Maritime theme day

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen, supported by members of the Royal Family, will undertake a series of engagements on Wednesday, 20 July 2005 to recognise Britain's maritime community.

This Maritime Day, including receptions in London and Edinburgh, is part of a series of theme days hosted by Her Majesty to promote and support different aspects of British culture and industry. Other theme days have included British Design, Women, Publishing, Tourism, Young Achievers and Pioneers.

The Queen will undertake engagements in Dover before giving an evening reception at St James's Palace for 500 representatives of the maritime sector from all over the United Kingdom. The Duke of Edinburgh and The Earl and Countess of Wessex will also attend this reception.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Patron, will visit the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and later as Master, open the Corporation of Trinity House Depot in Harwich, Essex. His Royal Highness will accompany The Queen to the Reception at St James's Palace.

The Duke of York will visit Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (where both he, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales were officer cadets). The College is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

The Earl of Wessex will visit Dyfed, Wales and later attend the evening reception at St James's Palace.

The Countess of Wessex will visit Hull, Grimsby and Immingham before attending the reception at St James's Palace.

The Princess Royal will undertake a number of engagements in Scotland before hosting a reception for 200 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.

The Duke of Kent will undertake engagements in Cornwall.

A further announcement will be made in July giving more specific details of each separate engagement.