Jubilee Blogs Part 1: Royal Visits to Hull University

 

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, here at Hull University Archives, we thought it would be fun to delve into the collections to see what ‘royal’ items we could find to celebrate in style! In this first blog, we look at all the times royalty has visited Hull University…

The University’s royal connections were formed from the very beginning. On 28 April 1928 the Duke and Duchess of York, later George VI and Queen Elizabeth, visited to lay the foundation stone of the University College of Hull. It was a grand occasion with a procession, dedication by the Archbishop of York and speech by the Duke.

Here are the main attendants at the event, including the Archbishop of York, the Duke and Duchess of York, the President of the University College Mr T. R. Ferens and the Principal of the University College, Arthur Morgan.

Guests at laying of foundation stone

This photograph shows part of the crowd during the Duke of York’s address:

Crowd at laying of foundation stone

And here is the Duke during his speech:

Duke of York's speech

This photograph shows part of the procession prior to the laying of the foundation stone.

Procession for foundation stone ceremony

And here is the actual laying of the foundation stone!

Laying the foundation stone

Laying the foundation stone

But that was not it for the newly created University College, as the very same year they were visited by another royal family member, Prince George Duke of Kent, for the formal opening of the College. Here he is with the Principal and some very excited students!

Duke of Kent at official opening

The University College then had to wait for the following decade to arrive before another royal visit, made by the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, who came to inspect the Unemployed Educational Centre.

Princes of Wales visiting Unemployed Educational Centre

The next royal visit was by Princess Mary, Princess Royal, who visited to accept an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the recently established University on 19 July 1955. The University had received its charter to award degrees in its own right in 1954. The Princess received her Honorary Degree during the University’s degree ceremony during which the new Chancellor, Baron Middleton, was also installed. Here she is with the other honorary graduates:

Princess Mary at Degree Congregation

Only two years after the Princess’ visit, in 1957, we were treated to a visit by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their first trip to Hull! Here you can see them being shown the University’s plans for the future:

Viewing University plans

Talking to University dignataries

And here on a walk around campus:

Tour of campus

A few years later, the Queen Mother visited again, on 20 June 1960 to open the new Library. Here she is getting to chat to local celebrity (and Librarian) Philip Larkin!

Philip Larkin and The Queen Mother

The University then had a long wait before the next royal visits, which were made by the Duke of Kent in 1993, followed by his wife the Duchess in 1996. The Duke visited the Research Centre in Surface Engineering whilst the Duchess came to open the Ferens Building.

Duke of Kent at the Research Centre in Surface Engineering

The University then played host to the Duke of Edinburgh who visited again in 2008 to open the New Enterprise Centre and to visit the Logistics Institute.

Here he is enjoying a 3D film demonstration:

Duke of Edinburgh at the New Enterprise Centre

And on leaving the Logistics Institute:

Duke of Edinburgh outside the Logistics Institute

Our most recent royal visit, however, has, quite fittingly, been made by the Queen herself. In 2017 she came to campus to open the Allam Medical Building.

The Queen visiting to open the Allam Building

The Queen arriving by car

Congratulations to the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee! And don't forget to look out for the second part of our Jubilee Blogs...

 

 

Verity Minniti

Archives Assistant

Hull University Archives