Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

8 April: The Princess Royal, President, Royal Yachting Association, today attended the UK Youth Championships, Bala Sailing Club, Gwynedd, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant (Mr Meuric Rees).

WINDSOR CASTLE

8 April: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Bridgwater Station this morning and were received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Somerset (Colonel Walter Luttrell).

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness drove to Wells Cathedral and were received by the Bishop of Bath and Wells (the Right Reverend James Thompson) and the Dean of Wells (the Very Reverend Richard Lewis).

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended the Maundy Service at which Her Majesty distributed the Royal Maundy.

The Bishop of St Albans (the Right Reverend John Taylor, Lord High Almoner) and the Reverend William Booth (Sub-Almoner) were present.

The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard were on duty.

Afterwards Her Majesty and His Royal Highness attended a Reception in the Bishop's Palace before walking to the Town Hall where the Queen honoured the Mayor of Wells (Mr Alan Hague) with her presence at Luncheon.

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

ST JAMES'S PALACE

8 April: The Duchess of Kent this morning visited Selsey Lifeboat Station, Selsey and was met on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for West Sussex (His Grace The Duke of Richmond and Gordon).

Her Royal Highness this afternoon visited Portsmouth Lifeboat Station, Portsmouth and was met on arrival by her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Hampshire (Lieutenant Colonel Sir James Scott Bt), and later visited Hayling Island Lifeboat Station, Hayling Island, Portsmouth.

Mrs Julian Tomkins was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Duchess of Kent attends a Service at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, London EC3.

Changing of the Guard

The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 11am; 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Irish Guards.

Appointments

The Queen has announced the following honorary appointments: The Prince of Wales, to be Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Valley; The Duke of Gloucester, to be Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Odiham; The Duke of Kent, to be Honorary Air Commodore, RAF Leuchars.