Page 14 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

The RVC and the

Royal Family

he RVC was deeply Duke of Edinburgh, The Duchess of
saddened to record the death Cornwall, now Queen Consort and founding. On 16th April 1875 the
of Her Majesty The Queen College received its first Royal Charter
Tin September. The RVC has Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal from Queen Victoria. The RVC became
in her capacity as Vice Chancellor of the
a long and valued relationship with University of London. part of the University of London in
the Royal Family and here are just 1949 but retained its independence
a few memories from our archives The RVC’s royal roots stretch as far back with its own Royal Charter and in
taking a look at those special as 1875 and we hope this is something 1955 acquired a country estate in
relationships, associations and visits that will continue well into the future. Hertfordshire to provide a new field
we have been lucky enough to develop The Veterinary College, London, was station; today our modern and vibrant
with family members. Hawkshead Campus.
built in the parish of St Pancras in
Our patronages for the RVC and its 1791, on the current site of the RVC’s Over 230 years, the RVC has grown
registered charity, the Animal Care Camden Campus and in January 1792, from a horse infirmary with a handful
Trust, have included King George V, four students began a three-year of students to a world leading,
HRH The Prince Henry – Duke of course intended to cover all aspects science-based institution, producing
Gloucester (King George VI’s brother), of the veterinary art. King George III internationally-renowned veterinarians
The Queen Mother, Prince Philip the was monarch at the time of the RVC and scientists.

15th June 1932 HRH Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince HRH The Duchess of Cornwall officially
His Majesty King George V (1910-1936) Philip visit the RVC’s Hawkshead Campus opens Phase 3 of the Queen Mother
was Patron of the College in 1932 to officially open the Large Animal Clinical Hospital for Animals at Hawkshead
Centre and Eclipse Building (Learning Campus in 2008
Resource Centre) in 2003

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