Sheraton Hotel, Ankara

15th May, 2008

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh today visited Istanbul, Turkey, and were received on arrival at Istanbul Atatürk Airport by Her Majesty’s Consul-General for Istanbul (Dame Barbara Hay) and the Governor of Istanbul (Mr. Muammer Guler).

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness drove to Kabatas School and were received by the Foundation Board Member (Mr. Merih Ergin) and Mr. Peter Clack (Director of Education, the British Council).

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh toured the School, viewing a traditional song performance and science and mathematics experiments.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness afterwards viewed a bazaar on the shore of the Bosphorus and met those participating in the bazaar.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by The President of the Republic of Turkey and Mrs. Gül, this afternoon embarked in a Bosphorus Cruise Boat and travelled downstream before disembarking at Istanbul Modern art gallery.

The Queen subsequently visited Istanbul Modern and was received by the Chairman (Mrs. Oya Eczacibasi), Mr. Deyan Sudjic (Curator, Istanbul Modern, and Director, Design Museum London) and Ms. Ruth Ur (Director of Creativity, the British Council).

Her Majesty, escorted by the Chairman, toured the Gallery, viewing the “Design Cities” exhibition and children’s activities and meeting design and architecture students and teaching staff.

The Duke of Edinburgh embarked in a Search and Rescue Boat at Istanbul Modern quay and travelled upstream before disembarking at the Traffic Monitoring Centre, Istiniye, which His Royal Highness subsequently visited.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh this evening embarked in HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (Captain Stephen Chick RN) and were received with a Royal Salute and Her Majesty inspected a Guard of Honour.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh subsequently held a Reception on board and entertained The President of the Republic of Turkey and Mrs. Gül and Turkish guests.