London Metropolitan University

The Duke today visited London Metropolitan University for the first time since he became Patron.

HRH took on the Patronage from The Duke of Edinburgh, who was Patron for sixty years. London Metropolitan University’s connection to the Royal Family began in the 1850s when Prince Albert began supporting ‘The Metropolitan Evening Classes for Young Men’, a precursor to the modern University which continues to prioritise extending access to education across social boundaries.

The Duke joined the Chairman of the Governors, Vice Chancellor, Student Union President and President-elect, and other members of the University team for a briefing on the University’s current activities and future plans.

HRH then met with young entrepreneurs from the Accelerator – the University’s business incubator based in Tech City. The Entrepreneurs briefed The Duke on their developing businesses, including an award winning surgical training tool.

The Dean of Life Sciences and Computing then escorted HRH on a tour of the Science Centre, including visits to the Dietetics Clinic and the Sports Therapy Clinic where students are learning to become health professionals.

The visit concluded with the Superlab – the largest teaching laboratory in the EU – where The Duke met students from BSc and MSc programmes.

After the visit Vice Chancellor Professor Malcolm Gillies said: “London Met is delighted that The Duke of York has taken on the Patronage from his father, The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke of Edinburgh was our Patron for 60 years and we look forward to a long and continuous involvement from The Duke of York.”