A Commemorative Souvenir Record of
Royal Visits to the University of Hull
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Celebration
June 2012
Royal Celebration
Foreword
from the Chancellor
Since its beginnings as University College Hull in 1927, and receipt of its Royal Charter in 1954, the
University of Hull has continued to build on a proud history of ground breaking achievements. It is
scarcely surprising that we are not short of major landmarks. Some of the proudest and most
memorable occasions in the University’s history are reproduced here in this commemorative record
in celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
I am extremely proud to be associated with the University of Hull as its Chancellor and am delighted
to commend to you this wonderful photographic collection of some of our Royal visitors.
Rt Hon Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone DL
Chancellor
University of Hull
A message from the Vice-Chancellor
As you will see when you look through this commemorative collection of photographs, the University
of Hull has been welcoming Royal visitors to its campus throughout its history, from the laying of its
foundation stone, the conferment of its first honorary degree to the opening of its major new
buildings. We are extremely proud of these special visits, which mark major landmarks in the
University’s history, and are delighted to share our reminiscences with you, in celebration of The
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The first Royal visit was in April 1928 by The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The Duke of York laid the foundation stone for University College
Hull and this has been preserved for all to see at the front of the Venn Building. After the University
received its Royal Charter in 1954, and was able to award its own degrees, it had the pleasure of
conferring its first honorary degree upon The Princess Royal, Princess Mary, and in 1957 of
welcoming Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh to its campus as part of their first visit to
the City of Hull. The University was further honoured when The Queen Mother paid a second visit to
the University in 1960 to mark the opening of the Brynmor Jones Library and, more recently in
2008, when The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, revisited to open the Enterprise Centre.
We have very much enjoyed putting together this collection of photographs in celebration of The
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hope that you share our enthusiasm in looking through them.
Professor Calie Pistorius
Vice-Chancellor
University of Hull
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A Royal Celebration: Introduction
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations have provided a good
opportunity for the University of Hull to delve through its archives and
produce a commemorative collection of photographs of Royal visits
since its foundation as University College Hull. What follows is a
selection of just some of the images that have been captured since
that time and all of which mark an important stage in the University’s
development and history.
It was only through the dedicated support and benefaction of its
founders and the Corporation of Hull that University College Hull was
established as a College of the University of London in 1927. Its first
Royal visitors – the Duke and Duchess of York – came the following
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
year in April 1928, when the Duke laid the foundation stone at what
was then called the Administration Building. This was a momentous
occasion for University College Hull and, perhaps, became more so when, in 1936, the Royal visitors
became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
The official opening of University College Hull, in 1929, was presided over by Prince George (who was
later to become the Duke of Kent). The students – all forty of them – were delighted to be included on
this occasion.
Prince Edward, The Prince of Wales, had a keen and practical interest in voluntary efforts to provide
occupation for the unemployed and, in 1933, he visited the Unemployed Men’s Educational Centre
which was accommodated on University College Hull’s campus.
Independence to become a degree-awarding body in its own right was achieved following the granting
of a Royal Charter in 1954 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The University of Hull was established –
making it Yorkshire’s third-oldest and England’s fourteenth-oldest university. In 1955, on the occasion
of the installation of its first Chancellor, Lord Middleton, the University of Hull conferred its first
honorary degree upon The Princess Royal, Princess Mary.
Only two years later the University welcomed to its campus Queen Elizabeth II (the University of Hull’s
Visitor)* and The Duke of Edinburgh. The itinerary included University Officers and senior members of
the University Council and Senate being presented to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness and
viewing a display of models in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office showing the long-term plans for the
University’s development. Five overseas students, representing the main Commonwealth countries
from which the overseas students came, were also presented.
Several Royals have visited the University, or its departments, on more than one occasion. Queen
Elizabeth The Queen Mother returned to Hull in 1960 and opened the new library building – which later
was named the Brynmor Jones Library – a model of which was viewed by The Queen and The Duke of
Edinburgh during their visit a few years earlier. The Duke of Edinburgh returned more recently in 2008
to perform the opening ceremony of the Enterprise Centre. Having a particular awareness of scientific
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A Royal Celebration
and technological research, he showed great interest during his discussions with academics and tenants of
the centre, and also when he toured the Logistics Institute afterwards.
The University was delighted to host The Duke of York’s Community Initiative Awards Ceremony in 2001
and welcome Prince Andrew to its campus. A further visit was paid to the city by Prince Andrew the
following year including to Blaydes House, home to the University’s Maritime Historical Studies Centre.
The Ferens Building, named after the University’s major founder, Thomas Robinson Ferens, joined
together the old School of Chemistry and the Larkin Building and was opened in 1996 by the Duchess of
Kent, who, the following year, became the second Royal upon which the University had conferred an
honorary degree.
The Duchess had, in fact, already visited the University in May 1993 to attend a concert in the Middleton
Hall, organised by the Department of Music. Later that year her husband, The Duke of Kent, also came to
the University to open the Research Centre in Surface Engineering, a collaborative venture which involved
some of the UK’s leading specialists at the time.
The University of Hull is delighted to play its part in celebrating The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hopes
that readers will enjoy looking through this very special collection of photographs.
Footnote
*A university’s Visitor, in United Kingdom law and history, is an overseer with the power to intervene in its internal affairs. The
University of Hull’s charter includes these Royal words: ‘We, Our Heirs and Successors, Kings and Queens of the Kingdom,
Realms and Territories aforesaid shall be and remain the Visitor and Visitors of the University through the Lord President of Our
Council for the time being and in exercise of the Visitorial Authority We, Our Heirs and Successors shall have the right from time to
time and in such manner as We or They shall think fit to direct an inspection of the University, its buildings, laboratories and
general equipment and also an enquiry into the teaching, research, assessments and other work done by the University.’
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The charter and the seal
The Royal Charter of Incorporation, the founding document of the University, was presented by The Queen
when the original University College Hull acquired its independent university status in 1954. The charter
awarded the College the power to grant degrees and honorary degrees and to call itself a university with
immediate effect. The University’s charter is authenticated with a seal. Royal seals – used to signify the
Sovereign’s approval of important state documents – are made from wax melted into a mould traditionally
showing the Monarch enthroned and enrobed on one side and on horseback on the other. This seal is singlesided and attached to the charter via the green ribbon shown here. Her Majesty The Queen signed a warrant
authorising the preparation and sealing of the charter – hence the phrase at the bottom of the document: ‘By
Warrant under the Queen’s Sign Manual’.
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Laying the foundation stone of University College Hull
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of York: 28 April 1928
The Royal procession approaches the main building, now called the Venn Building, at the ceremonial
laying of the foundation stone.
The Right Reverend Joseph Malet Lambert, Archdeacon of the East Riding (and Chairman of the new
University College), addresses the crowds from a podium outside the building. His Royal Highness The
Duke of York (the future King George VI) is seated at the far right of this picture, HRH The Duchess of York
third from the right. Between them sits The Right Honourable Thomas Robinson Ferens, the former
Member of Parliament for Hull East who was the driving force behind the establishment of a university in
the city – not least through his donation of £250,000 (equivalent to around £12 million in the present day).
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The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop of York, speaking at the
foundation stone ceremony as The Duchess of York and Mr Ferens (far right) look on.
The Royal party on stage with Dr Lang and Mr Ferens. Seated on The Duke of York’s left (second from the
right) is Mr Arthur Eustace Morgan, the first Principal of the nascent University College.
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The foundation stone is lowered into position, as The Duke of York watches. Though he would
subsequently reign as George VI, His Royal Highness signed his name in the College’s visitors’ book as
‘Albert’.
A final tap from the Duke, and the foundation stone slots into its resting place – where it can still be seen to
this day in the Venn building.
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The ceremonial platform and temporary seating for the crowds, seen from Cottingham Road.
The Duke and Duchess are driven away from the campus after the ceremony.
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The College’s official opening
His Royal Highness The Prince George: 10 October 1929
Prince George (later the Duke of Kent) at the University College’s official opening, with the Principal,
Mr Arthur Eustace Morgan (on his right), and the Right Worshipful Benno Pearlman, Lord Mayor of
Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber.
Prince George, Mr Morgan and the Lord Mayor are joined by the University College’s benefactor, The Right
Honourable Thomas Robinson Ferens (front, second from the left). The undergraduates in the background
represent almost the complete complement of the College, as it accommodated only around 40 students at
the time.
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A Royal Celebration
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Visit to the Unemployed Men’s Educational Centre
HRH Royal Highness The Prince of Wales: 13 December 1933
Edward, Prince of Wales, with the Principal of the University College, Mr Arthur Eustace Morgan (to his
left), outside what is now called the Cohen Building, on a visit to the Unemployed Men’s Educational
Centre (which stood on the College’s campus).
Prince Edward tours the campus, flanked by Mr Morgan and The Right Worshipful Arthur Shepherd, Lord
Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber.
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Prince Edward, the Principal (on his left) and the Lord Mayor (on his right) greet the crowds on their walk
around the campus.
His Royal Highness leaving at the end of his visit. A little over two years later, he acceded to the throne as
His Majesty King Edward VIII.
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A Royal Celebration
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Royal visit to the University campus
Her Majesty The Queen: 18 May 1957
Her Majesty made her first official visit to the University, which had been granted its Royal Charter (and the
power to award its own degrees) in 1954. The Queen is pictured here with Dr Brynmor Jones, the
University’s Vice-Chancellor. Some years later, the two met again when Dr Jones received a Knighthood
from Her Majesty.
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The Queen on campus. To the right of Her Majesty is The Right Honourable Lord Middleton, Lord
Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire and the first Chancellor of the now-independent University of
Hull. On the right is Mr Harold Loten, MBE, the Chairman of the new University Council. Just visible behind
Lord Middleton is Alderman H Kneeshaw.
Her Majesty, Lord Middleton, Alderman Kneeshaw and Mr Loten look on as Dr Jones outlines planned
campus developments to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The setting for this picture
is the current Vice-Chancellor’s office.
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A Royal Celebration
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Dr Jones, the Vice-Chancellor, introduces Her Majesty to some of the University’s senior staff and local
civic dignitaries.
Escorted by Dr Jones, Her Majesty begins a tour of the campus. Following them is The Duke of Edinburgh
with Mr Loten (on his immediate left) and Lord Middleton.
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The Duke of Edinburgh in conversation with Mr Loten during the campus tour.
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The official opening of the University library
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: 20 June 1960
The Queen Mother arrives on campus for the official opening of the University’s new library building.
Her Majesty greets the crowds. In the background is Dr Brynmor Jones, the University’s Vice-Chancellor
(after whom the library would be named some seven years later), and on the right is the Chancellor, The
Right Honourable Lord Middleton, Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire and Mr Loten.
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The ceremonial unveiling of the plaque in the new library. Her Majesty draws the curtain, with Lord
Middleton in attendance.
The Queen Mother shares a joke with Mr Philip Larkin, the University’s Librarian, while Lord Middleton
looks on. Mr Larkin had held the post for only five years at this time but would eventually complete 30 years
in the role. He later famously declined a Royal invitation to succeed Sir John Betjeman as Poet Laureate,
being wary of the level of media attention associated with such a public position.
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Mr Larkin watches as Her Majesty signs the University’s visitors’ book, with Lord Middleton in the
background. To the right is Dr Jones.
Dr Jones introduces The Queen Mother to Mr Le Guillou, the President of the students’ union.
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A Royal Celebration
The Queen Mother meeting representatives of the University’s international student community. Here she
is shaking hands with Mr Isaac Osemwota Aluyi, an undergraduate student from Nigeria.
Her Majesty found time to greet members of the University Council and Senate during her visit. Here, in the
Council Room, Dr Jones introduces Her Majesty to the University Registrar, Mr W D Craig. Mr Harold
Loten, MBE, the Chairman of Council looks on.
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Her Majesty greets representatives of the University’s community of international students.
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Her Majesty meeting members of University staff.
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Dr Jones, The Queen Mother and Lord Middleton. On the table is the University’s ceremonial mace, which
had been commissioned and presented to the University by Kingston upon Hull City Council in 1956 to
commemorate the institution’s fully fledged university status.
The Queen Mother is invited to inspect cadets of the Hull University Air Squadron (HUAS) Guard of Honour
by their commanding officer, Squadron Leader A B Musgrave.
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The official opening of the Enterprise Centre
His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: 11 December 2008
The Duke of Edinburgh signs the University’s visitors’ book at the official opening of the Enterprise Centre,
watched by the Vice-Chancellor of the time, Professor David Drewry.
The Duke of Edinburgh was interested in the University’s ongoing innovations. Here, Emma Toulson of the
Geography Department briefs Prince Philip.
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Royal recognition: The Queen’s Anniversary Prize
Her Majesty The Queen
13 February 1997
The University enjoyed a further royal engagement in 1996, when the Department of Social Work’s Family
Assessment and Support Unit (FASU) was awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further
Education, in recognition of its innovations in practice learning. Early the following year, a delegation
comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Dilks, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Harris, Peter
Randall, the Director of FASU, and Social Work Masters graduate Mbozi Tania Haimbe, were invited to a
ceremony at Buckingham Palace to receive a commemorative gold medal and an illuminated certificate
from Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes honour individual universities and colleges for attaining the very highest
standards of excellence in a range of activities which service and benefit the nation. The University’s social
work project was one of 23 prize winners selected by Her Majesty from almost 800 higher and further
education establishments invited to submit entries.
In the royal citation for The Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the unit was described as being “unique and of
emphatic world class”. The reference also noted that FASU “sets out a pathway in the efficient study,
teaching and resolution of recurring problems in the social services field and provides an innovative
practical basis for significant international research.”
Her Majesty The Queen presents the commemorative gold medal to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor David
Dilks. In the background, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Harris and Peter Randall, the director of
the prize-winning social work unit, wait proudly to be received.
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University of Hull
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The official Diamond Jubilee emblem
University of Hull
Cottingham Road
Hull
HU6 7RX
© University of Hull
June 2012
www.hull.ac.uk