Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

16 July: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh today visited East Kent and were received at Margate Station by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Kent (the Lord Kingsdown).

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness this morning drove to Ramsgate Harbour and were received by the Chairman, Thanet District Council (Mrs Margaret Mortlock), the Chairman, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (Mr Michael Vernon), the Director (Lieutenant-Commander Brian Miles) and the Mayor of Ramsgate Town (Councillor John Kirby).

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended a Service of Dedication of a new lifeboat presented by the National Police Lifeboat Appeal (Chairman, Dr Ian Oliver) and Her Majesty named the lifeboat Her Majesty the Queen.

The Queen, with the Duke of Edinburgh, afterwards honoured the Commodore, Royal Temple Yacht Club (Mr Frank Roberts) with her presence at Luncheon.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness this afternoon visited Sericol Group Limited, Broadstairs, and were received by the Director Chemicals, Sericol Limited (Dr Gerald Owen) and the Mayor of Broadstairs and St Peters (Mrs Barbara Hooker).

Having toured the premises, escorted by the Chief Executive, Sericol International (Mr Warren Galloway), The Queen opened the new Sericol International Offices in Pysons Road and, with the Duke of Edinburgh, met those involved in the project which won the Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement in 1993.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness later visited the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital, Margate, were received by the Major of Margate Town (Councillor Charles Young) and toured the hospital, escorted by the Chief Executive (Mr Barry Page) and the Director of Orthopaedics and Accident and Emergency (Mr Martin Conybeare).

The Lady Farnham, Sir Kenneth Scott and Major James Patrick were in attendance.

ST JAMES'S PALACE

16 July: The Prince of Wales this afternoon gave a Garden Party for volunteers who assist the Prince's Trusts and other organisations.

KENSINGTON PALACE

16 July: The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon this afternoon visited Northumberland and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland (the Viscount Ridley). Her Royal Highness attended a ceremony at Cawfields to mark the designation by Unesco of Hadrian's Wall as a World Heritage Site.

The Hon Mrs Whitehead and Major the Lord Napier and Ettrick were in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

Prince Edward, Patron, the Ocean Youth Club, today undertakes a number of engagements associated with the 1993 Tall Ships Race in Newcastle upon Tyne; and as Patron of The London Mozart Players and President of the Lord's Taverners, today attends a 'Summer Prom' followed by Dinner at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon. The Prince of Wales, Patron, Tetbury Church Restoration and Improvement Fund, tomorrow attends a fund-raising Opera at Chavenage, Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

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; 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards mounts the Queen's Guard, at Buckingham Palace, 11.30am, band provided by the Grenadier Guards.

Bands playing in the

Royal Parks

TODAY: St James's Park, Eltham Concert Band, 12.30pm-2pm, 5.30pm-7pm; Regent's Park, Southern Concert Brass, 12.30pm-2pm, 5.30pm-7pm. TOMORROW: St James's Park, Eltham Concert Band, 3pm- 4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Regent's Park, Southern Concert Brass, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Hyde Park, Band of the Wiltshire Constabulary, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm; Greenwich Park, John Laing (Hendon) Band, 3pm-4.30pm, 6pm-7.30pm.