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THE Queen and Prince Albert, with their six children, returned on Satur- day from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace. The Dutchess of Kent came to town on the same day, from Frogmore.
The Queen held an investiture of the Order of the Bath on Monday. Sir George Grey, Baronet, was knighted, invested with the riband and badge, and presented with the star of a Civil Knight Grand Cross of the Order; Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Blakeney was invested, and pre- sented with the insignia of a Military Knight Grand Cross; and Captain Sir Charles Hotham with the insignia of a Military Knight Commander.
Her Majesty gave a state ball on Wednesday evening, to about 1,900 guests. The Dutchess of Kent was prevented from attending by "a slight indisposition, under which she has been suffering for some days."
On Thursday, the Queen gave a dinner-party, followed by an evening concert, at which the Dutchess of Kent was present. The Queen has also been at the Covent Garden Opera, at the Opera Comique, at the English Theatre in the Haymarket, and at the German Opera.
Yesterday, her Majesty and Prince Albert received a visit from the Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz ; who took luncheon at Buckingham Palace.
Prince Albert dined with the Merchant Taylors on Monday; on Tues- day he visited the Royal Institution in Albemarle Street; and on Thursday he presided at the prize distribution of the Society of Arts.
The Princesses Helena and Louisa visited the Dutchess of Kent on Wed- nesday.
The Duke of Cambridge visited the Dutchess of Gloucester on Thurs- day. The Dutchess of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, accompanied by Prince Henry of the Netherlands and the Duke of Wellington, attended Her Majesty's Theatre on Saturday. The Dutchess of Gloucester visited the Duke and Dutchess of Cam- bridge on Tuesday and Wednesday.