UOA Chancellor to become Queen Consort
By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
photo courtesy of Anttoni Numminen
As the closest city to Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth’s longtime holiday home, Aberdeen has played host to a number of official visits and events during the seven decades of her reign.
Since her passing on 8th September, a number of prominent Aberdonians have discussed the Queen’s relationship with the Granite City.
According to Aberdeen City Council’s official remembrance webpage, Queen Elizabeth’s first official visit to Aberdeen occurred in 1944, eight years before her accession. Over the next 73 years, she made many trips to the city, including in 2012, when she officially oversaw the opening of the University’s Sir Duncan Rice Library and the renovated Marischal College Council Chambers.
Aberdeen City Council remarked, ‘Her Majesty The Queen visited Aberdeen many times and had a genuinely close relationship with the people of the Granite City.’
‘Her Majesty The Queen visited Aberdeen many times and had a genuinely close relationship with the people of the Granite City.’
‘Throughout Her Majesty’s reign and accompanied by her husband His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Her Majesty visited Aberdeen many times including on each of her jubilee years.’
On 11 September, thousands lined the roads as the Queen’s funeral cortege passed through the south of Aberdeen on its way towards Edinburgh. The convoy travelled south on Holburn Street, passing Duthie Park before crossing King George VI Bridge, named for the Queen’s father and opened in 1941.
The same day, the proclamation of the new monarch was made in Castlegate by the Sheriff of Aberdeen, accompanied by the Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron. Cameron commented, ‘King Charles III is already well-known to us through his visits to our city and the Royal Family’s association with Balmoral, and we look forward to continuing to welcome him to the North East in his reign as king.’
University Principal George Boyne also paid tribute to the Queen, saying, ‘Her Majesty’s links to the north-east of Scotland are well known through the many happy times she spent at Balmoral, and this connection means she holds a special place in the hearts of many in our University community, and the local area more widely.’
With the accession of Prince Charles to the throne, Camilla, formerly the Duchess of Cornwall, has attained the title of Queen Consort. The new King and Queen Consort have deep ties to Aberdeen, with Camilla currently serving as the Chancellor of the University.
The new King and Queen Consort have deep ties to Aberdeen, with Camilla currently serving as the Chancellor of the University.
Boyne again commented, saying, ‘We offer His Majesty King Charles our very best wishes. His Majesty has long made known his affection for this region and his dedication and commitment to education.’
‘We look forward to continuing our relationship with His Majesty and the Queen Consort, who has served as our Chancellor since 2013.’
