The Queen Consort marked her 10th year as Aberdeen University’s chancellor by touring the new science teaching hub – telling staff and students that her visits always feel like she is “coming home”.
Camilla said it was a “huge pleasure” to see the university’s new science teaching hub, which opened last year, in action.
During her visit, she spoke about the “precious time” she has spent in the north-east.
Addressing staff and students, Her Majesty said: “Coming to this university, and to this city, has always felt a bit like coming home to me.”
She said this was firstly because her father’s family “came from this part of Scotland”.
She added: “Secondly, because my husband and I are lucky enough to spend precious time each year in Aberdeenshire.
“And finally, because 10 years ago I received the great honour of being installed as chancellor of this very special university.”
Since taking on the role, she said she has “watched with pride” as the university has “gone from strength to strength”.
Her Majesty went on to detail the university’s achievements over the past decade, including its two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes and high rate of student satisfaction.
She added: “I have taken the greatest interest in all your work and have sung your praises at every opportunity.”
‘She was very engaging’
During the visit to the £39.5million facility, the chancellor met students, technicians and professors at the university and learned about the institutions outreach work with local schools.
Wearing a green woolen coat and skirt designed by Allen Roy, Camilla smiled warmly as she watched demonstrations from the different laboratories the hub boasts.
Alison Davidson who has worked at the university for over 30 years said the Queen Consort was interested to learn the reason behind the tall windows is to “break boundaries”.
The technician said: “One of the reasons is to engage the public, you can see right through the building – they wanted it to be a see-through building.
“Depending on what is on we will have the blinds open so people can look in the windows, and you do get people looking in.
“We have to break down the boundaries, especially with Stem.”
She added: “That was the first time I met her, and she was very very down to earth and put you at ease. She was very engaging.”
She added: “That was the first time I met her, and she was very very down to earth and put you at ease. She was very engaging.”
Students appreciate her ‘consistent support’
Third-year zoology student Benjamin Saber said it was “really lovely” to speak to Camilla and have her take an interest in their work.
He said: “It was really lovely, also it’s her 10-year anniversary to have her consistent support is just nice.
“She’s very pleasant and she was going around our group talking to everyone about our interests.”
As well as watching the students and technicians working away in the labs, Her Majesty learned about the university’s outreach programme with local school children.
She met with pupils from nearby Sunnybank Primary School who were learning about dinosaurs and fossils.
One of the primary six pupils excitedly ran up to show the Queen Consort a fossil he was drawing, which she told him was “quite cool”.
Camilla also spent time looking at their drawings and asking about their interests before wishing them “the best of luck” with their learning.
‘It was a really positive visit’
Rector Martina Chukwuma-Ezike said the Queen Consort was interested in her work supporting students across the institution.
She said: “She’s a lovely person, she really is and she’s so down to earth.
“I think the key event today was celebrating the 10th anniversary of her being our chancellor, so as a university we’re incredibly proud of all the contributions she makes and helping us achieve our ambitious vision of 2040.”
She was shown around the lab by Professor Graeme Paton, the university’s head of biological sciences, before hearing from principal and vice-chancellor Professor George Boyne about work being done to improve sustainability.
Mr Paton, head of biology, said she was very impressed and engaged when learning about the work staff and students carry out in the hub, as well as the work with north-east primary schools.
Mr Paton said: “We officially opened the building in June, and we always hoped she would be able to visit us. It’s great to combine the physical visit with seeing the labs along with the sustainability issue as well.
“The primary six group were looking at dinosaurs and fossils and that is a great thing to look at. They were really engaged with Her Majesty, and in fact, one of the pupils ran up to show her a specific fossil from the box.
“Outreach is essential because that’s the future Stem students and the more we can use this to promote Stem the better.
“It was a really positive visit, several of the staff she met have worked here for over 35 years, and it shows the commitment and the loyalty staff have. But also, we’ve got a lot of newer staff who are learning off experience.”
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