Her Majesty the Queen visited Cambridge yesterday to open a major new University research facility and to mark the Quincentenary of the City’s second largest college.
Her Majesty the Queen visited Cambridge yesterday to open a major new University research facility and to mark the Quincentenary of the City’s second largest college.
Accompanied by the Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty was welcomed at the University Botanic Garden by the city’s Mayor, Cllr Sheila Stuart.
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, then introduced the Sainsbury Laboratory's inaugural Director, Professor Elliot Meyerowitz to the Queen.
The state-of-the-art research facility, which was made possible by an £82 million grant from the Gatsby Foundation, Lord Sainsbury’s charitable foundation, will focus on addressing some of the key environmental problems threatening the world today, including the increasing strain on the world’s food supplies.
After a tour of the new building the visit culminated with a reception for Laboratory staff and guests in the foyer where Her Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening.
In a speech before Her Majesty unveiled a plaque the Vice-Chancellor said: “The opening of the Sainsbury Laboratory is one of this century’s most significant moments in British Science. It results from the inspired philanthropy of David Sainsbury, who has worked, from the outset, in close partnership with the best academic minds both here in Cambridge and around the world.”
The Royal couple were then driven to central Cambridge for a walkabout in St John’s Street meeting members of the public, of whom an estimated 2000 had gathered.
Professor Chris Dobson Master of St John’s College, greeted the Queen at the College’s Great Gate for a visit to mark the Quincentenary of the College’s founding in April 1511. After lunch in the Combination Room the Queen and Prince Philip joined 1000 guests – a cross section of the College community of Fellows, staff and students – at a Garden Party on the Backs in brilliant sunshine.
College Domestic Bursar John Harris said: “The College is honoured and delighted that the Queen agreed to be present in the College. This visit marks the highlight of the College's Quincentenary, coming as it does within 3 weeks of the actual date the College was founded, 6 April 1511. It was a memorable afternoon.”
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