As we mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, we reflect on her reign and a long and valued relationship with King’s.
Read time: 4 mins
We join with the nation in mourning the loss of Her Majesty The Queen and reflect on her extraordinary life and reign. As our Patron, The Queen had a long and valued association with King’s and visited the university on numerous occasions, usually accompanied by her late husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip. Prince Philip also had a long and valued association with King’s, dating back to 1955 when he became a Life Governor of King’s College London.
During her 70-year reign, The Queen has seen 12 Principals of King’s and has had a lasting connection with our campuses, officially opening the Strand Building, the Maughan Library, Bush House and Somerset House East Wing.
As the Patron of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, The Queen has been welcomed on numerous occasions at their medical and dental schools and has met with staff of King’s College Hospital on several occasions. Her Majesty devoted her life to service and has been an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth during times of enormous social change.
As a King’s community, we mourn the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our sincere condolences are with the Royal Family and those close to her during this time.
Our gallery of special memories of Her Majesty
The Queen and Prince Philip with General Sir John Hackett (left), Principal of King’s College London 1975–80. Image: King’s College London Archives.
The Queen at the opening of the Somerset House East Wing, home of The Dickson Poon School of Law, February 2012.
The Queen meeting members of the King’s community during her visit to Somerset House East Wing, home of The Dickson Poon School of Law, February 2012.
Her Majesty, the Queen officially opening the Strand Building on Thursday 27 June 1972
The Queen and Prince Philip greeted by Sir Richard Trainor, Principal of King’s College London 2004–14, February 2012.
The Queen and Professor Arthur Lucas, Principal of King’s College London 1993–2003 at the opening of the Maughan Library, 2002.
A woolly Reggie, presented to the Duke and Duchess of York (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), for Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II), 1929.
The Queen meeting members of the King’s community, including Professor Shitij Kapur (now President & Principal of King’s College London) and Revd Tim Ditchfield.
The Queen greeted by Sir Ed Byrne, Principal of King’s College London 2014–21, March 2019.
The Queen and Prince Philip meeting guests at the opening of the Strand Building in 1972. Image: King’s College London Archives.
HM The Queen in Bush House, March 2019.
InTouch Online pays tribute to the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Theology, 1965; MTh, 1966) with an interactive biographical timeline, video...
By cataloguing nearly half a million pages and items from the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, an award-winning King’s project...
As a graduated international student (Indonesia) from King’s College London, I have seen Her Majesty The Queen visited the university alongside with other royal family members (e.g. Princess of Wales, Prince Harry). I’m grateful to get the opportunity to see Her Majesty The Queen while I was a student in London and thank you for Her Majesty’s continuous support to King’s College London