Court Circular

Balmoral Castle

The Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP (First Minister of the Scottish Government) and Mr. Peter Murrell have arrived at the Castle.

The Rt. Hon. Robert Buckland MP had an audience of The Queen this afternoon via video link and delivered up the Great Seal and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

The Queen held Council via video link at 4.30 p.m..

There were present: the Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP (Lord President), the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, the Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab MP and the Rt. Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP.

Ms. Nadine Dorries MP was sworn in as a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

Mr. Nadhim Zahawi MP made affirmation as a member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.

The following took the Oath of Office or made affirmation, kissed hands upon appointment and received the Seals of Office: the Rt. Hon. Dominic Raab MP (as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice), the Rt. Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP (as Secretary of State for International Trade), the Rt. Hon. Nadhim Zahawi MP (as Secretary of State for Education), the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP (as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; and Housing, Communities and Local Government) and the Rt. Hon. Nadine Dorries MP (as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport).

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

The Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP had an audience of The Queen before the Council.

After the Council the Rt. Hon. Stephen Barclay MP had an audience of The Queen, was sworn Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, kissed hands upon his appointment and received from Her Majesty the Seals of Office.

The Rt. Hon. Nicola Sturgeon MSP was received in audience by The Queen this evening.

St. James's Palace

The Princess Royal, Patron, Maritime UK, this afternoon visited Mersey Maritime, Maritime Knowledge Hub, 3 Vanguard Way, Birkenhead, and was received by Mrs. Denise Barrett-Baxendale (Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside).

Her Royal Highness, President, Riding for the Disabled Association, later visited Bowers Riding School, Formby, and was received by Lady Dalglish (Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside).

The Princess Royal, Patron, the Wellington Trust, was represented by Captain Sir Nicholas Wright RN (Extra Equerry to Her Royal Highness) at the Memorial Service for Captain Guy Brocklebank RN (former Chairman) which was held in Southwark Cathedral, London SE1, this afternoon.

Kensington Palace

The Duke of Gloucester this morning visited the Leaves of Southwell project in Southwell Minster and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire (Sir John Peace).

His Royal Highness this afternoon officially opened the Artists' Trail at Patchings Arts Centre, Oxton Road, Calverton, Nottinghamshire.

The Duke of Gloucester later visited Bromley House Library, Angel Row, Nottingham, to mark its Bicentenary.

St. James's Palace

The Earl of Wessex this afternoon attended a Meeting with representatives from Birmingham Emergency Services and Birmingham City Council at West Midlands Police, 199 Park Lane, Aston, Birmingham, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands (Mr. John Crabtree).

His Royal Highness afterwards met the Police Commissioner and Police Cadets, and launched the charity, Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands, at West Midlands Police.

The Earl of Wessex later opened the newly renovated Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham, and was received by Ms. Fiona Allan (Deputy Lieutenant of West Midlands).

His Royal Highness, Patron, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, this evening attended a Concert at the Symphony Hall.

The Countess of Wessex this morning held a Meeting with the Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict) via video link.

Her Royal Highness, Patron, this afternoon held a Reception for Vision Foundation.