A VISIT by German President Professor Dr Roman Herzog to Gray's Inn on 29 April was preceded by a flypast from an escaped eagle, symbol of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The bird had apparently escaped from its handler during a pop video shoot in nearby King's Cross the day before and was successfully recaptured after flapping around the Inns of Court.

Herzog visited Gray's Inn during a private trip to London during which he also held meetings with the Queen and Prime Minister John Major.

As well as addressing 180 members of the Inn in what was heralded by Gray's Inn officials as a unique legal address from a foreign head of state, Herzog was taken on a guided tour around the Inn by Treasurer Conrad Dane QC.

The tour included a visit to 4-5 Grays Inn – the chambers of Elizabeth Appleby QC and Michael Beloff QC where he was met by mem bers of chambers and former member Konrad Schiemann, Lord Justice.

Herzog was given an open invitation to visit the Inn following his appointment as an Honorary Bencher in 1994.