Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

8 July: The King and Queen of Norway, with the Norwegian Suite in attendance, left the Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning upon the conclusion of the State Visit to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness later left the Palace.

By command of The Queen, the Earl of Airlie KT (Lord Chamberlain) was present at Royal Air Force Turnhouse this morning upon the Departure of The King and Queen of Norway and bade farewell to Their Majesties on behalf of Her Majesty.

8 July: The Prince Edward, Chairman, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Special Projects Group, this afternoon launched the 'Challenge at Work - a Devon Approach' at the offices of London and Manchester Assurance Company Limited, Exeter, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Devon (Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Morley).

His Royal Highness later joined the Award's Exmoor Expedition Assessment Panel at Exmoor House, Dulverton, and was received by Captain Robert Lloyd (Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset).

The Prince Edward this evening visited an Award expedition camp and participants working on a conservation project at Haddon Hill, Exmoor National Park, Somerset.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sean O'Dwyer was in attendance.

KENSINGTON PALACE

8 July: The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron, National Association for Gifted Children, today received Mr Michael Short on his retirement as Director.

YORK HOUSE

8 July: The Duke of Kent, Chancellor, the University of Surrey, today presided at the Conferment of Degrees Ceremony at Guildford Cathedral, Guildford, and this evening attended the Graduation Ball at the University of Surrey,

Surrey.

Mr Nicolas Adamson was in attendance.

The Duchess of Kent this morning presented The Queen's Award for Technological Achievement to Westlands Helicopters Limited, Yeovil, and was met on arrival by Mr Alan Jones (Vice Lord-

Lieutenant of Somerset).

Her Royal Highness later visited the Princess Margaret (Barnardos) School for Handicapped Children, Trull Road, Taunton, and was met on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Somerset (Colonel Sir Walter Luttrell).

The Duchess of Kent this afternoon opened the Craft Design Technology Centre, Queen's College, Taunton, and visited the new Headquarters of the Western Provident Association, Rivergate House, Blackbrook Park, Taunton, Somerset.

Mrs Colin Marsh was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

Prince Edward, Chairman, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Special Projects Group, today attends the South West Regional Conference for Young People at Kilve Court, Kilve, Somerset. The Duchess of Gloucester attends Founders' Day at Pangbourne College, Reading, Berkshire. Princess Alexandra, President, WWF UK (World Wide Fund for Nature), visits the WWF Wildlife Garden at the Hampton Court Garden Festival, Hampton Court Palace, Surrey.

The Queen's Gallery

TODAY: The Queen's Gallery opens between 10am and 5pm, and last admission is at 4.30pm. TOMORROW: The Queen's Gallery opens between 2pm and 5pm, and last admission is at 4.30pm.

Changing of the Guard

TODAY: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 11am; 7 Company Coldstream Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Scots Guards. TOMORROW: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 10am; 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Scots Guards.

Windsor Castle

TODAY and TOMORROW: The Precincts and State Apartments at Windsor Castle open between 10am and 6pm.

Bands playing in the Royal Parks

TODAY: St James's Park, Royal Engineers' Corps, 12.30pm-2pm, 5.30pm-7pm; Regent's Park, Band of the Metropolitan Police, 12.30pm-2pm, 5.30pm-7pm. TOMORROW: St James's Park, Royal Engineers' Corps, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Regent's Park, Band of the Metropolitan Police, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Hyde Park, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Greenwich Park, Hitchin Town Band, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm.