The Court Circular is the official record of past royal engagements . Search Court Circulars detailing engagements undertaken by all members of the Royal Family going back to 1997 in this section of the Media Centre.
Windsor Castle
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender this morning drove to Coventry Cathedral and were received upon arrival by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands (Mr. Derrick Anderson), the Bishop of Coventry (the Right Reverend Sophie Jelley), the Very Reverend John Witcombe (Dean of Coventry) and the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry (Councillor Rachel Lancaster).
The President and Ms. Büdenbender entered the ruins of Coventry Cathedral and were received by The Duke of Kent, before attending an act of Solidarity and Remembrance in the Sanctuary where His Excellency and His Royal Highness laid wreaths at the altar.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender then toured the new Cathedral, escorted by the Dean, and heard about their work on reconciliation.
The Peace Bell was struck and Prayers and Reflections were said by those of various faiths.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender and The Duke of Kent met United Kingdom and German Military Personnel before His Excellency and Ms. Büdenbender attended a Reception in St. Michael's Hall.
The President and Ms. Büdenbender this afternoon visited Siemens Healthineers, Wharf Road, Eynsham, Oxfordshire, and were received by the Managing Director for Great Britain and Ireland, Siemens Healthineers (Ms. Ghada Trotabas) and the Managing Director Oxford, Siemens Healthineers (Dr. Jürgen Kampmeier).
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender learnt about the history and innovation milestones of the business, before viewing parts of the production process and meeting employees.
The President and Ms. Büdenbender later arrived at the Clarendon Building, 48 Broad Street, Oxford, and were received by the Chancellor, University of Oxford (the Lord Hague of Richmond) and Professor Irene Tracey (Vice-Chancellor).
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender, accompanied by the Chancellor, walked to the Divinity School, were received by Professor Alexander Betts (Oxford-Berlin Research Partnership Steering Group) and listened to Academic Showcase presentations and discussions from connected organisations.
The President and Ms. Büdenbender afterwards attended the Congregation at Convocation House, Broad Street, Oxford, when His Excellency received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Oxford.
The King this afternoon visited Royal Trinity Hospice, 30 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4, when His Majesty invested Mrs. Sarah Anderson (Founder and Trustee, the Listening Place) with the Insignia of a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
The Princess Royal, on behalf of The King, held an Investiture at St. James's Palace this morning.
The Lord Benyon (Lord Chamberlain) was present at Royal Air Force Brize Norton this evening upon the Departure of The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender and bade farewell to The President and Ms. Büdenbender on behalf of His Majesty upon the conclusion of the State Visit to The King and Queen.
Windsor Castle
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender 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 President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender, with The King and Queen, afterwards toured volunteering showcases in the Castle and met volunteers.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender, with the German Suite in attendance, subsequently took leave of The King and Queen and left Windsor Castle.
The President and Ms. Büdenbender later visited Westminster Abbey where His Excellency laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender today visited the Palace of Westminster and were received by the Lord Great Chamberlain (the Lord Carrington), Lieutenant General Edward Davis (Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod), the Lord Speaker (the Lord McFall of Alcluith) and the Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP (Speaker of the House of Commons).
The Speaker welcomed The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender, His Excellency delivered an Address and the Lord Speaker thanked The President.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender subsequently attended a Reception with Peers, Members of Parliament and other guests.
His Excellency this afternoon attended a Luncheon with members of the German community in the United Kingdom at the Embassy of Germany, 23 Belgrave Square, London SW1.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender later visited the Bobby Moore Academy, Stratford, 1 Sidings Street, London E20, and were received by the Principal (Ms. Sarah Donnelly) and Mr. Simon Rose (Chief Executive Officer, David Ross Education Trust).
The President and Ms. Büdenbender met Head Scholars and International and Club football players.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender afterwards visited V&A East Storehouse, Parkes Street, London E20, and were received by the Chairman of Trustees, Victoria and Albert Museum (the Baroness Shafik) and Dr. Tristram Hunt (Director).
The President and Ms. Büdenbender toured the Museum, escorted by the Director, viewing items from the V&A Collection and the David Bowie Archive.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Büdenbender this evening received an Address of Welcome and were entertained at a Banquet by the Rt. Hon. the Lady Mayor and the City of London Corporation at Guildhall.
The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were present.
Ms. Büdenbender this afternoon visited the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2, for a Meeting with the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill (Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales) and remained to Luncheon with Judges and law officials.
The King, Patron, London Symphony Orchestra, this afternoon attended the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition at LSO St. Luke's, 161 Old St, London EC1, and was received by Donatella Flick, Princess Missikoff and Dame Kathryn McDowell (Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra).
Later His Majesty received the Bishop of Carlisle (the Right Reverend Robert Saner-Haigh) who did homage upon his appointment.
The King received the Bishop of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich (the Right Reverend Dr. Joanne Grenfell) who did homage upon her appointment.
His Majesty received the Bishop of Worcester (the Right Reverend Hugh Nelson) who did homage upon his appointment.
The Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice) administered the Oaths.
The Bishop of Hereford (Clerk of the Closet) was in attendance.
The King received leaders from the oil and gas industry which have been convened by the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
The Queen this afternoon received Commander Christopher Bate upon relinquishing his appointment as Commander, HMS ASTUTE and Commander Simon Church upon assuming the appointment.
The Princess Royal, on behalf of The King, held an Investiture at St. James's Palace this afternoon.
Windsor Castle
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Elke Büdenbender arrived at Windsor Castle today on a State Visit to The King and Queen.
The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed His Excellency and Ms. Büdenbender on behalf of His Majesty at Heathrow Airport, London, and travelled by car to the Royal Dais in Datchet Road, Windsor, where The President and Ms. Büdenbender were met by The King and Queen.
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Elke Büdenbender, accompanied by Their Majesties with Their Royal Highnesses, drove in a Carriage Procession to Windsor Castle with a Sovereign'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 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who later marched past.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery marched past and the Sovereign'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 Federal Republic of Germany this afternoon visited No. 10 Downing Street, where His Excellency had talks with the Prime Minister and subsequently was entertained to Tea by the Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty's Government.
Ms. Elke Büdenbender this afternoon visited Judith Kerr Primary School, 62-68 Half Moon Lane, London SE24.
The King and Queen gave a State Banquet this evening in honour of The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Elke Büdenbender 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 Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Elke Büdenbender:
Dr. Johann Wadephul (Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs), Dr. Dörte Dinger (State Secretary, Head of the Office of The President), Mr. David McAllister MEP (Vice President, European People's Party), Mr. Sebastian Roloff (Chairman, German-British Parliamentary Friendship Group), Her Excellency Ms. Susanne Baumann (Ambassador from the Federal Republic of Germany to the Court of St. James's) and Mr. Peter Schier, Ambassador Wolfgang Dold (Ambassador, Director-General for Foreign Affairs), Dr. Oliver Schmolke (Director-General for Home Affairs), Ms. Cerstin Gammelin (Spokesperson of The President), Ms. Daniela Lerner (Head of The President's Personal Office), and Ms. Ulla Brunkhorst (Head of Europe Division).
Specially attached to The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Ms. Elke Büdenbender:
The Viscount Hood (Lord-in-Waiting), and Mr. Andrew Mitchell (His Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany) and Mrs. Mitchell.
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 Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice and Ms. Nicola Green, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (the Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper MP), the Leader of the House of Lords and Mr. Nigel Smith, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (the Rt. Hon. Peter Kyle MP), the Secretary of State for Defence (the Rt. Hon. Sir John Healey MP), the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (the Rt. Hon. Lisa Nandy MP), and Sir Christopher Wormald (Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service) and Lady Wormald.
Special Invitations:
The Speaker of the House of Commons and Lady Hoyle, the Leader of the Opposition and Mr. Hamish Badenoch, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Lady Davey, the Deputy First Minister of Wales and Mrs. Irranca-Davies, the Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Lady Robbins, the Earl and Countess of Kinnoull, the Lord and Lady True, the Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill and Mr. Alexander Birch, the Rt. Hon. the Lady Mayor and Mr. Gary Langley, the Duke of Norfolk, Ms. Kate Forbes MSP and Mr. Alasdair Maclennan, Dame Deborah Bronnert, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Ms. Blaise Metreweli, Mr. René Obermann, Mr. Hans Zimmer and Ms. Dina De Luca, Miss Georgia Stanway and Mrs. Suzanne Rowell, Ms. Tricia Tuttle and Ms. Briony Hanson, Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford and Ms. Sarah Wason, Mr. Asoka Wöhrmann and Mrs. Andrea Bitter, Professor Dr. Ugur Sahin, Dr. Özlem Türeci, Mrs. Jane Toogood and Dr. Matthew Toogood, Ms. Motshegetsi Mabuse and Mr. Evgenij Voznyuk, Professor Mary and Professor Julian Fulbrook, Ms. Katja Hoyer, Mr. Axel Scheffler and Ms. Clementine Koenig, Lady Vaughn and Sir Matthew Vaughn, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Tiernan, Ms. Cressida Hogg, Ms. Nicola Grady-Smith and Mr. Andrew Grady-Smith, Mr. Neil MacGregor, Mr. Scott Lipinski and Mr. Axel Lipinski-Meissner, Ms. Margherita Della Valle and Mr. Alessandro Brusa, Ms. Allison Kirkby and Mr. Peter Kirkby, Mr. Thomas Hitzlsperger and Mr. Brian Winrow-Campbell Clivaz, Ms. Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mr. Øyvind Gimse, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gort-Barten, the Dowager Countess of Gowrie, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, Professor Sir Christopher Clark, Sir David and Lady Chipperfield, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Woolmer, and Mr. and Mrs. Adam Allsopp.
Federal Republic of Germany Delegation Guests:
Ms. Jutta Casdorff (Private Secretary to Ms. Elke Büdenbender), Colonel Marcus Hagen (Federal Ministry of Defence Liaison Officer to The President), Mr. Peter Schier (Spouse of the Ambassador from the Federal Republic of Germany to the Court of St. James's), Ambassador Karin Marschall (Chief of Protocol), Dr. Ran Huo (Desk Officer, Europe Division, Office of The President), Ms. Claudia Richel (Speeches Section, Office of The President), Ms. Norman Kirsten (Social Media Editor), Mr. Durs Grünbein (Poet), Dr. Markus Krebber (Chief Executive Officer, RWE AG), Mr. Matthias Rebellius (Member of the Managing Board, Siemens AG), Mr. Matthias Rebellius (Member of the Managing Board, Siemens AG), Dr. Gundbert Scherf (Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Helsing GmbH), Dr. Michael Schöllhorn (Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Defence and Space), Mr. Christian Sewing (Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Bank AG), Professor Dr. h.c. Oliver Zipse (Chairman, BMW Group), Mr. Christian Doktor (Deputy Head of Mission, German Embassy, United Kingdom), Ms. Irina Speck (Head of the Economic Section, German Embassy, United Kingdom), Mr. Stefan Schiller (Protocol Officer, Federal Foreign Office), and Mr. Henning Speck (Head of the Minister's Office, Federal Foreign Office).
Buckingham Palace
The Queen, President, the Brooke Hospital for Animals, this afternoon attended a Reception for the Sir Peter O' Sullevan Award Lunch, the Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, London W1, and was received by Mr. Stuart Shilson (Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London).
Her Majesty later received Mr. John Hunt and Ms. Amy Hunt (Co-founders, the Hunt Family Fund) and the Baroness May of Maidenhead at Clarence House.
The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, The Rifles, and Royal Colonel, 4th Battalion The Ranger Regiment, this evening attended The Rifles' Awards Dinner at Guildhall, London EC2.
Buckingham Palace
Ms. Selima Hill was received by The King this afternoon when His Majesty presented her with The King's Gold Medal for Poetry for 2022.
Mr. George Szirtes was received by The King when His Majesty presented him with The King's Gold Medal for Poetry for 2024.
The Poet Laureate (Professor Simon Armitage) was present.
The Hon. John Kerry was received by The King when His Majesty presented him with the Insignia of an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
Ms. Alexandra Forbes Kerry and Dr. Vanessa Kerry (daughters of the Hon. John Kerry) were also received by The King.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell was received in audience by The King and kissed hands upon his appointment as His Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mrs. Mitchell was also received by His Majesty.
Her Excellency Ms. Cherie Nisbet was received in audience by The King upon her appointment as High Commissioner for Belize in London.
The King this evening held a Reception at Buckingham Palace for those members of Overseas Territories attending the Joint Ministerial Council.
The Princess Royal, on behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle this afternoon.
Buckingham Palace
His Excellency Mr. Václav Bartuška was received in audience by The King this afternoon and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Czech Republic to the Court of St. James's.
Mrs. Katerina Englichová was also received by His Majesty.
Her Excellency Ms. Asta Radikaite was received in audience by The King and presented the Letters of Recall of her predecessor and her own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Republic of Lithuania to the Court of St. James's.
His Excellency Mr. Dominique Paravicini was received in audience by The King and presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as Ambassador from the Swiss Confederation to the Court of St. James's.
Mrs. Paravicini was also received by His Majesty.
Sir Oliver Robbins (Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) was present.
The President of the Republic of Iceland visited The King.
The Right Reverend and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally (Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury designate) was received by The King.
The Queen, Vice Patron, the Royal Commonwealth Society, this morning received Dr Linda Yueh upon relinquishing her appointment as Executive Chairman and Ms. Janet Cooper upon assuming the appointment.
Her Majesty, Vice Patron, the Royal Commonwealth Society, today held a Reception at St. James's Palace, for the winners and runners-up of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025.
Afterwards Mr. Przemyslaw Kozlowski (Polish Chargé d'Affairs) was received by The Queen.
Buckingham Palace
The King this morning attended a Reception at Fortnum and Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1, to mark the Second Anniversary of the Coronation Food Project and was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Sir Kenneth Olisa), the Founder of the Coronation Food Project (the Baroness Casey of Blackstock), Dame Martina Milburn (Executive Chairman) and the Chief Executive Officer of Fortnum and Mason (Mr. Tom Athron).
His Majesty, accompanied by the Founder and the Executive Chairman, met senior leaders and representatives from Alliance Food Sourcing, supporters of the Coronation Food Project Hubs and apprentice chefs.
The Hon. Louise Imbeault was received in audience by The King this afternoon upon her appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick.
The following were received in audience by The King and kissed hands upon their appointment as His Majesty's Ambassadors: Mr. Roderick Drummond (the Republic of Tunisia) and Ms. Katherine Smitton (the Republic of Tajikistan).
Mrs. Drummond and Mr. Mathieu Payet were also received by His Majesty.
The following were received by the King upon their appointment as British High Commissioners:
Mr. Neil Bradley (the Republic of Namibia), Mr. Ajay Sharma (Malaysia) and Mr. Michael Tatham (the Republic of Cyprus).
Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. Evren Birdal-Sharma and Ms. Belinda Cherrington were also received by His Majesty.
Miss Charlette Robinson was received by The King when His Majesty invested her with the Insignia of a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Later, the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury) had an audience of The King.
The Queen, Patron, having been received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey (Mr. Michael More-Molyneux), this morning visited St. Catherine's School, Station Road, Bramley, to mark its One Hundred and Fortieth Anniversary and officially opened the new Sixth Form building.
Her Majesty this afternoon attended a Meeting at St. Catherine's School with members of the local community who work for domestic abuse charities in Surrey.
The Queen, Patron, Royal School of Needlework, later received Dr. Susan Kay-Williams upon relinquishing her appointment as Chief Executive and Ms. Rhian Harris upon assuming the appointment.
The Prince of Wales, on behalf of The King, held an Investiture at Windsor Castle this morning.
The King and Queen were represented by the Earl of Rosslyn (Lord Steward and Personal Secretary to Their Majesties) at the Memorial Service for the Hon. Hilary Weston (Chairman Emerita of The King's Trust Canada) which was held at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, this morning.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were represented by Mr. Charles Delevingne.
The Princess Royal was represented by Leonora, Countess of Lichfield.
Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy was represented by Mr. James Ogilvy.
Windsor Castle
Mr. Stephen Marshall was received by The King this afternoon when His Majesty invested him with the Insignia of a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
The King and Queen held an Evening Reception at Windsor Castle for the Diplomatic Corps at which The Prince of Wales was present.
Buckingham Palace
Today is the Seventy Seventh Anniversary of the Birthday of The King.
Their Majesties today visited South Wales.
The King and Queen this afternoon attended a Reception at Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Cyfarthfa Park, Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, to celebrate the Castle's Two Hundredth Anniversary and His Majesty's Birthday, and were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan (Professor Peter Vaughan), Ms. Susan Walker (Director of Education, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council), Ms. Kelly Powell (Museums Manager) and Councillor Paula Layton (Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil).
Afterwards Their Majesties met members of the local community outside the Castle.
The King later officially opened the Walnut Tree Depot, Taff's Well, Cardiff Road, Taff's Well, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and was received by Mr. Robert Holmes (Chief of Staff, Transport for Wales).
His Majesty boarded the tram-train MYDDFAI and drove a short distance before disembarking, being received by Mr. Huw Irranca-Davies (Deputy First Minister of Wales), the Rt. Hon. Joanna Stevens MP (Secretary of State for Wales) and Councillor Sheryl Evans (Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf), and toured the depot.
The Queen visited Cyfarthfa Park Primary School, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil, to mark Poetry Together Day, and was received by Colonel Philip Hubbard (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan).
By command of The King, Mr. Alistair Harrison (Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps) called upon His Excellency Mr. Magzhan Ilyassov at 125 Pall Mall, London SW1, this morning in order to bid farewell to His Excellency upon lately relinquishing his appointment as Ambassador from the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Court of St. James's.
Buckingham Palace
The following were received in audience by The King today and kissed hands upon their appointment as His Majesty's Ambassadors: Mrs. Sally Axworthy (the Republic of Kazakhstan), Mr. James Downer (the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria), Ms. Katherine Leach (the Republic of Latvia), Mr. Christopher Rampling (the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and Dr. Carol van der Walt (the Dominican Republic and non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti).
Dr. Nicola Neary, Mrs. Lies Lauwers and Mr. Paul van der Walt were also received by His Majesty.
The Queen, Patron, The Queen's Reading Room, this afternoon received Ms. Amanda Mackenzie (Chairman) and Mrs. Amanda MacManus (Trustee) at Clarence House.
