Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

13 May: The Queen this morning opened the new Chelsea Westminster Hospital and was received by Dr Brian Mawhinney (Minister of State for Department of Health) and the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Councillor Miss Elizabeth Christmas).

Her Majesty toured the hospital, escorted by the Chairman, North West Thames Health Authority (Sir William Doughty), met staff and patients and subsequently unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The Lady Elton, Mr Robin Janvrin and Major James Patrick were in attendance.

13 May: The Prince Edward this morning left Heathrow Airport, London, for Spain to attend the inauguration of the Victorian Paintings Exhibition, the Prado, Madrid.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sean O'Dwyer and Mr Christopher Lloyd were in attendance.

13 May: The Princess Royal, Patron, the Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit, this morning attended a Conference for Voluntary Organisations 'Don't Take it as Read', Church House Conference Centre, Dean's Yard, Westminster, London SW1.

Mrs Charles Ritchie was in attendance.

Her Royal Highness this afternoon opened Manchester Airport Railway Station and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester (Colonel Jim Timmins).

The Princess Royal afterwards visited Manchester 2000 Olympic facilities and attended a Reception at KPMG Peat Marwick, St James' Square, and a Dinner at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Midland Hotel.

KENSINGTON PALACE

13 May: The Princess of Wales this evening attended a Gala Charity Concert in aid of the Council for Music in Hospitals, St John's, Smith Square, London SW1.

Mrs Max Pike and Captain Edward Musto RM were in attendance.

13 May: The Duke of Gloucester today visited Leicestershire and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Leicestershire (Mr Timothy Brooks).

In the morning His Royal Highness opened the Leicestershire Record Office, Long Street, Wigston Magna and later visited Wigston Framework Knitters Museum.

In the afternoon The Duke of Gloucester opened the new offices of Blaby District Council, Narborough and afterwards opened Skelton Court Care Home for the Elderly, Ryder Road, Kirby Frith.

Finally His Royal Highness visited the Leicestershire Scout Headquarters on the occasion of their Sixtieth Anniversary, Regent Road, Leicester.

Major Nicholas Barne was in attendance.

The Duchess of Gloucester today visited Royal Air Force Boulmer and was received on arrival in Northumberland by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland (the Viscount Ridley KG).

Mrs Michael Wigley was in attendance.

YORK HOUSE

13 May: The Duke of Kent, Vice- Chairman, the British Overseas Trade Board this morning visited Hi-Lo Manufacturing Limited, Nathan Way, London SE28, and this afternoon visited Waddington and Duval Limited, Lee Road, Merton, SW19, and Philips Printed Circuits (United Kingdom) Limited, Commerce Way, Croydon, Surrey.

Captain the Honourable Tom Coke was in attendance.

The Duchess of Kent, Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, the Royal Dragoon Guards, this afternoon left RAF Northolt for Paderborn, Germany.

Mrs Peter Troughton was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Duke of Kent, President, the Imperial War Museum, visits the American Air Museum in Great Britain at RAF Duxford, Cambridgeshire; and later, as Member of the Honourable Artillery Company, dines with the Mess Club, Armoury House, London EC1.

Changing of the Guard

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 11.30am; 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Welsh Guards.