command of The Queen the Viscount St Davids (Lord-in-Waiting) was present at Heathrow Airport, London, this afternoon upon the Arrival of The President of the State of Israel and Mrs Herzog and welcomed His Excellency and Mrs Herzog on behalf of Her Majesty.

Mrs John Dugdale has succeeded the Lady Susan Hussey as Lady-in- Waiting to The Queen.

CLARENCE HOUSE

23 February: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was entertained at luncheon today by the Canadian High Commissioner (His Excellency Mr Fredrik S. Eaton) at 3 Grosvenor Square.

Miss Jane Walker-Okeover and Sir Martin Gilliat were in attendance.

Miss Jane Walker-Okeover has succeeded Dame Frances Campbell-Preston as Lady-in-Waiting to Her Majesty.

ST JAMES'S PALACE

23 February: The Prince of Wales this morning received Professor Sir John Meurig Thomas (University of Wales).

His Royal Highness, President, The Prince's Trust and the Princess's Scottish Youth Business Trust, this evening attended a Reception and Preview of his Watercolour Exhibition given by His Royal Highness's trusts in Scotland for their supporters at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Mr Hugh Merrill was in attendance.

KENSINGTON PALACE

23 February: The Princess of Wales this morning visited the West London Mission's Lambeth Walk-in- Centre, 3 Lambeth Road, London SE1.

Captain Edward Musto RM was in attendance.

23 February: The Duchess of Gloucester this afternoon visited Speech Therapy Units at Ley Hill First School, Four Oaks, and afterwards opened Solihull Care Housing Association Ltd's refurbished Swallows Meadow Nursing and Residential Home, Shirley, Solihull.

Her Royal Highness was received on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord- Lieutenant for the West Midlands (the Right Hon the Earl of Aylesford).

Mrs Howard Page was in attendance.

YORK HOUSE

23 February: The Duchess of Kent this evening attended a reception by the British Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech at the Stationers' Hall, London EC4.

Mrs Fiona Henderson was in attendance.