Queen Elizabeth at York
To mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, members of the York community share their stories of meeting Her Majesty, and we take a look back at her memorable visit to the University of York.
The University Charter. This document, issued by the Queen, gave permission for the University of York to begin teaching.
The University Charter. This document, issued by the Queen, gave permission for the University of York to begin teaching.
The Queen is greeted at the University of York by the Archbishop of York, Dr Donald Coggan, during her visit to the University in October 1965. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen is greeted at the University of York by the Archbishop of York, Dr Donald Coggan, during her visit to the University in October 1965. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen on Campus
The University of York was founded in 1963, following the issuing of a Letters Patent by Queen Elizabeth II.
The document, which went on to form a key part of the University Charter, granted permission for the institution to be formed "for the advancement of learning and knowledge by teaching and research and to enable students to obtain the advantages of University education".
The University of York officially opened its doors in October 1963. Contained almost entirely within Heslington Hall, it had just six departments: History, Mathematics, Politics, Economics, Education and English.
But it quickly began to expand, and just two years later the Queen was invited to officially open York's first college buildings.
Opening the Colleges
During her visit, the Queen took a tour of campus - then very small - and was invited to officially open the University's first two colleges: Derwent and Langwith.
Accompanied by Prince Philip, the Duke of York, she met with some of York's 200 students in the University Common Room, and was introduced to the Archbishop of York, Dr Donald Coggan.
Lord James, the University's Vice-Chancellor, also accompanied the Royals on a walk from Heslington Hall to the new Derwent College buildings.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meet students in the Common Room at the University of York. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh meet students in the Common Room at the University of York. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen walks from Heslington Hall to Derwent College with Lord James, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh and Prof AT Peacock, deputy Vice-Chancellor. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen walks from Heslington Hall to Derwent College with Lord James, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh and Prof AT Peacock, deputy Vice-Chancellor. Photo: The Press, York
The Queen and Prince Philip both signed the Visitor Book.
The Queen and Prince Philip both signed the Visitor Book.
The Visitor Book was signed by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 1965 visit.
The Visitor Book was signed by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 1965 visit.
Making a mark
It was not just members of the University who gathered to see Her Majesty during her visit. Photos show streets lined with people who had turned out to see the Royal visitors, with many watching from pavements or behind barriers as she passed by.
Recently discovered photos also show the Queen pausing to sign the Library's Visitor Book during her visit. The book is now stored securely in the University's archive, but displays signatures of both the Queen and Prince Philip, dated for their visit.
"The day was perfect from start to finish"
University staff look back on their meetings with the Queen ahead of the Jubilee celebrations
John Robinson
Professor John Robinson, from the Department of Electronic Engineering, met the Queen while studying for his PhD. He said:
"The attached picture is of the Queen's visit to the University of Essex in 1984. One of the things she was shown was a demonstration of my PhD research that led to our invention of a sign-language telephone.
"It was only a few moments into the visit that any of us realised it was probably a huge protocol breach to have the demo happening as she arrived, so that two people would have their backs to her, as in the photo.
"By the time the picture was taken we'd explained what she was seeing and so won the famous smile. And of course our signer colleagues later met her properly.
"I am to the left of centre; the man on the far right is Gordon Ritchie who at that time was Head of my department and who also subsequently came to York; the man facing the camera and smiling is my PhD supervisor, Don Pearson. The seated people on the left are demonstrating the system."
Professor John Robinson meets the Queen at the University of Essex in 1984.
Professor John Robinson meets the Queen at the University of Essex in 1984.
Keith Simpson attended the Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party in 2017.
Keith Simpson attended the Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party in 2017.
A glimpse of the goodies available at the Royal Garden Party.
A glimpse of the goodies available at the Royal Garden Party.
Keith Simpson
HR professional Keith is planning to join the Jubilee celebrations on the Mall this weekend - but it won't be the first time he's paid a visit to the royal residence.
"On 1 June 2017 I was lucky enough to attend a Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party and I was representing the University of York with my colleague who was the Deputy Director of HR at the time.
"My colleague kindly invited me along as she knew I'm such a massive Royalist so this was extra special. The day was perfect from start to finish, from arriving, to walking through the gates & palace and then into the gardens.
"We had perfect weather, chatted to other guests, ate sandwiches and cake, and although we didn't specifically meet any members of the Royal family this didn't take anything away from the awesomeness of the day. "
Judith Mitchell
Senior Research Administrator Judith recounts meeting the Queen at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in July 2005.
"My husband and I very much enjoyed meeting the Queen and the Duke at the Garden Party, which was held on a beautiful sunny day. We were also provided with afternoon tea, musical entertainment from a military band, and were allowed to walk round the lovely gardens of the Palace too.
"Our train to London was much delayed, and when we reached King’s Cross station on the morning of the Garden Party there was no public transport available and the queue for taxis was very long, so instead we walked a long way across London in our Sunday best to join a lunch that had been arranged for us at The Savoy Hotel.
"It was held for us together with the other six people who were to be formally introduced to the Queen that afternoon. Thankfully, we were then provided with onward transport into the grounds of Buckingham Palace by the Duchy of Lancaster. It was a lovely and very special day!"
"Private photos were not permitted, and so this official DVD is the only record we have of the event."
"Private photos were not permitted, and so this official DVD is the only record we have of the event."
"Private photos were not permitted, and so the official DVD is the only record we have of the event."
"Private photos were not permitted, and so the official DVD is the only record we have of the event."
Professor Bradshaw was awarded his CBE by the Queen.
Professor Bradshaw was awarded his CBE by the Queen.
Professor Bradshaw was awarded a CBE for services to Child Poverty.
Professor Bradshaw was awarded a CBE for services to Child Poverty.
Jonathan Bradshaw
Professor Jonathan Bradshaw met the Queen in 2005, when he was awarded a CBE for services to child poverty.
Professor Bradshaw received his CBE from the Queen during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of his role as a founding member of the York and North Yorkshire Welfare Benefits Unit.
He said: "It was a great honour and most unexpected. I don't know who nominated me, but I think probably someone in government.
"[Meeting the Queen] was very brief, but she was very friendly. I was given the CBE for services to Child Poverty and she asked me if my services were in the UK or abroad. I said both and she said 'it must be very tiring'.
"Afterwards, I went out with my wife and children to a restaurant. And that was it really!"
With thanks to all our contributors.
Got a story to share? We want to hear from any staff and students who have met the Queen. Email university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk to tell us your story.
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