Court Circular

St. James's Palace

The Princess Royal this afternoon opened the Twentieth International Island Games, this year being held in Orkney, in Bignold Park, Kirkwall, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Orkney (Ms. Elaine Grieve).

Kensington Palace

The Prince of Wales this afternoon participated in a polo match at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor, in support of charities with which Their Royal Highnesses are connected.

St. James's Palace

The Duchess of Edinburgh today carried out engagements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, accompanied by His Majesty's Ambassador (His Excellency Mr. Julian Reilly).

Her Royal Highness this morning met the Commander of the European Union Force (Commander Florin-Marian Barbu) at the Headquarters for the International Peacekeeping Force and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Camp Butmir, Sarajevo.

The Duchess of Edinburgh, on behalf of The King, later attended Commemorations at Potocari Memorial Centre and Cemetery, Potocari, Srebrenica, to mark the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.

Her Royal Highness this afternoon met representatives of the Srebrenica Mothers Association at Srebrenica Memorial Centre.

The Duchess of Edinburgh this evening attended a Meeting with leaders of religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Residence of The Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rijaset, Kovaci, Sarajevo.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester this morning visited Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, 25 River Street, Truro, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall (Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho).

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited the Cinnamon Trust, 10 Market Square, Copperhouse, Hayle, to mark the Fortieth Anniversary of the Trust and was received by Mr. Kim Conchie (Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall).

The Duke of Gloucester afterwards visited Clayworks Higher Bochym Workshops, Cross Lanes, Helston, and was received by Mr. James Staughton (Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall).

The Duchess of Gloucester, Honorary President, the Lawn Tennis Association, this afternoon attended the Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London SW19.

Windsor Castle

The President of the French Republic this morning attended the United Kingdom-France Summit at 10 Downing Street, London SW1, and was received by the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury).

The President, accompanied by the Prime Minister, this afternoon received a briefing on Operational Plans at the Permanent Joint Headquarters and was received by the Rt. Hon. John Healey MP (Secretary of State for Defence) and Admiral Sir Antony Radakin (Chief of the Defence Staff).

The President of the French Republic, accompanied by the Prime Minister, afterwards visited NATO Allied Maritime Command and was received by Vice Admiral Michael Utley (Commander Allied Maritime Command).

His Excellency, together with Military representatives from the United Kingdom and France, received an Operational Briefing before meeting French Military representatives who are based in the United Kingdom.

The King this morning visited Walmer Castle, Kingsdown Road, Walmer, Deal, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Kent (the Lady Colgrain) and Sir George Zambellas (Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports).

His Majesty toured the Castle, escorted by Dr. Kathryn Bedford (Curator of Collections).

The King subsequently visited the Queen Mother's Garden and met representatives from the coastal towns that make up the Confederation of Cinque Ports.

His Majesty this afternoon visited the Captain's Garden, Deal, and, escorted by Mr. Stephen Wakeford (Lead Volunteer of the Captain's Garden), met volunteer gardeners and community groups that support local people in Deal.

The King, Patron, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, afterwards visited Walmer Lifeboat Station, the Strand, Walmer, Deal, and, having been received by Mr. Denis Brophy (Lifeboat Operations Manager, Walmer), met volunteers and representatives from some of the Lifeboat Stations in the Cinque Ports.

His Majesty also viewed an emergency training exercise.

The King, escorted by Mr. Charles Franklyn (Beach Clean Leader) and Ms. Danielle Jordan (Director of Campaigns and Communities, Surfers Against Sewage), subsequently met volunteers taking part in a beach clean-up initiative along the coastline in Deal.

His Majesty later visited Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Goudhurst, Kent, and was received by Sir William Worsley, Bt. (Chairman, Forestry Commission) and Mr. Jonathan Codd (General Manager, Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest).

The King, escorted by Mr. Daniel Luscombe (Curator), toured the Pinetum and met members of staff.

The Queen this morning visited the Wiltshire Community Foundation at Wellington Barn, Manor Farm, Calne, to mark its Fiftieth Anniversary and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire (Dame Sarah Troughton).

Her Majesty, Patron, this afternoon opened the new Jamie's Farm at Lower Shockerwick Farm, Bath, and was received by Mr. Edward Allen (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset).

The Lord Benyon (Lord Chamberlain) was present at Royal Air Force Northolt this afternoon upon the Departure of The President of the French Republic and bade farewell to His Excellency on behalf of His Majesty upon the conclusion of the State Visit to The King and Queen.

The King was represented by Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne (former Major General Commanding Household Division) at the Memorial Service for Major General Sir Christopher Airy (former Major General Commanding Household Division) which was held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1, this afternoon.

The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke of Kent were represented by Brigadier Harry Nickerson.

The Princess Royal was represented by Captain Fergus Lupton.

St. James's Palace

The Duchess of Edinburgh this morning departed Farnborough Airport, Hampshire for Bosnia and Herzegovina and was received upon arrival this afternoon at Sarajevo International Airport by His Majesty's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (His Excellency Mr. Julian Reilly).

Her Royal Highness later called upon Mr. Željko Komšic (a Member of the Presidency) at the Presidency Building, Maršala Tita 16, Sarajevo.

The Duchess of Edinburgh afterwards visited the Missing Persons Institute, Obala Kulina Bana, Sarajevo.

Her Royal Highness subsequently visited the Old Town of Sarajevo.

The Duchess of Edinburgh this evening met survivors of conflict-related sexual violence at the Residence of His Majesty's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Her Royal Highness afterwards attended a Dinner given by His Majesty's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Residence.

Mr. Aleander Stonor and Mrs. Rosamund Cave are in attendance.

Windsor Castle

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron this morning visited St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and were received by the Dean (the Right Reverend Dr. Christopher Cocksworth).

His Excellency laid a Wreath of Flowers on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in The King George VI Chapel.

The King and The President of the French Republic afterwards toured the Windsor Castle Gardens and His Majesty illustrated nature restoration work on the Windsor Estate.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron, with the French Suite in attendance, took leave of The King and Queen and left Windsor Castle.

The President of the French Republic later visited Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7, and was received by the President of Imperial College London (Professor Hugh Brady).

His Excellency viewed the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Innovators Exhibition and met university and research leaders, before formally endorsing new United Kingdom-France Science and Technology Agreements.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron afterwards visited No. 10 Downing Street.

His Excellency had talks with the Prime Minister and subsequently was entertained to Luncheon by the Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

Mrs. Macron was entertained to Luncheon by Lady Starmer.

The President and the Prime Minister afterwards joined a Business Discussion and attended a Reception with United Kingdom and French Chief Executive Officers.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron later visited the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1, and were received by the Chairman of Trustees (the Rt. Hon. George Osborne) and the Director (Dr. Nicholas Cullinan).

The President and Mrs. Macron viewed the Sutton Hoo Gallery and His Excellency addressed those present and witnessed the signing of the United Kingdom-France Agreement on the loan of the Sutton Hoo Treasure and the Bayeux Tapestry.

The President of the French Republic later held Meetings with United Kingdom business leaders at the Residence of the French Ambassador.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron this evening received an Address of Welcome and afterwards were entertained at a Banquet by the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London at Guildhall.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present.

The King and Queen this morning held a Reception for Tour Artists at Buckingham Palace and opened 'The King's Tour Artists' Exhibition.

Commodore Christopher Palmer RN and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Matheson of Matheson, Bt. were received by The King this afternoon upon their retirement as Gentleman Ushers to His Majesty.

The King held a Council at 4.30 p.m..

There were present: the Rt. Hon. Lucy Powell MP (Lord President), the Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), the Rt. Hon. Edward Miliband MP (Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero) and the Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds MP (Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade).

The Rt. Hon. Sir Anthony Smellie made affirmation as a member of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

Mr. Richard Tilbrook was in attendance as Clerk of the Council.

The Rt. Hon. Sir Clive Alderton (Principal Private Secretary to Their Majesties) was in attendance.

The Rt. Hon. Lucy Powell MP had an audience of His Majesty before the Council.

The Queen this afternoon attended the Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London SW19.

By command of The King, Mr. Alistair Harrison (Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps) received His Excellency Mr. Markus Leitner at St. James's Palace this afternoon in order to bid farewell to His Excellency upon relinquishing his appointment as Ambassador from the Swiss Confederation to the Court of St. James's.

By command of His Majesty, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps afterwards called upon His Excellency Mr. Yeocheol Yoon at 60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1, in order to bid farewell to His Excellency upon relinquishing his appointment as Ambassador from the Republic of Korea to the Court of St. James's.

Kensington Palace

The Prince of Wales, Patron, the Football Association, having been received at Zurich Airport by His Majesty's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation (His Excellency Mr. James Squire), this evening attended the Union of European Football Associations Women's Euro 2025 Group Game between England and the Netherlands at Stadion Letzigrund, Badenerstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.

St. James's Palace

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, this morning visited the Royal School, Wolverhampton, Penn Road, Wolverhampton, and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands (Dr. Derrick Anderson).

Windsor Castle

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron arrived at Windsor Castle today on a State Visit to The King and Queen.

The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed His Excellency and Mrs. Macron on behalf of His Majesty at Royal Air Force Northolt and travelled by car to the Royal Dais in Datchet Road, Windsor, where The President and Mrs. Macron were met by The King and Queen.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron, accompanied by Their Majesties with Their Royal Highnesses, drove in a Carriage Procession to Windsor Castle with a Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry.

Gun Salutes were fired in the Home Park (Private) by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company.

A Guard of Honour was provided at Windsor Castle by Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards, who later marched past.

The Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry ranked past.

His Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The King's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard and the Military Knights of Windsor were on duty.

The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron this afternoon drove to Westminster Abbey where His Excellency laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The President and Mrs. Macron afterwards drove to the Palace of Westminster and were received by the Lord Great Chamberlain (the Lord Carrington), the Lord Speaker (the Lord McFall of Alcluith) and the Speaker of the House of Commons (the Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP).

His Excellency, accompanied by Mrs. Macron, addressed those assembled in the Royal Gallery.

The President of the French Republic, with Mrs. Brigitte Macron, accompanied by the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury), with Lady Starmer, afterwards laid a wreath at the statue of Sir Winston Churchill KG in Parliament Square, London SW1.

The President and Mrs. Macron, with the Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, drove to 4 Carlton Gardens, London SW1, where His Excellency laid a wreath at the statue of General Charles de Gaulle and met veterans of the United Kingdom Armed Forces.

The Rt. Hon. Olukemi Badenoch MP (Leader of the Opposition) later called upon The President of the French Republic at Lancaster House, London SW1.

The Rt. Hon. Sir Edward Davey MP (Leader of the Liberal Democrats) afterwards called upon His Excellency.

The King and Queen gave a State Banquet at Windsor Castle this evening in honour of The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron at which The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present.

The following had the honour of being invited:

Suite of The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron:

Mr. Sébastien Lecornu (Minister for the Armed Forces), Ms. Rachida Dati (Minister for Culture), Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot (Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs), Her Excellency Ms. Hélène Duchêne (French Ambassador to the United Kingdom), Mr. Emmanuel Moulin (Secretary-General, Presidency of the Republic), General Fabien Mandon (Chief of Staff to The President of the Republic), Mr. Emmanuel Bonne (Diplomatic Adviser and G7-G20 Sherpa for The President of the Republic), Mr. Tristan Bromet (Special Advisor, Presidency of the Republic), Mr. Xavier Chatel (Strategic Affairs and Disarmament Adviser, Presidency of the Republic), and Mr. Alexis Dutertre (Europe Adviser, Presidency of the Republic).

Members of the French Delegation and Guests:

Mr. Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade (Chairman of the National Assembly European Affairs Committee, Deputy for French Citizens Living Outside France, 4th constituency), Mr. Samir Assaf (Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa, General Atlantic), Mr. Philippe Bélaval (Special Envoy of The President of the Republic), Mr. Stéphane Bern (Television presenter), Mr. Pierre-Gaël Bessière(Chief of Staff to Mrs. Macron), Ms. Estelle Brachlianoff (Chief Executive Officer, Veolia), Mr. Olivier Cadic (Senator for French Citizens Abroad), Mr. Vincent Caure (Deputy for French Citizens Living Outside France, 3rd constituency), Mr. Dominique Delport (Founder, Arduina Partners) and Mrs. Delport, Ms. Laurence des Cars (Director of the Louvre), Mr. Vincent Guerend (Director for the European Union, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), Mr. Jean-Noël Ladois (Adviser on International Communication, Presidency of the Republic), Mr. Christophe Leribault (President of the Public Institution Overseeing the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles), Mr. Frédéric Michel (Former special adviser to The President of the Republic), Mr. Eric Paridimal (Technical Advisor for European Affairs to The President of the Republic), Mr. Jean-François Rapin (Chairman of the Senate European Affairs Committee, Senator for Pas-de-Calais), Ms. Alice Rufo (Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry for the Armed Forces), Mr. Rodolphe Saadé (Chief Executive Officer, CMA CGM Group) and Mrs. Saadé, and Ms. Victoire Vandeville (Advisor for Trade, Tourism and Export).

Specially attached to The President of the French Republic and Mrs. Brigitte Macron:

The Viscount Brookeborough (Lord-in-Waiting to The King) and the Viscountess Brookeborough and Dame Menna Rawlings (His Majesty's Ambassador to the French Republic) and Mr. Mark Rawlings.

Diplomatic Corps:

His Excellency the Ambassador of Honduras and Mrs. Mirian Nasser de Romero.

The Cabinet and Government:

The Prime Minister and Lady Starmer, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Ms. Nicola Green, the Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP (Secretary of State for the Home Department) and the Rt. Hon. Edward Balls, the Rt. Hon. John Healey MP (Secretary of State for Defence) and Mrs. Healey, and the Leader of the House of Lords and Mr. Smith.

Special Invitations:

The Rt. Hon. Olukemi Badenoch MP (Leader of the Opposition) and Mr. Hamish Badenoch, Mr. Andrew Bailey (Governor of the Bank of England), the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill (Lady Chief Justice) and Mr. Alexander Birch, Mr. Jean-Pierre Clamadieu (Chairman, Engie), Dr. Nicholas Cullinan (Director, the British Museum) and Mr. Mattias Vendelmans, the Rt. Hon. Sir Edward Davey MP (Leader of the Liberal Democrats) and Lady Davey, Ms. Mary Earps (Professional Footballer, Paris Saint-Germain) and Ms. Catherine Forrest, Mr. Sebastian Faulks (Author, Journalist and Broadcaster) and Mrs. Faulks, Dame Amelia Fawcett (Co-Chairman, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits), Mr. Bernard Fontana (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Energie De France), Mr. Thierry Garnier (Chief Executive Officer, Kingfisher plc) and Mrs. Garnier, Ms. Lina Ghotmeh (Lina Ghotmeh - Architecture) and Mr. Mohamad Arayssi, Sir Antony Gormley (Sculptor) and Lady Gormley, Ms. Sylvie Goulard (Co-Chairman, International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits), Mrs. Joanne Harris (Author), Professor Edith Heard (Chief Executive Officer (designate), the Francis Crick Institute) and Dr. Vincent Colot, Ms. Cressida Hogg (Chairman, BAE Systems plc) and Mr. Henry Legge, Mr. Michael Holbrook Penniman (Singer-songwriter) and Mr. Andreas Dermanis, the Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP (Speaker of the House of Commons) and Lady Hoyle, Sir Michael Jagger (Musician) and Ms. Melanie Hamrick, Sir Elton John (Philanthropist) and Mr. David Furnish, Mrs. Emma Little-Pengelly (deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland) and Mr. Richard Pengelly, the Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, the Lord McFall of Alcluith (the Lord Speaker), Professor Lorna Milne (President, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland), the Baroness Morgan of Ely (First Minister of Wales) and Reverend Dr. Rhys Jenkins, Mrs. Leena Nair (Global Chief Executive Officer, Chanel) and Mr. Kumar Nair, the Lord Newby (Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords) and the Reverend Canon Ailsa Newby, the Duke of Norfolk (the Earl Marshal) and the Duchess of Norfolk, Mr. René Obermann (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Airbus SE), Professor Olivette Otele (Distinguished Research Professor, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) and Mr. Jean-Luc Kriker, Ms. Kara Owen (State Visit Senior Responsible Officer, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), Mr. Jonathan Powell (National Security Adviser), Admiral Sir Antony Radakin (Chief of the Defence Staff) and Lady Radakin, Sir Oliver Robbins (Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) and Lady Robbins, Professor Christine Rollier (Professor of Vaccinology, University of Surrey) and Mr. Damien Weissenburger, Sir Mark Rowley (Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis) and Lady Rowley, Mr. Roland Rudd (Chairman, FGS Global) and Mrs. Rudd, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas (Actor) and Mr. John Micklethwait, Mr. Frédéric Sirieix (Broadcaster) and Mrs. Sirieix, the Lord Stern of Brentford (Chairman, Grantham Research Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science) and Lady Stern, Sir Jonathan Symonds (Chairman, GSK plc), Professor Mark Thomson (Director General Designate, CERN) and Mrs. Thomson, Dr. Robert Watson (President of Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce plc) and Mrs. Watson, Professor Nick Webborn (Chairman, UK Sport) and Ms. Stephanie Anderson, and Sir Christopher Wormald (Cabinet Secretary) and Lady Wormald.

Miss Sarah Clarke was received by The King this evening upon relinquishing her appointment as Lady Usher of the Black Rod and delivered up the Insignia of Office.

Lieutenant General Edward Davis was received by His Majesty, took the Oath upon his appointment as Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod and received the Insignia of Office.

Mr. David White (Garter King of Arms) was in attendance and administered the Oath.