Court Circular

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

23 October: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, this evening in an aircraft of the Queen's Flight from a State Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, and were received by the Lord Chamberlain (the Earl of Airlie KT) and the Finance Director, Heathrow Airport (Mr John Stent).

The following were in attendance: the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (the Right Hon Douglas Hurd MP), the Duchess of Grafton, Mrs John Dugdale, the Right Hon Sir Robert Fellowes, Major-General Sir Simon Cooper, Sir Kenneth Scott, Mr Charles Anson, Surgeon Captain Norman Blacklock RN, Lieutenant-Colonel Blair Stewart-Wilson, Air Commodore The Hon Timothy Elworthy, Mr Brian McGrath and Mr Richard Gozney.

KENSINGTON PALACE

23 October: The Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Goorkhas (the Sirmoor Rifles), this morning received Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher Lavender on relinquishing command of the 2nd Battalion, at Kensington Palace.

This afternoon His Royal Highness visited Westonbirt and was received by Her Majesty's Lord- Lieutenant for Gloucestershire (Mr Henry Elwes).

The Prince of Wales visited Westonbirt Arboretum and planted a tree in commemoration of the Fortieth Anniversary of Her Majesty's Accession.

Mr Gerald Ward was in attendance.

23 October: The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon today visited North Yorkshire and was received on arrival by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire (Sir Marcus Worsley).

Her Royal Highness, President, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, was present this afternoon at a Shopping Day held at the Orangery, Settrington House, by the Society's Norton and Villages Committee.

The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Grand President, St John Ambulance Association and Brigade, this evening attended a Gala Evening at Castle Howard in aid of the Order of St John, North Yorkshire and Humberside.

The Hon Mrs Wills was in attendance.

YORK HOUSE

23 October: The Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, today attended a Luncheon at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to mark the retirement of Sir John Moreton as Gentleman Usher of the Blue Rod.

Commander Roger Walker RN was in attendance.

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS

The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron, Scottish Opera, tomorrow attends the 30th Anniversary Concert at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. Princess Michael of Kent today attends a performance of La Traviata by the Pavilion Opera at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, in aid of the Sue Ryder Home, Cheltenham. Prince Michael of Kent tomorrow lays a wreath at the Memorial Service in Winchester Cathedral to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein.

Changing of the Guard

TODAY: 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 Welsh Guards. TOMORROW: The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment mounts The Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards, 10am.