The Chancellor of the University, HRH Prince Philip The Duke Of Edinburgh, was in Cambridge yesterday for a series of engagements.

Accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, he made his first stop at Goldie Boat House, beside a flooded River Cam. He was introduced to the Blue Boat and Goldie crews and then officially named the brand new boat – “The 800th” – in which they will compete against Oxford in the Boat Race on 29th March.

At Cambridge Railway Station he unveiled the nameplate, “University of Cambridge 800 Years 1209 – 2009”, on a new train which will run the Cambridge to Liverpool Street line.

After attending a Civic Reception at the Guildhall where he and the Vice-Chancellor were welcomed by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Mike Dixon, the Chancellor went to Christ’s College to unveil a bronze statue of Charles Darwin as an undergraduate. Seated on a bench in First Court, Darwin is portrayed gazing across to his former rooms which have been restored to look as they would have done in his day.

In the evening the Chancellor attended a lecture and dinner in aid of the Galapagos Conservation Trust on the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth. Other guests included journalist Andrew Marr, who is Director of the Trust, and Sir David Attenborough.

 

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