Queen to celebrate 'girl power'

The event is scheduled three days after International Women's Day

The Queen is planning a "girl power" lunch to celebrate successful women, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Celebrated women from the arts, media, law and business, including JK Rowling and Cherie Booth, will be at the gathering next month.

The Queen, the Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal will mingle with up to 200 invited guests.

A palace spokeswoman said the event on 11 March, three days after International Women's day, was the first of its kind.

The three women will dine with glamorous guests such as Mobo awards organiser Kanya King, Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and Tamara Mellon, of the Jimmy Choo shoe label.

JK Rowling is one of 200 invited guests

Others on the invite list include 60s icon Twiggy, journalist Sheena McDonald, former athlete Dame Mary Peters and ex-model Heather Mills McCartney.

"It will be the first all female event at the Palace. It's one of the theme days that we're having," a Palace spokeswoman said.

"It's going to be about women and their achievements.

"It's not just well known people, there will be lots of business women, women from arts and education and grass roots people."

It will be Sophie's first engagement since the birth of her daughter, Lady Louise.