The University of Westminster is mourning the death of its Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, by remembering her impact on and encounters with the University and its communities during her reign.
The University’s long tradition of royal connections dates back to December 1840 when Prince Albert visited 309 Regent Street and became patron of the newly designated Royal Polytechnic Institution. The patronage of the monarch has been held by the University’s predecessor bodies, the Regent Street Polytechnic and the Polytechnic of Central London, with the historic links continued and strengthened in 1993 when Her Majesty The Queen graciously agreed to be the patron of the University of Westminster.
However, even before her patronage came into effect, the University had followed the tradition set in 1937 for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, when the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was celebrated with a dance in the University’s Portland Hall and a Garden Fete held at Chiswick.
Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II has visited the University of Westminster twice. She first visited in December 1995 to open the newly developed Harrow Campus at Northwick Park, her first engagement as the University’s patron. Local school children, mayors, students and staff were all in keen attendance.
Clarion, the University staff newsletter at the time, wrote: “There was no excessive ceremony, no bowing, no curtseying, just a genuine interest from The Queen in the University and in those who are part of it – and a great chance for the University to show its work.”
Westminster Media, Fashion and Ceramics students all had the opportunity to impress The Queen with their work, and the latter explained to her how clay dug up from campus excavations were incorporated into a pot created by Westminster Ceramics tutor Kyra Cane to gift to The Queen.
Secondly, in July 2004 she unveiled the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade plaque at 309 Regent Street which had been awarded to the University for demonstrating “a substantial and sustained increase in export earnings to a level which is exceptional for the products or services concerned.”
The Westminster community was also happy to visit her. In June 2016, a group of Westminster colleagues, students and alumni were invited to The Patron’s Lunch to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday. The Mall outside Buckingham Palace was transformed for its largest ever street party to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations – including the University of Westminster, one of only 23 universities in her patronage. The Westminster team could wave and sing happy birthday to her and saw a number of senior Royal Family members.
The hamper picnic included traditional food and drinks from around the country, and bottomless tea and ice cream were also available. The picnic was much enjoyed by the Westminster team who returned home with a selection of memorabilia from the event.
Most recently, the University celebrated Her Majesty The Queen becoming the first British monarch to reach 70 years of service at her Platinum Jubilee, by recalling the numerous royal encounters over the institution’s 180-year-long history.
During this poignant period of national mourning and beyond, the University of Westminster will keep in its thoughts its Patron, the Royal Family and all those in the UK and across the world who were touched by Her Majesty The Queen during her long reign.
For colleagues, students or alumni who wish to sign it, a book of condolence is in place at 309 Regent Street, alongside a display commemorating Her Majesty The Queen’s connection to the University.
